CHINA plans to build 27 water conservation projects in 2015 with overall spending on water to increase from last year’s 488 billion yuan (US$79 billion), the Xinhua news agency reported Tuesday.

    The report, citing a water ministry official, did not specify the size of the increase.

    Private funding will be prioritized, the report said, citing a document jointly issued by the top economic planning agency and other government bodies.

    The increased water spending is part of China’s broader effort to support economic growth through fiscal measures.

    The new projects will join 57 already under construction and will mostly be located in central and western China. The projects include agricultural water conservation, water diversion, large-scale irrigation and water source management.(SD-Agencies)