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BEIJING / WAM
China has introduced its first national-level regulations on water conservation, which experts say will provide legal guarantees for water security and ecological protection. The regulations, issued by the State Council, will come into effect on May 1.
According to China Daily, the comprehensive provisions address key issues in water conservation, such as water usage, conservation, and management. The regulations establish a comprehensive framework for water management.
The regulations propose determining rules on water use management, setting water usage quotas for key crops, industrial production, and service sectors. They also suggest implementing differentiated metering and pricing based on water sources and usage, including tiered water pricing for residential water usage and additional charges for agricultural irrigation water usage that exceeds allotted quotas.
China will restrict water-intensive projects in areas with severe water shortages or groundwater over-exploitation and gradually phase out outdated and water-intensive technologies, equipment, and products.
The regulations stipulate legal responsibilities for illegal acts, with individuals who tamper with water meters facing fines ranging from 10,000 to 100,000 yuan, and businesses that resist water-saving renovations and neglect water recycling being penalised.