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Many Chinese may have experienced a sinking feeling recently. Damage from sinkholes opening up across the country has cost the government an estimated RMB135.6 billion(US$18.03 billion) through 2007.

The phenomenon is another consequence of China’s breakneck development and massive population growth， which has strained natural resources， including groundwater， almost to the breaking point. In coastal cities and provinces such as Tianjin， Hebei， Shandong and Shanghai， where the groundwater accounts for 70% of the total water supply， saltwater intrusion has led to the contamination of fresh groundwater， according to Newscorners.com.

The resulting cracks in the ground can cause sinkholes and significant damage to buildings and utilities. Experts claim cities such as Shanghai and Tianjin， which are among the most affected， have slowly been sinking since the 1920s. Don’t panic yet though. Some urban areas are implementing initiatives to seriously address the problem， with Shanghai’s “Project Recharge”a high-profile example.