This is the city of Hechi in southern China.<br/> And this is a major river nearby - laden with toxic runoff.<br/> Officials here have warned some 3.7 million residents to avoid drinking this water after discovering it contains shockingly high levels of cadmium.<br/> The metal, which can cause cancer, is believed to have been dumped into the river by a nearby factory, according to Chinese media.<br/> Workers tried to neutralize the cadmium by pouring other chemicals into the river - to no avail.<br/> Water pollution is a major problem in China, where the environment often takes a back seat to industrial growth.<br/> Andrew Raven, Reuters
