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8 Groundwater Management
In terms of zoning, the 2002 Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Groundwater
Resources Management Regulation defines a different zoning system, consisting of
a groundwater-suitable development zone, RDZ, overdraftzone, and FDZ.
Groundwater resources should not be managed according to surface-level boundaries between urban and rural areas. Historically, however, some cities have issued
groundwater management methods for urban areas, such as Hangzhou in Zhejiang
Province, according to the 1993 Management Provisions for Urban Groundwater
Development, Use and Protection proposed by the Ministry of Construction. These
methods were drafted and formulated by the construction department, and normally
defined the closure of wells in areas covered by public water supply systems and
the approval procedures and requirements for groundwater development. A controversial aspect of these urban methods is that they often define the urban and rural
construction departments’ roles in groundwater management, which results in institutional conflicts with the water resources departments. After the water sector institutional reform in 2008, the Ministry’s Provisions were revoked in 2011, while the
local methods were revoked or amended. Additionally, some cities have issued urban
groundwater resources management methods, such as Beihai in the Guangxi Zhuang
Minority Autonomous Region and Zhengjiang in Jiangsu Province.
The above summary indicates that, like most countries and regions, China applies
the same management framework for both surface water and groundwater. The
present groundwater management legislation is separable and local. Specific national
legislation has not yet been issued, and most provincial legislation is included in
general water legislation. However, current local legislation is too simplistic, while
the defined management systems cannot provide effective solutions to groundwater
problems (Dong et al. 2012). More seriously, most systems are used for quantitative
management, while groundwater quality management is almost non-existent.
8.2.2 Institution
Under the 2002 Water Law, China’s water resources management institutional
arrangements combine a river basin management approach with the country’s jurisdictional framework. The MWR established under the State Council is responsible
for national water resources management and supervision, while the water resources
departments of sub-national governments are responsible for water resources
management and supervision in their jurisdictions. The RBOs set up by the MWR in
the key river basins undertake water resources management and supervision duties
according to legislation and the devolution of administrative responsibilities by the
MWR (Article 12). Related departments, such as the MEP, are tasked with the activities of water resources development, use, and saving and protection in jurisdictions,
according to the relevant responsibility arrangements (Article 13).
The 2012 Regulation on Urban Groundwater Management in Hangzhou allocates responsibility for groundwater resources development, use, and protection to
the urban water supply administrative department (Article 3), which also conducts
8 Groundwater Management
In terms of zoning, the 2002 Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Groundwater
Resources Management Regulation defines a different zoning system, consisting of
a groundwater-suitable development zone, RDZ, overdraftzone, and FDZ.
Groundwater resources should not be managed according to surface-level boundaries between urban and rural areas. Historically, however, some cities have issued
groundwater management methods for urban areas, such as Hangzhou in Zhejiang
Province, according to the 1993 Management Provisions for Urban Groundwater
Development, Use and Protection proposed by the Ministry of Construction. These
methods were drafted and formulated by the construction department, and normally
defined the closure of wells in areas covered by public water supply systems and
the approval procedures and requirements for groundwater development. A controversial aspect of these urban methods is that they often define the urban and rural
construction departments’ roles in groundwater management, which results in institutional conflicts with the water resources departments. After the water sector institutional reform in 2008, the Ministry’s Provisions were revoked in 2011, while the
local methods were revoked or amended. Additionally, some cities have issued urban
groundwater resources management methods, such as Beihai in the Guangxi Zhuang
Minority Autonomous Region and Zhengjiang in Jiangsu Province.
The above summary indicates that, like most countries and regions, China applies
the same management framework for both surface water and groundwater. The
present groundwater management legislation is separable and local. Specific national
legislation has not yet been issued, and most provincial legislation is included in
general water legislation. However, current local legislation is too simplistic, while
the defined management systems cannot provide effective solutions to groundwater
problems (Dong et al. 2012). More seriously, most systems are used for quantitative
management, while groundwater quality management is almost non-existent.
8.2.2 Institution
Under the 2002 Water Law, China’s water resources management institutional
arrangements combine a river basin management approach with the country’s jurisdictional framework. The MWR established under the State Council is responsible
for national water resources management and supervision, while the water resources
departments of sub-national governments are responsible for water resources
management and supervision in their jurisdictions. The RBOs set up by the MWR in
the key river basins undertake water resources management and supervision duties
according to legislation and the devolution of administrative responsibilities by the
MWR (Article 12). Related departments, such as the MEP, are tasked with the activities of water resources development, use, and saving and protection in jurisdictions,
according to the relevant responsibility arrangements (Article 13).
The 2012 Regulation on Urban Groundwater Management in Hangzhou allocates responsibility for groundwater resources development, use, and protection to
the urban water supply administrative department (Article 3), which also conducts