WUXI, June 4 (Xinhua) -- East China's Wuxi City is developing a plan to improve the treatment of waste water after residents endured days of stinking tap water caused by a bloom of blue-green algae that polluted the city's famous and once-scenic Taihu Lake.

    "We will soon divert more water from the Yangtze River into the lake and improve treatment of domestic sewage," said Wuxi Mayor Mao Xiaoping.

    Currently, the wastewater that is treated by factories and sewage plants is still polluting Taihu Lake, according to environment protection experts.

    "The current water crisis makes us more determined in cleaning up Taihu Lake," Mao said.

    Tap water in the city of two million returned to normal on Sunday afternoon, ending a water crisis that began on May 28 when a blue-green algae bloom on Taihu Lake formed a scum on the surface and produced unpleasant tastes and odors in tap water.

    Over the past few days, many residents bought bottled water for cooking, drinking and bathing.

    Experts finally succeeded in getting rid of the stench by using an oxidant and adding active carbon powder at treatment plants.

    Water was also diverted from the Yangtze River to dilute the lake.

    However, an official with the Wuxi bureau of environment protection said the water quality of Taihu Lake would remain poor if organic substance and metallic elements were not removed.

    Taihu Lake, which was once a famous scenic attraction known for its aquatic life, including shrimps, lily and water chestnuts, has been heavily polluted by industry, agriculture and domestic waste.