Some thoughts on water...

Some interesting statistics on Chinese water quality, from a 2006 report by the World Bank:

• In the almost 500 sections of China’s main river systems that are monitored for water quality, about one-third have water quality with very limited or no functional use, and only 28 percent have water suitable for drinking. 

What does this mean?  China has a 5-point water quality rating system.  Level 1 and 2 water are fit for human consumption (although level two quality water still has to be filtered). Level 3 water can't be consumed, but is acceptable for fishing and fisheries. (Ugh, right?) Level 4 quality water can be used for industry only. Level 5 quality water can only be used for agriculture. (Issues abound--the water that's going on food is worse than water being used in industry, and there's not been much research into what affect that is having on consumers' health.) There's another rating called "less than 5" quality water, which is what runs through the Fu and He rivers here in Chengdu. I'll say more about that later when I post about the local river rehab project.

So only 28% of the water in Chinese lakes and rivers is level 1 or 2 quality. Swimming not advised.

•  In 1980, the proportion of urban dwellers constituted less than 20 percent of the population, in 2000 it was 36 percent, and by 2020 it is projected to be 54 percent....The increase in urbanization results in a rising demand for water from the established water supply system and an increase in water pollution in the short run. 

This is pretty self-explanatory. It's interesting that what is perceived to be the main source of pollution--waste from heavy industry--has become less of an issue than the pollution from urban wastewater.  A lot of effort has been put into controlling industrial pollution, but the growing urban population demands accessible, clean, and cheap water for drinking and household use. A plus for quality-of-life, but minus for China's rivers.

• By relating water demand projections to expected sector growth, projections indicate that this growth will lead to an increase in water demand of 6.5, 32, and 35 percent (2003–2020) from agriculture, industry, and residential users respectively (Chinese Academy for Environmental Planning, 2004). These figures imply that a total increase in demand for water of 83 billion m3 will be essential if China is to maintain its current pattern of economic growth. However, with a relatively constant water supply, the increased water demand will have to be met mainly through water savings and improved water quality.

The simple fact is, northern China will have to clean and manage the water it already has. Even with supplemental water from the North-South transfer project, the increased population in this area and the unsustainable use of groundwater has made this a really pressing issue. Stay tuned!