As a key section of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project prepares to go into operation, water quality tests show the battle against pollution is being won.

The first phase of the central route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project is scheduled to be launched in late October.

The water quality of 80 percent of the 49 monitored cross sections met mandatory standards last year, proving the water flowing in the central route is clean and safe, said Yu Youjun, deputy director of the State Council's office of the diversion project commission.