Toxic from the Tap

The water that flows from the Xiang River and into faucets of residents has been tainted from the source for decades. The central government classified the water as toxic in the1980s and water experts say the river's water is so concentrated with cancer-causing heavy metals that regular treatment systems have collapsed.

On the banks of the Xiang River, around 40 million people derive their livelihoods and live in Hunan Province alone.