WORK began yesterday on a project that will supply cleaner tap water to some 6.5 million residents in Shanghai’s suburban districts and serve as a main backup source for downtown residents.

The Huangpu River Upstream Water Source Project will include a new Jinze reservoir along the Taipu River in Qingpu District and two major pipelines connecting with the city’s main Qingcaosha Reservoir.

The project, costing 7.6 billion yuan (US$1.2 billion) is due for completion by the end of next year.