8.3 Problems with Groundwater Management in China
193
The unclear relationship among the current management systems. As discussed,
China has developed a range of groundwatermanagement systems, including function zones, FDZs and RDZs, water resources justification reports for construction
projects, water abstraction permits, and water resources fees. However, there is no
clearly defined relationship among these systems, including from the macro-level
to the micro-level and from a long-term to a short-term perspective. For example,
the relationship between groundwater development and protection plans or function
zones and FDZs/RDZs is sometimes confused or overlapping. Moreover, it is not
specified how the groundwater development and protection plan (or function zone,
the forbidden/limited development zone) should be applied to guide water abstraction
permit implementation.
Focusing on individual activity management. Similarly to the experience with
surface water resources management in China, initial management efforts focused
only on individual development activities, while the cumulative impact of these
activities was neglected. This narrow focus has resulted in the overdraft of resources
and total abstraction volumes that are out of control.
The poor capacity hindering management activities. In China, the technical
support for groundwater management, including monitoring, planning, and metering,
is poor. The natural resources department has set up the groundwater monitoring
network, but the monitoring site density in most regions is less than two sites per
1,000 km
2 .
5 Moreover, the data cannot be shared with the water resources department.
Due to the lack of data monitoring, poorly calibrated models are widely depended
upon to assess groundwater resources for planning purposes. The metering of groundwater abstraction is also weak: meters are only installed for centralized industrial and
urban water sources.
8.4 Suggestions to Improve Groundwater Management
in China
Developing aquifer management concept
Almost all groundwater management activities in China are conducted within jurisdictional boundaries, mainly by county water resources management departments.
Consequently, many problems have occurred because the nature of groundwater is
not reflected in these systems.
As with the river basin in surface water resources management, the concept of
aquifer management in groundwater management must be established in China.
Groundwater is formulated, evolved, developed, and protected in an aquifer context.
Conducting aquifer management in conjunction with jurisdictional management
could result in groundwater being managed on a more scientific and hydrological
5 https://www.cigem.gov.cn/dxs/.
193
The unclear relationship among the current management systems. As discussed,
China has developed a range of groundwatermanagement systems, including function zones, FDZs and RDZs, water resources justification reports for construction
projects, water abstraction permits, and water resources fees. However, there is no
clearly defined relationship among these systems, including from the macro-level
to the micro-level and from a long-term to a short-term perspective. For example,
the relationship between groundwater development and protection plans or function
zones and FDZs/RDZs is sometimes confused or overlapping. Moreover, it is not
specified how the groundwater development and protection plan (or function zone,
the forbidden/limited development zone) should be applied to guide water abstraction
permit implementation.
Focusing on individual activity management. Similarly to the experience with
surface water resources management in China, initial management efforts focused
only on individual development activities, while the cumulative impact of these
activities was neglected. This narrow focus has resulted in the overdraft of resources
and total abstraction volumes that are out of control.
The poor capacity hindering management activities. In China, the technical
support for groundwater management, including monitoring, planning, and metering,
is poor. The natural resources department has set up the groundwater monitoring
network, but the monitoring site density in most regions is less than two sites per
1,000 km
2 .
5 Moreover, the data cannot be shared with the water resources department.
Due to the lack of data monitoring, poorly calibrated models are widely depended
upon to assess groundwater resources for planning purposes. The metering of groundwater abstraction is also weak: meters are only installed for centralized industrial and
urban water sources.
8.4 Suggestions to Improve Groundwater Management
in China
Developing aquifer management concept
Almost all groundwater management activities in China are conducted within jurisdictional boundaries, mainly by county water resources management departments.
Consequently, many problems have occurred because the nature of groundwater is
not reflected in these systems.
As with the river basin in surface water resources management, the concept of
aquifer management in groundwater management must be established in China.
Groundwater is formulated, evolved, developed, and protected in an aquifer context.
Conducting aquifer management in conjunction with jurisdictional management
could result in groundwater being managed on a more scientific and hydrological
5 https://www.cigem.gov.cn/dxs/.