5.2 Water Resource Regulation in China
123
5.2.2 Annual Water Abstraction Plan
At the abstractor level, the authorized water abstraction volume for a permit holder in
a given year (or in some cases month) is determined by formulating and implementing
annual water abstraction plans according to the forecasted inflow, actual water use,
and sectoral water use quotas. The annual water abstraction plan is the basis of the
annual water abstraction cap. The annual water abstraction plan for the key state
rivers and lakes is formulated by RBOs with relevant provincial water resources
departments. The annual abstraction plan above the county level shall be formulated
by WAD of the local governments with reference to the annual water resources
allocation plan and annual water abstraction plan issued by the water resources
department of the upper level government or RBO (Article 39, 2006 Regulation on
the Management of Water Abstraction Permits and Water Resources Fee Collection).
Before 31 December each year, water abstractors must submit summary reports
of the year and proposals for the following year to the permit approval agency. The
hydropower project shall submit the power generation plan for the following year, and
the public water supply project shall attach the following year’s water demand plan
for key users in the supply scope (Article 35, 2008 Water Abstraction Management
Methods).
According to the following year’s annual water abstraction plan for the region and
water abstraction proposal by water abstractor, the permit approval agency will issue
the following year’s annual water abstraction plan for the water abstraction unit before
31 January, as per the principles of comprehensive coordination and balance and with
reserve. The approved annual abstraction volume must not exceed the volume on the
permit. The abstractor shall follow the plan as well as the return flow. If the water
abstractor needs to change the annual plan, such as by enlarging production, it must
be agreed to by the approval agency (Article 39, 2006 Regulation on the Management
of Water Abstraction Permits and Water Resources Fee Collection; Article 36, 38,
and 39, 2008 Water Abstraction Management Methods).
Additionally, the approval agency will limit the annual abstraction volume if (1)
water resources cannot meet the normal supply to the regions due to natural reasons;
(2) there are severe impacts on functions and the environment in the water function
zone due to water abstraction and return flow; (3) there is a geological disaster, such
as land subsistence, from groundwater overdraft and exploitation; and (4) there are
other special reasons that limit abstraction. In cases of severe drought, the emergency
control on abstraction can be applied.
5.2.3 Annual/Seasonal Water Use Plan
Within irrigation districts, an irrigation water use plan is developed to manage
seasonal water use. The “Code of Practice of Technical Management of Irrigation
123
5.2.2 Annual Water Abstraction Plan
At the abstractor level, the authorized water abstraction volume for a permit holder in
a given year (or in some cases month) is determined by formulating and implementing
annual water abstraction plans according to the forecasted inflow, actual water use,
and sectoral water use quotas. The annual water abstraction plan is the basis of the
annual water abstraction cap. The annual water abstraction plan for the key state
rivers and lakes is formulated by RBOs with relevant provincial water resources
departments. The annual abstraction plan above the county level shall be formulated
by WAD of the local governments with reference to the annual water resources
allocation plan and annual water abstraction plan issued by the water resources
department of the upper level government or RBO (Article 39, 2006 Regulation on
the Management of Water Abstraction Permits and Water Resources Fee Collection).
Before 31 December each year, water abstractors must submit summary reports
of the year and proposals for the following year to the permit approval agency. The
hydropower project shall submit the power generation plan for the following year, and
the public water supply project shall attach the following year’s water demand plan
for key users in the supply scope (Article 35, 2008 Water Abstraction Management
Methods).
According to the following year’s annual water abstraction plan for the region and
water abstraction proposal by water abstractor, the permit approval agency will issue
the following year’s annual water abstraction plan for the water abstraction unit before
31 January, as per the principles of comprehensive coordination and balance and with
reserve. The approved annual abstraction volume must not exceed the volume on the
permit. The abstractor shall follow the plan as well as the return flow. If the water
abstractor needs to change the annual plan, such as by enlarging production, it must
be agreed to by the approval agency (Article 39, 2006 Regulation on the Management
of Water Abstraction Permits and Water Resources Fee Collection; Article 36, 38,
and 39, 2008 Water Abstraction Management Methods).
Additionally, the approval agency will limit the annual abstraction volume if (1)
water resources cannot meet the normal supply to the regions due to natural reasons;
(2) there are severe impacts on functions and the environment in the water function
zone due to water abstraction and return flow; (3) there is a geological disaster, such
as land subsistence, from groundwater overdraft and exploitation; and (4) there are
other special reasons that limit abstraction. In cases of severe drought, the emergency
control on abstraction can be applied.
5.2.3 Annual/Seasonal Water Use Plan
Within irrigation districts, an irrigation water use plan is developed to manage
seasonal water use. The “Code of Practice of Technical Management of Irrigation