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

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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!