In recent decades there was a change in water resources management from a sectoral to a multidisciplinary and integrated approach, which now has widespread acceptance as the foremost concept for a holistic management approach. In our January 2013 issue, the news article “IWRM education: e-learning module on Integrated Water Resources Management” by Leidel et al. pointed out that this transition sought to balance the different interests of water users, and to provide water resources economically and sustainably. Due to the urgency of water scarcity and water environmental issues reported in China in recent years, a more operable and stringent water resources management system is emerging.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
CNS (2014) Water resource management put in spotlight with national checks. China News Service (English-language website). February 14, 2014. http://www.ecns.cn/2014/02-14/100814.shtml. Accessed 5 Mar 2014
Li J (2013) China gears up to tackle tainted water. Nature 499(7456):14–15
Liu C, Zhao Y (2012) Possibility of the zero growth of water requirement in China. Bull Chin Acad Sci 26(1):13–16
Lu WQ, Xie SH, Zhou WS, Zhang SH, Liu AL (2008) Water pollution and health impact in China: a mini-review. Open Environ Sci 2:1–5
Media Analytics Ltd (2012) Five years to clean up China’s wastewater, Global Water Intelligence 13(1): 2012, http://www.globalwaterintel.com/archive/13/1/general/five-years-clean-chinas-wastewater.html. Accessed 5 Mar 2014
MEP (2002)
Environmental quality standards for surface water in China. (in Chinese) Environmental Information Centre, Ministry of Environmental Protection The Peoples Republic of China, BeijingMEP (2012) Report on the state of the environment in China 2012. Environmental Information Centre, Ministry of Environmental Protection The Peoples Republic of China, Beijing
MWR (2012a)
Briefings on the opinions of the State Council on implementing the strictest water resources management system. (in Chinese) February 16, 2012. Ministry of Water Resources of the People’s Republic of China. http://www.mwr.gov.cn/slzx/slyw/201202/t20120216_313991.html. Accessed 5 Mar 2014 (English summary available on http://www.china.org.cn/china/2012-02/17/content_24664350.htm Accessed 5 Mar 2014)MWR (2012b)
Interpretation on the Briefings on the opinions of the State Council on implementing the strictest water resources management system (in Chinese) April 16, 2012 Ministry of Water Resources of the People’s Republic of China of Hu Siyi, the Vice Minister. http://www.mwr.gov.cn/zwzc/zcfg/jd/201204/t20120416_318845.html. Accessed 5 Mar 2014MWR (2013)
Assessment methods of implementing the Strictest Water Resources Management System. (in Chinese) January 6, 2013. Ministry of Water Resources of the People’s Republic of China. http://www.mwr.gov.cn/zwzc/zcfg/xzfghfgxwj/201301/t20130107_336155.html. Accessed 5 Mar 2014NOAA (2012) Chinese River Dolphin, February 17, 2012, US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/cetaceans/chineseriverdolphin.htm. Accessed 5 Mar 2014
Shen D (2012) Planned water use system in China. Water Policy 14(4):581–593
Vennemo H, Aunan K, Lindhjem H, Seip HM (2009) Environmental pollution in China: status and trends. Rev Environ Econ Policy 3(2):209–230
Wang M, Webber M, Finlayson B, Barnett J (2008) Rural industries and water pollution in China. J Environ Manag 86:648–659
Xia J (2012) Science and Technology for Sustainable Water in China. Perspectives 26(1):4–12
Yang H, Xie P, Ni LY, Flower RJ (2012) Pollution in the Yangtze. Science 337:410
Environmental quality standards for surface water in China. (in Chinese) Environmental Information Centre, Ministry of Environmental Protection The Peoples Republic of China, Beijing
Briefings on the opinions of the State Council on implementing the strictest water resources management system. (in Chinese) February 16, 2012. Ministry of Water Resources of the People’s Republic of China. 
Interpretation on the Briefings on the opinions of the State Council on implementing the strictest water resources management system (in Chinese) April 16, 2012 Ministry of Water Resources of the People’s Republic of China of Hu Siyi, the Vice Minister. 
Assessment methods of implementing the Strictest Water Resources Management System. (in Chinese) January 6, 2013. Ministry of Water Resources of the People’s Republic of China. Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zuo, Q., Jin, R., Ma, J. et al. China pursues a strict water resources management system. Environ Earth Sci 72, 2219–2222 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-014-3369-4
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-014-3369-4