The Ministry of Water Resources responded to The Paper, stating that the water consumption per ten thousand yuan of GDP in the water-receiving areas of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project has decreased by over 40% in the past decade.
December 12, 2024, marks the tenth anniversary of the full operation of the Eastern and Central Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project. On that day, the State Council Information Office held a press conference where Wang Daoxi, Vice Minister of Water Resources, introduced the situation regarding the tenth anniversary of the full operation of the Eastern and Central Route and answered questions from reporters.
Water conservation is a prerequisite for inter-basin water transfer. How has the water-receiving area managed the conservation and intensive use of water resources since the South-to-North Water Diversion Project began operation?
In response to this question posed by The Paper, Wang Daoxi stated that the Ministry of Water Resources insists on a dual approach of “water diversion and water conservation,” viewing water conservation as the fundamental solution for the water-receiving area, and aims to comprehensively enhance the level of water resource conservation and intensive use in the area.
Wang noted that last year, the water consumption per ten thousand GDP in the seven provinces and municipalities of the water-receiving area was 35.7 cubic meters, and the water consumption per ten thousand industrial added value was 30.6 cubic meters. Compared to 2014, the water consumption per ten thousand GDP decreased by 41.3%, and the water consumption per ten thousand industrial added value decreased by 36.2%.
Looking at the water efficiency levels in the water-receiving areas of Beijing and Tianjin, they are currently among the best in the country.
Wang Daoxi stated that over the past decade, the Ministry of Water Resources has adhered to the principle of prioritizing water conservation, guiding the provinces and municipalities in the water-receiving area to establish provincial-level water conservation regulations. Additionally, it has collaborated with the National Development and Reform Commission to formulate and issue comprehensive water conservation guidelines for the water-receiving area of the Eastern and Central Route, promoting the establishment of a dual control index system for total water consumption and intensity at the provincial, municipal, and county levels. Efforts have also been made to advance the construction of a water-saving society in the water-receiving area and to implement the Water Efficiency Leader initiative. The Ministry has continuously strengthened the utilization of unconventional water resources, striving to expand the fields and scale of unconventional water use.
“Last year, the utilization of unconventional water in the provinces and municipalities of the water-receiving area reached 9.14 billion cubic meters, which is significant and roughly equivalent to the annual water diversion volume of the first phase of the Central Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project,” Wang Daoxi said. The Ministry is promoting the reform of the market mechanism for water conservation in the water-receiving area, introducing a product called “water-saving loans,” and formulating policies and measures to support the development of the water-saving industry. It has also established guidelines for citizens’ water-saving behaviors to encourage public responsibility in water conservation and set up a number of water-saving science popularization venues along the South-to-North Water Diversion Project to foster a culture of valuing and cherishing water.
In May of this year, the “Water Conservation Regulations” were officially implemented, providing specific and clear provisions for fulfilling water conservation obligations, strengthening water management, and enhancing water-saving measures. Wang Daoxi stated that moving forward, the Ministry of Water Resources will earnestly implement this regulation and firmly carry out the important instructions from the General Secretary, ensuring the effective use of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project while maximizing the comprehensive benefits of the project, and prioritizing water conservation to manage water resources meticulously and rigorously.
