2.2 Main Water Resources Management Systems
29
system. The river basin water resources allocation plan provides support for water
resources development and utilization at the regional level, and it establishes the total
volume control and water abstraction volume for the region.
2.2.3 Water Abstraction Permit System
The water abstraction permit system is widely adopted as a water resources management tool around the world. From an economic point of view, the permit is a management measure to limit access. In China’s legislative framework, the water abstraction
permit is a manifestation of the process of application for approval and granting of
water abstraction rights. Furthermore, the permit is an effective and important tool for
the government to regulate water resources development, utilization, and protection.
Development process. The water abstraction permit system was introduced in China
in the 1988 Water Law. In 1993, the State Council promulgated the “Measures for
the Implementation of the Water Abstraction Permit System.” Based on the 2002
Water Law, in 2006, the State Council issued the “Regulation on the Management
of Water Abstraction Permits and Water Resources Fee Collection.” Therefore, as of
2019, the water abstraction permit system has been implemented in China for more
than 20 years.
Article 7 of the 2002 Water Law stipulates that the state should implement
the system of permits and fees for water resources. However, the rural collective
economic organizations and their members using water from pools and reservoirs
belonging to these organizations are exempted from such regulations. This article
establishes the status of the water abstraction permit system as the nation’s basic
water resources management system. In addition, Article 48 of the 2002 Water Law
stipulates that the units and individuals that directly abstract water resources from
rivers, lakes, or aquifers should, in accordance with the provisions of the national
water abstraction permit system and water resources fee system, apply for a water
abstraction permit from the relevant WADs or RBO, pay a water resources fee,
and obtain the requisite water abstraction right. However, small amounts of water
abstraction for household and livestock use are exempted from these requirements.
Therefore, the introduction of the water abstraction permit system in water
resources management in China meets the requirements of both adapting to a market
economy and strengthening government macro-regulation. The implementation of
this system is conducive to effectively control the water demand and alleviate the
severe water shortage in some regions; to promote the transformation of water use
from an extensive mode to an intensive mode; and to implement the government
macro-management measures.
The Regulation on the Management of Water Abstraction Permits and Water
Resources Fee Collection specifies the design of the permit system for China. The
term “abstracting water” refers to directly withdrawing water from rivers, lakes, or
aquifers using water abstraction engineering or facilities, which include watergates,
29
system. The river basin water resources allocation plan provides support for water
resources development and utilization at the regional level, and it establishes the total
volume control and water abstraction volume for the region.
2.2.3 Water Abstraction Permit System
The water abstraction permit system is widely adopted as a water resources management tool around the world. From an economic point of view, the permit is a management measure to limit access. In China’s legislative framework, the water abstraction
permit is a manifestation of the process of application for approval and granting of
water abstraction rights. Furthermore, the permit is an effective and important tool for
the government to regulate water resources development, utilization, and protection.
Development process. The water abstraction permit system was introduced in China
in the 1988 Water Law. In 1993, the State Council promulgated the “Measures for
the Implementation of the Water Abstraction Permit System.” Based on the 2002
Water Law, in 2006, the State Council issued the “Regulation on the Management
of Water Abstraction Permits and Water Resources Fee Collection.” Therefore, as of
2019, the water abstraction permit system has been implemented in China for more
than 20 years.
Article 7 of the 2002 Water Law stipulates that the state should implement
the system of permits and fees for water resources. However, the rural collective
economic organizations and their members using water from pools and reservoirs
belonging to these organizations are exempted from such regulations. This article
establishes the status of the water abstraction permit system as the nation’s basic
water resources management system. In addition, Article 48 of the 2002 Water Law
stipulates that the units and individuals that directly abstract water resources from
rivers, lakes, or aquifers should, in accordance with the provisions of the national
water abstraction permit system and water resources fee system, apply for a water
abstraction permit from the relevant WADs or RBO, pay a water resources fee,
and obtain the requisite water abstraction right. However, small amounts of water
abstraction for household and livestock use are exempted from these requirements.
Therefore, the introduction of the water abstraction permit system in water
resources management in China meets the requirements of both adapting to a market
economy and strengthening government macro-regulation. The implementation of
this system is conducive to effectively control the water demand and alleviate the
severe water shortage in some regions; to promote the transformation of water use
from an extensive mode to an intensive mode; and to implement the government
macro-management measures.
The Regulation on the Management of Water Abstraction Permits and Water
Resources Fee Collection specifies the design of the permit system for China. The
term “abstracting water” refers to directly withdrawing water from rivers, lakes, or
aquifers using water abstraction engineering or facilities, which include watergates,