214
9 Water Quality Management
Water Pollution Control Law clarifies that the pollutant discharge outlet shall be established according to legislations and MEE’s provision and follows MWR’s provision
for rivers and lakes. After the 2018 governmental restructuration, the management
of wastewater discharge outlets into water bodies is handled by MEE.
Among these permits, the MWR is responsible for abstraction permit management of wastewater discharge outlets into water bodies, the MOHURD is in charge
of drainage permits, and the MEE is in charge of pollutant discharge permits. Coordination of the tasks related to the four discharge permits remains a problem even
after the 2018 governmental restructuration.
9.3.7 Economic Incentives
The economic incentives discussed in Chap. 7 have direct or indirectly had an impact
on water quality. In addition to these, other incentives are applied in China as well.
Article 13 of the Environmental Protection Tax Law promotes pollution control
by way of tax reductions. If the concentration of taxed water pollutants is lower than
30% of the standards, 75% of the tax will be levied; if lower than 50%, 50% of the
tax will be applied.
9.3.8 River/Lake Chief System
The river/lake chief system, which will be discussed in Chap. 11, is a new system
developed in recent years to manage rivers and lakes. Article 5 of the 2017 Water
Pollution Control Law stipulates that the river chief system is developed in provinces,
prefectures, counties, and towns to organize water resources protection, river coastal
line management, water pollution control, and water environmental control by
administrative levels and river sections.
The introduction of a river/lake chief system in China aims to clarify and
strengthen governmental supervision and management responsibility. Referring to
cross-administration issues and unclear rights and responsibilities, the 2017 Water
Pollution Control Law clarifies that the local government is responsible for water
environmental quality within the jurisdiction, and the introduction of the river/lake
chief system demands that regional leadership organize and implement water
pollution control as well as ecological protection and restoration.
9.3.9 Drinking Water Source Protection Zone
In terms of drinking water sources, 2017 Water Pollution Control Law establishes a
drinking water source protection zone system, consisting of primary and secondary
protection zones, and the quasi-protection zone outside of the protection zone if
necessary (Article 63).
9 Water Quality Management
Water Pollution Control Law clarifies that the pollutant discharge outlet shall be established according to legislations and MEE’s provision and follows MWR’s provision
for rivers and lakes. After the 2018 governmental restructuration, the management
of wastewater discharge outlets into water bodies is handled by MEE.
Among these permits, the MWR is responsible for abstraction permit management of wastewater discharge outlets into water bodies, the MOHURD is in charge
of drainage permits, and the MEE is in charge of pollutant discharge permits. Coordination of the tasks related to the four discharge permits remains a problem even
after the 2018 governmental restructuration.
9.3.7 Economic Incentives
The economic incentives discussed in Chap. 7 have direct or indirectly had an impact
on water quality. In addition to these, other incentives are applied in China as well.
Article 13 of the Environmental Protection Tax Law promotes pollution control
by way of tax reductions. If the concentration of taxed water pollutants is lower than
30% of the standards, 75% of the tax will be levied; if lower than 50%, 50% of the
tax will be applied.
9.3.8 River/Lake Chief System
The river/lake chief system, which will be discussed in Chap. 11, is a new system
developed in recent years to manage rivers and lakes. Article 5 of the 2017 Water
Pollution Control Law stipulates that the river chief system is developed in provinces,
prefectures, counties, and towns to organize water resources protection, river coastal
line management, water pollution control, and water environmental control by
administrative levels and river sections.
The introduction of a river/lake chief system in China aims to clarify and
strengthen governmental supervision and management responsibility. Referring to
cross-administration issues and unclear rights and responsibilities, the 2017 Water
Pollution Control Law clarifies that the local government is responsible for water
environmental quality within the jurisdiction, and the introduction of the river/lake
chief system demands that regional leadership organize and implement water
pollution control as well as ecological protection and restoration.
9.3.9 Drinking Water Source Protection Zone
In terms of drinking water sources, 2017 Water Pollution Control Law establishes a
drinking water source protection zone system, consisting of primary and secondary
protection zones, and the quasi-protection zone outside of the protection zone if
necessary (Article 63).