BEIJING, May 9 (Xinhua) -- China has made huge strides in water conservation with cities nationwide saving 6.5 billion cubic meters of water annually, up 62 percent from 2012 levels, official data showed.
The water-use efficiency in urban areas is higher than that used for agriculture, Han Yu, deputy director of the urban construction department of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, said at a press conference.
Urban water consumption accounts for 10 percent of the country's total water use but supports over 70 percent of the gross domestic product.
The ministry will continue to popularize water-saving ideas and tips in communities and promote the construction and improvement of water supply, drainage and sewage treatment facilities to further raise urban water use efficiency, Han said.
Over the past five years, 25 cities have won the title of "national water-saving city."
