From Policy to Practice: Evaluating the Effectiveness of China’s Water Resources Management Plans on Water Quality

Enhancing water quality is essential for sustainable development and the well-being of all humanity. In response, nations worldwide are prioritizing the strategic design and effective implementation of water environmental policies. This study investigates the Water Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan (WPCAP) in China, establishing a causal link between the policy and improvements in water quality, while thoroughly examining the influencing factors and specific mechanisms of the policy. Our findings are as follows: (1) WPCAP has significantly reduced the chemical oxygen demand (COD) in water bodies, with an estimated average decline of 16.47%. (2) In regions with lower levels of industrialization, less foreign investment, and greater local autonomy, the policy’s effect on improving water quality is enhanced. (3) The presence of an “official promotion tournament” does not detract from the policy’s efficacy. (4) WPCAP effectively improves water quality through source governance, accountability governance, and multi-agent governance. The insights from this research are crucial for shaping sustainable practices worldwide and offer valuable policy recommendations for other nations seeking to improve water quality and enhance environmental governance.