As Shanghai, a southern Chinese metropolis and co-host city of the Beijing Olympics, said it will ensure the water supply for the Olympic Games.

The local water authority says the water consumption in the city may reach the highest level ever this year soon due to continuous heat, an increasing population and economic development.

The Shanghai Water Bureau estimates that daily water usage will peak at over 10 million metric tons, up more than two percent from last year's rate.

Officials said they may limit water consumption at some entertainment sites and large factories if the increased water usage threatens the Olympic supply or daily residential needs.

Sun Qing, the vice manager of a local water company, says the company has prepared a back-up system to ensure water security for the Olympics.

"We have lots of emergency plans, dealing with cases of contamination, electrical problems, and chemical leakage（渗漏）. By training to deal with these emergencies, we will ensure the water service for the Olympics."

Authorities are using active carbon to test the water quality and prevent blue-green algae from blooming in the city's water source, the Huangpu River.

Shanghai will host some of the Olympic soccer tournaments next month.