Zhang Zhenjie is the director of the local water supply company, a state owned enterprise. He explains these pipes date back to as early as 1976. The aging pipes are becoming more vulnerable to stress and temperature changes. But when it comes to replacing these aging pipes. Zhang Zhenjie says it's a complex issue.

Zhang Zhenjie, Spokesman of Zhengzhou Water Company, said, "We have replaced half of these pipes. But replacing the remaining half is still a daunting task. Water supply is a public service. We need bank loans, government funding, and private finance. And it's not only funding pressure, as we need cooperation with other departments such as transportation, as this is a traffic hub. So the complexity has delayed the replacement work."

New and much better quality pipes are arriving to replace the ones that failed. However, there are still many such aging pipes in daily use throughout the city.

Guan Xin, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, said, "Although the water supply has been basically resumed in just one day, the accident is still a warning to governments not only Zhengzhou, but other Chinese cities. Public service is not a profitable business. But safeguard water supply security is a long term government responsibility as it matters everyone's life."

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