皂河，在西汉《上林赋》中为“八水绕长安”中的“八水”之一。后因潏河改道使其成为“无源之河”，在“八水”中的地位也由潏河取代，皂河便承担起了西安南郊、西郊、北郊的排污及排洪职责。长期的工业废水和生活污水排放，使得皂河水质逐渐恶化，河流生态系统也受到了极大破坏。同时随着城市的开发建设，城区内的皂河逐渐被绿化带、城市道路、建构筑物等所覆盖，成为一条地下暗河。河道淤积严重，黑臭现象突出。

2018年11月，中央生态环境保护督察组指出“西安皂河黑臭水体整治一盖了之，长安段截污管道建设敷衍应对”等问题。2019年3月，《皂河三年专项整治计划实施方案（2018-2020年）》正式印发，对皂河进行系统性全流域综合整治。

Zao River is one of the “Eight Rivers of Chang’an” described in Chinese historical literature. After Jue River diverted, Zao River became a river without a source and the status in the “Eight Rivers” was replaced by Jue River. In that case, Zao River assumed the responsibility of sewage and flood discharge in the southern, western and northern suburbs of Xi’an. The long-term discharge of industrial wastewater and domestic sewage has gradually deteriorated the water quality of Zao River, and the river ecosystem has also been greatly damaged. At the same time, with the development and construction of the city, the urban area of Zao River is gradually covered by urban roads, road green belts, buildings, etc., becoming an underground river. The river is heavily silted, and the pollution is prominent.

In November 2018, the Central Ecological and Environmental Protection Supervision Group pointed out that the black-odorous water of Zao River has been covered up and the construction of the sewage removal pipeline in Chang’an section has been perfunctory response. In March 2019, the Implementation Plan of Zao River Three-Year Special Regulation Plan (2018-2020) was officially issued, which aims to carry out systematic and comprehensive improvement of Zao River.

根据存在问题及现状特征将皂河长安段分为三部分：东南部的上游段靠近源头，周边多为村镇，河道现状为干涸的硬质排涝渠，两岸植被生长凌乱，景观单一；城区段位于老城区，河道多被城市建设侵占，且道路狭窄，公共活动空间缺失；西北部的下游段由于排污导致水体黑臭现象严重，已经影响到了周边居民的正常生活，“一盖了之”的消极处理手段无法从根本上解决污染问题，也已经无法隐藏问题的严重性。这条见证了西安古都朝代更替的古老河流，该怎样适应现代化城市的发展，又将如何重新融入人们的生活？

According to the existing problems and site characteristics, the Chang’an section of Zao River is divided into three parts. The upstream section is close to the source, and the surrounding areas are mostly villages and towns. The current situation of the river is a dry hard drainage canal, with disorderly growth of vegetation on both sides and a single landscape. The urban section is in the old urban district where the river has been encroached upon by urban construction, the road is narrow and there is no space for public activities. In the downstream section, the pollution of the water is severe due to sewage discharge, which has affected the surrounding residents. The negative treatment method can no longer hide the seriousness of the problem. How should this ancient river that has witnessed the dynasty change of Xi’an adapt to the development of a modern city and reintegrate into people’s lives?

▼改造前后环境对比，contrast of the environment before and after renovation ©中国电建集团西北勘测设计研究院有限公司