China will ensure all poor farmers have safe drinking water by the end of next year, as the country works to eradicate absolute poverty in about 18 months, a senior official said June 27.

Tian Xuebin, vice-minister of water resources, said improving water security for up to 60 million rural residents will be his priority before 2021, and the task begins with impoverished families.

Tian said more than 1 million people still grappled with water shortages by the end of last year. His ministry has relieved difficulties for 283,000 in the first five months this year, he said.

“We aim to enable a total of 800,000 poor farmers to access safe drinking water by the end of the year, and supplies will reach all poor families by end of next year,”he said.

Efforts will also be made to tackle problems such as excessive fluoride and insufficient supply, he added.

Tian was speaking at a news conference held by the State Council Information Office to brief on the latest progress in rural water security.

Central government in June decided to provide 60 million rural residents with safe drinking water before 2021.

Figures provided by the Ministry of Water Resources show China has built a water supply network that covers 940 million rural residents since the founding of People’s Republic of China in 1949.

About 86 percent of villages now have access to a centralized water supply, and 81 percent have tap water, the ministry said.

Safe drinking water was in recent years listed as a critical criterion for poverty reduction. Other criteria include a minimum annual income of 2,300 yuan ($334), access to basic education and health service, and safe housing.