Gu Zhengli works at a water supply point in Dahe Township, Yugu Autonomous County of Sunan, northwest China's Gansu Province, March 20, 2021.(Photo: Xinhua)
Photo taken on March 20, 2021 shows a breeding facility having access to safe tap water in Dahe Township, Yugu Autonomous County of Sunan, northwest China's Gansu Province.(Photo: Xinhua)
Gu Zhengli inspects a pipeline in Dahe Township, Yugu Autonomous County of Sunan, northwest China's Gansu Province, March 20, 2021.(Photo: Xinhua)
Gu Zhengli (1st L) and his colleagues install a pump at a water supply point in Dahe Township, Yugu Autonomous County of Sunan, northwest China's Gansu Province, March 20, 2021.(Photo: Xinhua)
Gu Zhengli, 59, has been working at the frontline of Tanggaer water conservancy project in Dahe Township for 42 years, safeguarding the safety of the drinking water for local people and livestock.
As the annual precipitation in the town is only 150 to 300 millimeters, the Tanggaer water conservancy project is literally the lifeline for local herdsmen.
Every morning, Gu gets up early and operates a pump to move water from the pumping station at the foot of the mountain to a reservoir at the top. Then he climbs to the top of the mountain at about 7 o'clock and opens the valve, letting the water in the reservoir flow to each water supply point through 7 pipelines. After that, he rides a motorcycle to 52 water supply points to check if everything runs well.
In the past 42 years, Gu has been working routinely like this. Local herdsmen always see him busy on the way along the water conservancy project. Thanks to the efforts of Gu and his colleagues, people in the area now not only can enjoy clean water but also see a balance between grass growth and livestock breeding.
At a well along the water conservancy project, local herdsmen wrote a sign which says "When drinking water, do not forget the well diggers", to show their gratitude.
"I am the son of a herdsman. It is my responsibility to let herdsmen have access to safe water." Gu always says so.
