The Taibai Lake Wetland Park of Jining city transforms into a national wetland park due to its exemplary wetland management. [Photo/Qilu News]

The Taibai Lake Wetland Park of Jining city, Shandong province, an artificial wetland along the old Grand Canal, has been transformed into a national wetland park due to its exemplary wetland management.

Located near the northern tip of Nansi Lake, the park serves as a crucial purification point of wastewater before it is discharged into the Nansi Lake, a convergence point for 34 rivers and a key link in the South-to-North Water Diversion Project.

In a pioneering move, Jining adopted a "wastewater treatment plant + artificial wetland" model which saw inefficient lands converted into 44 wastewater treatment plants with artificial wetlands.

Through a sequential filtration process involving plants, animals, microorganisms, and soil, nearly 75,000 metric tons of wastewater are turned into Class III quality surface water daily. This has significantly enhanced Taibai Lake's water quality.

"The method employs state-of-the-art artificial wetland technology and highly sophisticated processes. The treated water is crystal clear and odor-free," said Wang Hongchun, chief engineer of the North Lake Resort Division at the Jining Ecology and Environment Bureau.

He added that most organic pollutants are naturally removed by plants as the wastewater flows over the wetland surface. This method, he pointed out, is cost-effective and simple to operate.

As one of the 25 global International Wetland Cities, Jining has been strategically exploring ways to convert wetland ecological values, yielding approximately 3 billion yuan ($411.43 million) in economic output each year through ventures like pearl cultivation, fisheries, and tourism.