18.5 Recommendations
425
Strengthening water resources protection
At present, water pollution is a very serious threat to water supply security in China.
Water pollution not only deteriorates water quality but also reduces the availability
of water resources. It is necessary to strengthen water resources protection by implementing a drinking water sources protection system and strengthening groundwater
protection.
Strengthening non-traditional water resource use to promote multi-water
source allocation
Non-traditional water resources include recycled wastewater, desalinated water,
saline water, rainwater, and floodwater. Given the water shortage in China, utilizing
non-traditional water will be an important measure to solving water supply and
demand conflict.
Urban rainwater harvesting will increase water-use efficiency, reduce urban flood
pressure, and recharge groundwater. Treated recycled water is a stable water source
in urban areas and could be used as a secondary source to supply industry, environmental purposes, and irrigation (China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower
Research 2009).
Promoting the implementation of integrated river basin water resources
management
Under China’s centralized administrative system, it is difficult to fully implement
integrated river basin water resources management. However, integrated river basin
water resources management is important in managing water resources effectively.
China should promote the implementation of integrated river basin water resources
management at all levels of management, including water resources planning,
institutional reform, and water resources protection.
Adaption in key regions
The Yellow, Huai, and Hai River Basins are along political, economic, and cultural
centers and encompass the grain production base. Water resources will continue
to decrease and deteriorate, and it is therefore necessary to regulate the industrial
structures and industrial distribution to build a water-saving society, increase wateruse efficiency and effectiveness, change agricultural structures, promote south-tonorth water transfer projects, and maximize the use of non-traditional water sources.
Northwest China has a semi-arid to arid climate. Although climate change will
result in increased precipitation, it will not fundamentally change the water shortage.
At the same time, the reduction in glaciers will reduce the stability of runoff. Therefore, it is necessary to allocate water reasonably to guarantee environmental water
requirements for key areas and draft drought contingency plans.
The southeastern coastal cities are the economic centers of their regions. Under
climate change, the occurrence of hydrological extremes will increase. Therefore, it
is necessary to develop typhoon and flood precautionary systems to improve flood
425
Strengthening water resources protection
At present, water pollution is a very serious threat to water supply security in China.
Water pollution not only deteriorates water quality but also reduces the availability
of water resources. It is necessary to strengthen water resources protection by implementing a drinking water sources protection system and strengthening groundwater
protection.
Strengthening non-traditional water resource use to promote multi-water
source allocation
Non-traditional water resources include recycled wastewater, desalinated water,
saline water, rainwater, and floodwater. Given the water shortage in China, utilizing
non-traditional water will be an important measure to solving water supply and
demand conflict.
Urban rainwater harvesting will increase water-use efficiency, reduce urban flood
pressure, and recharge groundwater. Treated recycled water is a stable water source
in urban areas and could be used as a secondary source to supply industry, environmental purposes, and irrigation (China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower
Research 2009).
Promoting the implementation of integrated river basin water resources
management
Under China’s centralized administrative system, it is difficult to fully implement
integrated river basin water resources management. However, integrated river basin
water resources management is important in managing water resources effectively.
China should promote the implementation of integrated river basin water resources
management at all levels of management, including water resources planning,
institutional reform, and water resources protection.
Adaption in key regions
The Yellow, Huai, and Hai River Basins are along political, economic, and cultural
centers and encompass the grain production base. Water resources will continue
to decrease and deteriorate, and it is therefore necessary to regulate the industrial
structures and industrial distribution to build a water-saving society, increase wateruse efficiency and effectiveness, change agricultural structures, promote south-tonorth water transfer projects, and maximize the use of non-traditional water sources.
Northwest China has a semi-arid to arid climate. Although climate change will
result in increased precipitation, it will not fundamentally change the water shortage.
At the same time, the reduction in glaciers will reduce the stability of runoff. Therefore, it is necessary to allocate water reasonably to guarantee environmental water
requirements for key areas and draft drought contingency plans.
The southeastern coastal cities are the economic centers of their regions. Under
climate change, the occurrence of hydrological extremes will increase. Therefore, it
is necessary to develop typhoon and flood precautionary systems to improve flood