Villagers in eastern China are poised to resume protests after officials failed to keep a promise to close factories that are poisoning the air and water.

The government of Huashui township in Zhejiang province had promised to close 13 plants that produce pesticides, fluorides and insecticides by Aug. 26, but only one has been dismantled so far, the South China Morning Post reported Friday.

Villagers say pollution from the factories is causing respiratory problems and birth defects.

The provincial government had ordered the chemical complex to close in April last year because the factories had been built on land illegally procured from farmers, but the order was not enforced.

All 13 had also been ordered to close, either permanently or pending inspections, by provincial environmental authorities, the report said.

This year in April, residents of several villages set up barricades to block deliveries to the plants in an effort to force the local government to pay attention to their plight.

A riot ensued, involving the villagers and 1,500 police and local officials, and resulting in the arrest of at least 17 villagers. The local government then promised to close the factories by Aug. 26. With the passing of the deadline, villagers are threatening to take to the streets again.