The U.S. recently played host to 14 visitors from the Chinese city of Chongqing, located at the confluence of the Jialing and Yangtze River and upstream from the Three Gorges Dam, who toured North American sites last year to learn more about water pollution treatment technologies. The visitors planned to pick up methods and technologies to help manage a power and water system that serves millions of residents.

During their travels, they met with industry representative such as IBM and Auburn Systems while visiting the University of Vermont. They attended lectures and talked with researchers at the school and toured area water management systems.

The Three Gorges Dam project will eventually produce a reservoir that will stretch some 400 miles and produce electricity and drinking water to support their growing economy. One of the challenges they currently face is the quality of the water until the system reaches equilibrium. The water is turbid and must currently be treated before use. The scientists from China were interested in the clear waters they witnessed during their visits and look forward to their water quality reaching the same or better standards.

“Learning about all these advanced technologies and ideas will be very useful to us back in our city in China, said GuoYijun, one of the leaders for the delegation. “The water in Lake Champlain inspires us.” The Three Gorges Dam represents the largest hydroelectric project in the world.