MACAO, Feb. 23 (Xinhuanet) -- Macao Water Co. Ltd said Thursday that the monopoly tap water supplier will grant a salinity relief worth 10 million patacas (1.25 million U.S. dollars) to the people in Macao.

    A statement issued by the company said the salinity level is expected to hike to 700 mg/l in the region next week, while the World Health Organization defines the standard level for drinking water at 250 mg/l.

    Macao, counting the water supply on Xijiang River which is originated in Guangdong province, has long been enduring the salinity crisis caused by the intake of the sea water during the winter season.

    However, the salinity crisis this year is the worst in history,Franklin Willemyns, executive director of Macao Water Thursday was quoted by Macao Post Daily as saying.

    The company though has no plan to ration water in Macao, Willemyns said.

    Macao Water will try its best to provide people with a stable water supply, Willemyns told the newspaper. Enditem