Home / Environment / West Lake Clarifies: Bleach For Lotus Health
West Lake Clarifies: Bleach For Lotus Health
9 Apr
Summary
- Annual operation uses 7 tons of bleaching powder for lotus plant protection.
- Disinfectant decomposes naturally within one to two days, minimizing impact.
- Operations occur at night in designated zones to limit tourism disruption.
Public concern arose on Sina Weibo regarding a trending claim of 7 metric tons of bleaching powder being spread across West Lake. Officials from the Hangzhou West Lake Water Area Administration clarified that this is a routine annual measure, conducted for nearly 30 years to protect the lake's lotus plants.
This operation, vital during the lotus's critical April growth stage, combats pests, pathogens, and algae that compete for nutrients and damage buds. The bleaching powder, mainly calcium hypochlorite, acts as a compliant disinfectant. Authorities emphasized that the 7,000 kilograms are applied in stages across 24 zones totaling about 10 hectares, exclusively at night to avoid visitor disruption.
Strict procedures include workers operating by boat and raising protective nets to allow fish to escape treatment zones. The lotus planting areas, covering only about 1 percent of the lake's surface, are isolated. This maintenance ensures the health of lotus rhizomes and prepares for the anticipated blooming of 2026 lotus buds by late May.
