Consciousness of Water Resources Crisis and the Innovation of the Water Resources Management System in Beijing

The scarcity of water resources and the rapid development of economy and society have made Beijing one of the cities facing severe water shortage in China, especially under the condition that the Project of Water Transfer from the South to the North in China was postponed for 5 years. Water resources shortage crises with its characteristics are presented in this paper on the basis of investigating residents’ consciousness on water resources crisis. The severe deficiency and contamination of water resources were found to be major water challenges in Beijing, causing great pressures on sustainable development of water resources, economy and society. In the context, more attention should be paid to improve residents’ consciousness of water resources crisis, which would also be an efficient approach to getting more public to participate in water resources management. In fact, some substantial measures have been taken by relevant administrative departments, including 1) raising water price. Beijing has elevated water prices for 4 times during the period 1999-2004; 2) adjusting and optimizing industrial structures. Agriculture was strictly controlled and adjusted for using water efficiently; and 3) establishment of the Beijing water authority, which greatly facilitated the integrated water resources management. A grim situation of water resources crises has therefore been significantly changed due to implementation of these measures. In addition to enormous effort that has been made, there are still some other critical measures and strategies that can ensure the water resources management to work more effectively and efficiently. Relevant studies showed that per capital water consumption for domestic use in Beijing was the highest in 31 provinces (municipalities) in China. Therefore, if residents are willing to use less water in a more efficient manner, large amount of water can be saved. These measures include enforcement of the consciousness about water resources crisis and water security, improvement of water use efficiency in the processes of water utilization, and paying more attention to the use of rainfall and virtual water resources. Agricultural techniques with regard to water saving should also be taken. On the other hand, the groundwater of Beijing should be reserved, especially after the Project of Water Transfer from the South to the North is conducted. It was suggested that the water resources management in Beijing should be shifted from increasing water supplies to water demand control. The enforcement of the consciousness about water resources crisis is a basic driving force for constructing water-saving society.