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2 Water Resources Management Framework
2.2.7 Water Function Zoning System
The water function zoning system is the basic system for water resources protection in China. In accordance with the requirements of sustainable water resources
development, socio-economic development, and river basin comprehensive development, the water functional zoning process delineates the dominant functions and
functional priority of each water body, as well as determining the water resources
protection target under which the functions of a water body would not be damaged.
According to the relevant legislation, taking into account the environmental capacity,
socio-economic development, and pollutant discharge control, the zones are grouped
into a water function preliminary zone and secondary zone. The preliminary zone
consists of a protection zone, a buffer zone, a development and use zone, and a
reserve zone. The secondary zone is designated in the scope of the development and
use zone in the preliminary zone; it is divided into a drinking water source zone, an
industrial water use zone, an agricultural water use zone, a fishery water use zone, a
recreational water use zone, a transitional zone, and a wastewater discharge control
zone.
Based on the water quality protection target and the natural purification capacity
of the water function zone, the water pollution assimilation capacity of a water
body in the zone can be defined. Subsequently, the controlled pollutant discharge
assessment can be made concerning the assimilation capacity of and the present
pollutant discharge to the water body. This understanding is the underlying logic of
the design of the water function zone system in China, as well as for water resources
protection.
According to the 2002 Water Law, the drafting of the water function zone must
regard the basin as a unit and should be developed on the basis of a river basin
comprehensive plan, a water resources protection plan, and social and economic
development requirements.
The 2003 Management Methods of Water Function Zone stipulates that the
approved water functional zone is the basis for the development, utilization, and
protection of water resources. The WAD of the State Council is responsible for the
unified supervision and administration of water function zones across China. The
WADs of the local government at or above the county level and RBOs are required
to supervise and administer these water function zones according to the relevant
jurisdiction and management authority.
The management methods stipulate that the management of water function zones
should also follow the protection targets set by the zone. Within the protected zone, it
is forbidden to conduct activities that are not conducive to protection functions. The
reserve zone should be treated as a reserve for the future development and utilization
of waters, and maintain the present circumstance in principle. The activities that may
have a greater impact on the quality and quantity of water resources in the buffer zone
must be approved by the management agency. The unit of the construction project,
with the activities that may impact the water function zone, including water abstraction, construction in river course management scope, and so on, should analyze the
2 Water Resources Management Framework
2.2.7 Water Function Zoning System
The water function zoning system is the basic system for water resources protection in China. In accordance with the requirements of sustainable water resources
development, socio-economic development, and river basin comprehensive development, the water functional zoning process delineates the dominant functions and
functional priority of each water body, as well as determining the water resources
protection target under which the functions of a water body would not be damaged.
According to the relevant legislation, taking into account the environmental capacity,
socio-economic development, and pollutant discharge control, the zones are grouped
into a water function preliminary zone and secondary zone. The preliminary zone
consists of a protection zone, a buffer zone, a development and use zone, and a
reserve zone. The secondary zone is designated in the scope of the development and
use zone in the preliminary zone; it is divided into a drinking water source zone, an
industrial water use zone, an agricultural water use zone, a fishery water use zone, a
recreational water use zone, a transitional zone, and a wastewater discharge control
zone.
Based on the water quality protection target and the natural purification capacity
of the water function zone, the water pollution assimilation capacity of a water
body in the zone can be defined. Subsequently, the controlled pollutant discharge
assessment can be made concerning the assimilation capacity of and the present
pollutant discharge to the water body. This understanding is the underlying logic of
the design of the water function zone system in China, as well as for water resources
protection.
According to the 2002 Water Law, the drafting of the water function zone must
regard the basin as a unit and should be developed on the basis of a river basin
comprehensive plan, a water resources protection plan, and social and economic
development requirements.
The 2003 Management Methods of Water Function Zone stipulates that the
approved water functional zone is the basis for the development, utilization, and
protection of water resources. The WAD of the State Council is responsible for the
unified supervision and administration of water function zones across China. The
WADs of the local government at or above the county level and RBOs are required
to supervise and administer these water function zones according to the relevant
jurisdiction and management authority.
The management methods stipulate that the management of water function zones
should also follow the protection targets set by the zone. Within the protected zone, it
is forbidden to conduct activities that are not conducive to protection functions. The
reserve zone should be treated as a reserve for the future development and utilization
of waters, and maintain the present circumstance in principle. The activities that may
have a greater impact on the quality and quantity of water resources in the buffer zone
must be approved by the management agency. The unit of the construction project,
with the activities that may impact the water function zone, including water abstraction, construction in river course management scope, and so on, should analyze the