Download A spring located in a small village in Zhejiang province has been inundated with visitors after rumors circulated that its water can cure various illnesses. But lab test results show that the water does not have any so-called miraculous effects, only excessive bacteria. Shicangxia village in Wenling city, Zhejiang province, was the most crowded spot in the region over the recent Golden Week holiday, with people from across China lining up for hours to take the spring water. "Local villagers have been short of water ever since all these people rushed to take the spring water, which is one of the major water sources for them," said a village official surnamed Chen. Rumors of the magical effects of the spring water started to spread after a local man washed his feet in the spring and his skin condition disappeared. After telling his relatives and friends about his improved health, which he attributed to washing in the spring water, the news of his "miracle" spread throughout the region. People from nearby villages, counties and cities arrived with trucks and cars to take the water. "The news was reported in the local media, which brought even more people from different places to our village to drink and take away the spring water for its magical effects," said a village woman surnamed Li. She said the village has run out of water for daily use and has been forced to buy water at double the regular cost from neighboring villages. She said the tourists were taking the water 24 hours a day over several days. |