SHANGHAI - According to a Chinese proverb, when you use water, respect the source.

In all forms, water shapes and nourishes life on Earth. However, demand for fresh water is already outstripping supply in many regions around the world. An estimation from Conservation International, a US-based environmental nongovernmental organization, shows that one out of every six people has no access to clean drinking water, with two lacking adequate sanitation.

The situation is even more stressful in China, where droughts, flooding, agricultural demand and development have a significant impact on clean water supply. Water conservation is one of the Chinese government's top environmental priorities and is highlighted as a key factor in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.