A tranquil view of Longquan in Zhejiang province. [Photo/VCG]

As the source of the Oujiang, Minjiang, and Qiantang rivers, Longquan — a county-level city in Lishui, East China's Zhejiang province — boasts rich and fine water resources, with the total amount of water resources reaching an average of 3.7 billion cubic meters per year.

Over the past two decades, Longquan has prioritized its ecological and water protection. The city has transformed its abundant water resources into sustainable economic growth.

The once overlooked water resources now drive local economic growth through innovative projects, such as mineral water production, ecological tourism, and aquaculture.

Lishui Spring, a local mineral water brand, exemplifies this transformation. Located in Chatian town, the production facility operates at full capacity, distributing water nationwide.

The water's high metasilicic acid content and rare minerals have positioned it as a premium product, even serving prestigious events like the Hangzhou Asian Games.

Lishui Spring, a local mineral water brand in Lishui. [Photo/WeChat ID: lqgovwx]

Longquan's water resources have attracted significant investment, including 2 billion yuan ($278.77 million) invested by Zhejiang Kelun Pharmaceutical — a leading Chinese pharmaceutical enterprise that specializes in pharmaceutical infusion products. The company's success is partly due to the city's pristine environment, which reduces operational costs significantly.

The abundant water resources have also promoted the development of ecological agriculture in Longquan, especially aquaculture.

Additionally, Longquan's water resources have created stunning natural landscapes, offering more tourism attractions for visitors.