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South-North Transfer Project - Coggle Diagram
South-North Transfer Project
Key Information
$71 billion project
Transfers 44.8 billion metres cubed of water every year
A project moving water from the South to North of China
Began in 2002
Central and Eastern routes completed in 2013 and 2014
Western route due to be completed in 2050
Water transferred from surplus areas along 3 routes
Pumping stations and tunnels aid the water transfer
Covers 15% of China's total land
70% of tap water in Beijing is pumped through the middle round
Transfers 2/3 of incoming water from the South
Causes of water shortage
Distribution of rainfall and population
Greater individual wealth
Cheap water pricing leads to waste
Poor infrastructure and wastage
New industry requirements
Inefficient use of resources
Increasing urban populations
Advantages
Provides clean water for people in Beijing and Tianjin
Allows industry development, bringing wealth to the country
Provides water for irrigation and crop growth
Prevents over abstraction in the North
Prevents land subsistence
120 million people are supplied with water
30 rivers have been replenished
20+ cities supplied
Disadvantages
Large areas have been flooded
Natural habitats and ecosystems have been damaged
Productive farmland damage has caused 345,000 people to relocate to poorly built houses
Water cost is still low so it is still wasted
Creates water stress in the South
During droughts 30 million people will lack water
Crosses high risk locations
Water shortages
China has 20% of the world's population
China only has 7% of the world's water supply
Shortages cost China $39 billion annually in lost crops and reduced industrial output
Wealthier people have storage pumps to collect water during wet periods
Water rationing is a common procedure which helps this