Analysis of developmental tendency of water distribution and water-saving strategies

Based on an analysis of the developmental trends of water distribution in China, the authors studied the main problems of water use and water-saving practices, and put forward a strategic method for integrated water-saving. The main conclusion includes four aspects. Firstly, the water supply of China will not increase considerably in the near future and it will be maintained around 560 billion m³. The water use in agriculture will be controlled around 400 billion m³, but it must meet the food security requirements for the 1.6 billion population in 2030. Secondly, the ratio of water use in agricultural, industrial and domestic sectors will be kept at 7∶2∶1, and the proportion of agricultural water use will decrease to 60% in 2030, while industrial and domestic water use proportions increased. Thirdly, agricultural industrial and domestic water-saving have equal importance and an integrated water-saving strategy should be carried out. Agricultural water-saving should be supported by the government because it is a strategic problem. It is not necessary to produce much economic benefit, but a water-saving technology system and a corresponding policy adapted to the Chinese situation should be studied. The key point of industrial and domestic water-saving, which belong to a beneficial water-saving category, is to promote water use efficiency and the recycling of waste water. Modern science and technology, water price policy and the law should be applied to industrial and domestic water-saving. Finally with the support of scientific water-saving measures, the insurance of water-saving policy and the implementation of water-saving production, combined with scientific water-saving measures, water-saving policy and water-saving production, a water-saving society can be established.