Leshan's "Targeted Phosphorus Control" Strategy Improves Minjiang River Water Quality

While developing its phosphorus chemical industry, Sichuan Province has also prioritized environmental protection.

According to the latest monitoring data, from January to June 2026, the total phosphorus concentration at the Yuebo national control section on the Minjiang River (Leshan section) dropped to 0.071 mg/L, a year-on-year decrease of 38.3%. The annual average concentration is expected to stabilize at or below 0.1 mg/L, with the Minjiang River (Leshan section) water quality improving from Class III in 2025 to Class II, returning to good water quality classification. These achievements are the result of Leshan's systematic water environment governance campaign centered on "targeted phosphorus control."

Leshan established a specialized task force combining key personnel with technological assistance, deploying enforcement, monitoring, and industry experts. Using big data analysis, remote sensing imagery, drone aerial surveys, and other technological tools, the city conducted an integrated "land-water-air" investigation of the Minjiang River main stream and key tributaries, comprehensively identifying pollution sources including phosphorus-related industrial enterprises, wastewater treatment facilities, large-scale livestock farms, and agricultural non-point sources. Since the beginning of 2026, inspection personnel have conducted over 50 patrols, investigated more than 100 pollution sources, and precisely identified over 20 phosphorus-related issues, providing solid data support for scientific pollution control.

Focusing on three main areas—industrial sources, domestic sources, and agricultural sources—Leshan established "problem-cause-remediation" lists and conducted monthly water quality improvement campaigns for the Minjiang River main stream and important tributaries including the Mangxi River. For phosphorus mining and phosphorus chemical enterprises, the city strengthened collection and treatment of mine water and leachate, implemented "production based on water availability" controls, and conducted regular supervisory assistance to control abnormal discharges. Urban sewage pipeline renovation and upgrades were implemented, with 85.83 kilometers of new and renovated pipelines constructed, achieving 73.05% urban domestic sewage collection and treatment rates. In agricultural non-point source management, the city surveyed 1,618 large-scale livestock farms for manure resource utilization, constructed 3 centralized manure treatment centers, and implemented standardized renovation and tailwater treatment projects on 2,300 mu of aquaculture ponds along rivers, reducing agricultural non-point source pollution entering rivers and effectively lowering total phosphorus loads.

Led by the River Chief System, Leshan's Party Secretary serves as the chief river chief for the Minjiang River (Leshan section), with city, county, town, and village-level river chiefs fulfilling comprehensive responsibilities. The city established robust mechanisms for regular patrols, supervision, and maintenance, with segmented management, assessment, and accountability. Over 28,000 patrols were conducted year-to-date, identifying and resolving 383 water-related issues. Leshan strictly enforces pollutant total replacement approval for new projects and controls phosphorus industry growth. Environmental monitoring capacity has been accelerated, with 16 water monitoring stations now operational, achieving automated monitoring coverage of the Minjiang River main stream. Over 200 pieces of equipment were added at grassroots monitoring stations, filling 20 monitoring gaps, and establishing a preliminary "sky-earth integrated, coordinated top-bottom" smart monitoring system.

Leshan will maintain its governance intensity and regulatory standards, continuing to deepen the "targeted phosphorus control" campaign to ensure sustained water quality improvement without backsliding. The city will coordinate watershed ecological protection with green development, making high-quality water environments the hallmark of Leshan's high-quality development and demonstrating greater responsibility in protecting the Yangtze River's waters.