Guangzhou Bureau of Water Conservancy has promised to further expand patrols and testing to ensure both medical and domestic sewage meet requirements before getting discharged in this Guangdong provincial capital.

According to a statement released by the bureau, a special task force was established on Jan 25 to focus on fighting against illegal sewage discharges in the entire southern metropolis.

"The move aims to prevent and control the spread of the novel coronavirus through the manure and sewage from the city's underground sewage pipeline networks," said the statement released on Tuesday.

"Officials and staff from the special task force will take samples from more water intakes and expand tests to ensure the city's discharged sewage meets the State's requirements," the statement said.

Meanwhile the bureau has introduced more effective and concrete measures to ensure the quality of tap water supplied to local households to prevent and control the outbreak of the deadly disease in the city that has a population of more than 16 million.

The bureau has urged the city's water supply company to go to all lengths to protect water sources and expand patrol and testing in water purification and disinfection, and water quality detection in strict accordance with the relevant standards; strengthen the inspection of water supply equipment; implement strict 24-hour monitoring and detection of water sources and water quality; and strengthen the control of the water disinfection process in the weeks to come.