Floating farms help purify Qiandao Lake in Zhejiang

In Chun'an County, east China's Zhejiang Province, workers have braved the summer heat to replant water spinach on floating islands in Qiandao Lake. These seasonal crops are carefully selected for their ability to thrive in warm weather and contribute to water purification.

The replanting is part of a broader ecological initiative by Chun'an County to protect the lake's water quality. A total of 110 mu (7.3 hectares) of floating islands have been deployed in key areas, including reservoir bays, river inlets, and sewage treatment plant outlets.

These islands feature water-purifying plants such as water celery and water spinach, combined with carbon fiber biofilms. This system improves nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiency by up to 30 percent, using plant absorption, microbial breakdown, and sedimentation.

Beyond purification, the floating platforms provide new habitats for birds and fish, increasing local biodiversity by 20 percent. They form a self-sustaining ecosystem that balances underwater forests, aquatic animals, and microorganisms.