It took three years from 2008 to 2011 to fully complete the eco-salvage of the Futian River, including planning and all civil engineering work.

Stage one: Work started along 3.1 km of the main artery of the river to reinforce the capability of flood control. Lakes were created for flood discharge. Culverts and tunnels are built to divert floodwater.

Stage two: To increase efficiency in wastewater collection, 6.78 km of sluiceways and a 20,000 cubic-meter catchment reservoir were built. With this system in place, rainfall, as well as 135,000 cubic meters of wastewater per day in the dry season are collected, then diverted to treatment plants for recycling.