Axim Rozi, former deputy director of the county's water conservancy bureau, said the construction site itself lacked water and food, and workers only got three nang per day — the staple wheat bread of the region.

"Workers slept in the open air. They also didn't have machines or transportation equipment. All the work was done by human labor."

In 1985, as part of the nation's campaign to improve water quality and prevent disease, Qira invested more than 1.61 billion yuan ($243 million) to build 13 pumped wells, seven water towers and pipelines of 726 km, to change the decadeslong tradition of drinking from holes. The project helped about 82,000 people, according to Qi Zhendong, director of Qira's water conservancy bureau.

In 2005, the county further invested 870 million yuan to renovate pipelines and optimize the water supply. Qi said the bureau will work to guarantee sound operation of the water facilities, enhance automation and improve water quality alarm systems to ensure water supply for locals.