BEIJING -- China will encourage more social investment to team up with the government in water pollution prevention and control, according to a guideline issued on Wednesday.

The efforts will first focus on drinking water sources, and additional areas of water pollution prevention and control will be opened for public investment, said the guideline, jointly issued by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP).

Water pollution prevention and control, including river protection, drinking water safety and environmental monitoring, currently depend on government investment.

The guideline said an investment-return system should be set up to attract social capital to expand financing channels.

Expanded investment will help intensify the government's fight against water pollution and implement the Action Plan for Water Pollution Prevention and Control, which was released on April 16, said Zhao Hualin, an MEP official.