12.3 Key Tasks: Three Red Lines
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subject to river basin unified regulation, as well as regulation for hydropower development, water supply, and navigation, among others. Once the water resources regulation plans, emergency regulation plan, and regulation plan are approved, the relevant
governments and departments must obey.
12.3.2 Strengthening Management of Water-Use Efficiency
Redline to Promote Water-Saving Society Development
Reinforcing management of water saving
The government, at all levels, will fulfill its responsibilities to build a water-saving
society and encourage people to save water in all aspects of their economic and social
activities. Institutions and mechanisms helpful to water saving shall be developed
and improved. Water pricing reform needs to be promoted step by step. All water
diversion, abstraction, and supply projects must consider water saving as their first
priority. In regions facing water shortages or which are ecologically vulnerable, the
over-expansion of urban areas shall be controlled, while water-intensive industrial
projects and services shall be limited, and water wastage in agriculture shall be
constrained.
Strengthening quota management for water use
National standards for water-use quotas are needed for water-intensive industries and
sectors. Provincial governments shall revise sectoral water-use quotas in line with
the targets defined by the “red line.” The planned water-use management need to be
tightened for units with water abstraction permits and other big water users. A list of
key users of water shall be developed to strengthen water-use monitoring. Any new,
expanded, and revised building projects shall compile water-saving plans, which
will include the simultaneous design, construction, and operation of a water-saving
facility in tandem with the main building. Violation of this directive will result in the
stopping of water abstraction and rectification by RBO or WAD.
Accelerating technical rehabilitation for water saving
Compulsory standards will be introduced to provide authentication marks that identify water-efficient products. Products which do not meet these standards will be
banned from sale. In order to improve irrigation efficiency, policies will be made
to develop a water-saving irrigation industry and to improve technical services
and financial allocation to subsidize pipes, sprinklers, and micro-irrigation systems.
Pilot projects for water saving in industries will be initiated with a focus on technical rehabilitation. Industrial water-saving targets will be developed in accordance
with water-use and saving potential. An elimination list for lagged and high waterconsumption processes, facilities, and products will be formulated and issued by
relevant departments. Urban water saving will be expanded through pilot demonstrations, the promotion of water-saving appliances, and the reduction of leakages in
263
subject to river basin unified regulation, as well as regulation for hydropower development, water supply, and navigation, among others. Once the water resources regulation plans, emergency regulation plan, and regulation plan are approved, the relevant
governments and departments must obey.
12.3.2 Strengthening Management of Water-Use Efficiency
Redline to Promote Water-Saving Society Development
Reinforcing management of water saving
The government, at all levels, will fulfill its responsibilities to build a water-saving
society and encourage people to save water in all aspects of their economic and social
activities. Institutions and mechanisms helpful to water saving shall be developed
and improved. Water pricing reform needs to be promoted step by step. All water
diversion, abstraction, and supply projects must consider water saving as their first
priority. In regions facing water shortages or which are ecologically vulnerable, the
over-expansion of urban areas shall be controlled, while water-intensive industrial
projects and services shall be limited, and water wastage in agriculture shall be
constrained.
Strengthening quota management for water use
National standards for water-use quotas are needed for water-intensive industries and
sectors. Provincial governments shall revise sectoral water-use quotas in line with
the targets defined by the “red line.” The planned water-use management need to be
tightened for units with water abstraction permits and other big water users. A list of
key users of water shall be developed to strengthen water-use monitoring. Any new,
expanded, and revised building projects shall compile water-saving plans, which
will include the simultaneous design, construction, and operation of a water-saving
facility in tandem with the main building. Violation of this directive will result in the
stopping of water abstraction and rectification by RBO or WAD.
Accelerating technical rehabilitation for water saving
Compulsory standards will be introduced to provide authentication marks that identify water-efficient products. Products which do not meet these standards will be
banned from sale. In order to improve irrigation efficiency, policies will be made
to develop a water-saving irrigation industry and to improve technical services
and financial allocation to subsidize pipes, sprinklers, and micro-irrigation systems.
Pilot projects for water saving in industries will be initiated with a focus on technical rehabilitation. Industrial water-saving targets will be developed in accordance
with water-use and saving potential. An elimination list for lagged and high waterconsumption processes, facilities, and products will be formulated and issued by
relevant departments. Urban water saving will be expanded through pilot demonstrations, the promotion of water-saving appliances, and the reduction of leakages in