Local officials have apologized for the milk-colored pollution which has appeared in the Xiaojiang River in Yunnan province, People's Daily reported.

The Dongchuan district government in Kunming, Yunnan province apologized for the local polluted river on April 11, 2013.

There are 45 enterprises alongside the polluted section of the river and 34 of them have been suspended as an investigation is underway.The polluting discharge outlets were dismantled by the Dongchuan District Environment Bureau on April 3.

The river which appears milk white was dubbed 'milk river' by the media. Villagers said they dare not use the river water for irrigation since it causes production reduction.

A villager named Mei Yongfang who lives nearby the river, said he introduces drinking water from more then ten kilometers away.

A villager fetches water from the polluted river after the water supply for his home has been cut for half a month in Kunming, Yunnan province on March 20, 2013. [Photo by Guo Tieliu/ Asianewsphoto]