China South-North water transfer scheme
$71 billion project
Transfers 44.8 billion cubic metres of water a year
Water travels from the South (where there is surplus) to the North of China (where there is a deficit)
Construction began in 2002. Central and Eastern routes were completed in 2013 and 2014. Western route is due for completion in 2050.
It consists of a network of pumping stations and tunnels
The eastern route has 9km of tunnels and 23 pumping stations
Water shortages in China
China has 20% of the World's population but only 7% of the water supply
Water shortages cost the country an estimated $39 billion anually
The situation is so bad that wealthy people often have storage tanks to collect water during wetter periods
Water rationing is increasingly used
Advantages of the scheme
Provides clean water for the residents of Beijing and Tianjin
Allows the country to develop economically
Improves crop yields- allows farmers to support growing populations
Should prevent over-abstraction in the North
Disadvantages of the scheme
Large areas have already been flooded, damaging natural habitats and destroying ecosystems
Raising the dem of the Danjiankou Resevoir caused mass farmland flooding and forced 345,000 people out of their homes. Little has been done by the govenment to support the victims of this incident.
Water prices are kept low- it fails to have a value and could be seen as okay to waste
So much water is being diverted, it may even create a deficit in the South!