 The dam catalyzed improved upstream wastewater treatment around Chongqing and its suburban areas . According to the Ministry of Environmental Protection , as of April 2007 more than 50 new plants could treat 1 @.@ 84 million tonnes per day , 65 % of the total need . About 32 landfills were added , which could handle 7 @,@ 664 @.@ 5 tonnes of solid waste every day . Over one billion tons of wastewater are released annually into the river , which was more likely to be swept away before the reservoir was created . This has left the water looking stagnant , polluted and murky . 
