2.2 Main Water Resources Management Systems
45
Water saving involves a mixture of activities in China. In combination with technology promotion and raising public education and awareness, the activities constitute a comprehensive water-saving management system with other systems. However,
the water-saving system is not as readily implementable and enforceable as others,
such as the water permit and water resources fee systems.
In the 1980s, China started to save water and establish corresponding agencies.
In addition to conducting public awareness and education programs, promoting
new technologies and products, and constructing water-saving projects, China has
also implemented water-saving management from the perspective of water use plan
management, as discussed in Sect. 2.2.6, and achieved significant results.
2.2.15 Groundwater Management System
China has established a management system to promote the sustainable use of groundwater resources, besides the general systems applying to both surface and ground
water resources. Article 36 of the 2002 Water Law stipulates that in groundwater
over-exploitation areas, local governments should take measures to strictly control
the exploitation of groundwater. In serious over-exploitation areas, with the approval
of the provincial governments, restricted or prohibited exploitation zones may be
established. Moreover, groundwater exploitation in coastal areas should be scientifically justified and measures should be taken to prevent land subsidence and seawater
intrusion.
In terms of responsibility, groundwater is more jurisdictionally managed than
surface water. Local governments are responsible for controlling groundwater
exploitation, while prohibited and restricted groundwater exploitation zones are
delineated by the provincial government.
Groundwater management in China has adopted the zoning system, which
involves formulating and issuing the exploitation, restricted exploitation and prohibited exploitation zones, and developing the corresponding measures to manage
them separately. In recent years, most provinces in China have delineated restricted
and prohibited exploitation zones, which play a positive role in controlling the
over-exploitation of groundwater and restoring groundwater resources.
The groundwater management system in the country is in the exploratory stage.
Although the 2002 Water Law has developed a general framework, the concrete
implementation of these systems is not yet effective due to the common pool
resources nature of groundwater, which is the most widespread reason for the excessive exploitation and utilization of groundwater in some areas of China, as well as
in the other parts of the world.
In summary, the zoning system in groundwater management is a technical review
system. The zones and the differentiated management policies are developed for the
sustainable utilization of groundwater resources.
45
Water saving involves a mixture of activities in China. In combination with technology promotion and raising public education and awareness, the activities constitute a comprehensive water-saving management system with other systems. However,
the water-saving system is not as readily implementable and enforceable as others,
such as the water permit and water resources fee systems.
In the 1980s, China started to save water and establish corresponding agencies.
In addition to conducting public awareness and education programs, promoting
new technologies and products, and constructing water-saving projects, China has
also implemented water-saving management from the perspective of water use plan
management, as discussed in Sect. 2.2.6, and achieved significant results.
2.2.15 Groundwater Management System
China has established a management system to promote the sustainable use of groundwater resources, besides the general systems applying to both surface and ground
water resources. Article 36 of the 2002 Water Law stipulates that in groundwater
over-exploitation areas, local governments should take measures to strictly control
the exploitation of groundwater. In serious over-exploitation areas, with the approval
of the provincial governments, restricted or prohibited exploitation zones may be
established. Moreover, groundwater exploitation in coastal areas should be scientifically justified and measures should be taken to prevent land subsidence and seawater
intrusion.
In terms of responsibility, groundwater is more jurisdictionally managed than
surface water. Local governments are responsible for controlling groundwater
exploitation, while prohibited and restricted groundwater exploitation zones are
delineated by the provincial government.
Groundwater management in China has adopted the zoning system, which
involves formulating and issuing the exploitation, restricted exploitation and prohibited exploitation zones, and developing the corresponding measures to manage
them separately. In recent years, most provinces in China have delineated restricted
and prohibited exploitation zones, which play a positive role in controlling the
over-exploitation of groundwater and restoring groundwater resources.
The groundwater management system in the country is in the exploratory stage.
Although the 2002 Water Law has developed a general framework, the concrete
implementation of these systems is not yet effective due to the common pool
resources nature of groundwater, which is the most widespread reason for the excessive exploitation and utilization of groundwater in some areas of China, as well as
in the other parts of the world.
In summary, the zoning system in groundwater management is a technical review
system. The zones and the differentiated management policies are developed for the
sustainable utilization of groundwater resources.