Southern water revitalizes North China amid environmental crisis

In China, significant changes have occurred following the implementation of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, with the Danjiangkou Reservoir serving as its primary water source. This initiative has enabled the distribution of over 20 billion cubic meters of water primarily to Hebei and Henan provinces, and about 10 billion cubic meters to the capital, Beijing, along with Tianjin. The project has markedly changed local ecosystems and water supply systems in these regions. Tianjin, for instance, has achieved complete coverage of this southern water, and around 11 provincial cities in Henan, along with more than 90 counties in Hebei, have shifted to the new water source, thus improving water availability and quality. In Hebei, Zhang Shuguang from the Langfang water resources department noted that since the project's completion, over 12,000 water wells were shut down, leading to a significant reduction in groundwater extraction and contributing positively to the groundwater levels in the area. Following the introduction of southern water from the Danjiangkou Reservoir in 2014, households that once depended on hard, mineral-rich well water have transitioned to cleaner sources. This change has led to the obsolescence of water purifiers and has enhanced the quality of local agriculture, with residents reporting improvements in the taste of rice and tea cooked with this new water. The project has not only provided immediate benefits to drinking water and agriculture but has also initiated ecological restoration efforts. Baiquan Lake in Huixian, Henan, showcases this restoration, becoming a tourist attraction after 18 years of absence of significant springs. Since 2018, the groundwater levels in Huixian have increased by 4.6 meters, gradually reviving the ecological functions of local rivers and lakes. Similarly, in Puyang, the groundwater level rose by 1.53 meters in 2023 compared to 2022, and there has been a sustained upward trend in groundwater levels for 25 consecutive months. In Beijing, the influx of southern water has managed to halt a 16-year decline in groundwater levels, with data indicating that as of late October 2024, the average burial depth has decreased to 12.41 meters. This represents the ninth consecutive year of rising groundwater levels, indicating a successful impact of the project on urban water supply systems. Furthermore, the project has led to substantial administrative measures to limit groundwater extraction across rural areas, significantly changing the landscape of water resource management in Northern China and underscoring the importance of sustainable water solutions in addressing regional water scarcity issues.