April 18, 2013- Guangdong government recently approves the “Action Plan for Cleaner Water in Guangdong” (The Plan) which targets to improve water quality in the province with target milestones in 2013, 2015 and 2020:

2013

• water quality for Guangzhou section of Zhujiang to consistently meet standard;
• major rivers such as Shima, Danshui rivers and Foshan Waterway to reach 2013 water quality control targets;

2015

• municipal drinking water quality to consistently meet standard ;
• water sources and quality for suburban areas to be improved;
• overall water quality for the province to be improved with Grade V water being eliminated in Pearl River Delta;
• major rivers such as Danshui, Shima rivers and Foshan Waterway to reach Grade IV;
• Guangzhou section of Zhujiang to reach Grade III during the “Guangdong Water-Friendly Festival”

2020

• municipal drinking water sources and quality to meet consistent and high standard;
• water sources and quality for suburban areas to be ensured safe;
• major surface water to reach environmental functional requirements, over 90% provincial-owned cross-section water quality to reach provincial standard with over 80% to reach high quality. 80% of Intercity-rivers water cross-section water quality to reach the proposed standard;
• to eliminate Grade V water in all surface water environmental function areas;
• intersecting water bodies between Foshan and Guangzhou to reach proposed standard;
• water quality for Guangzhou section of Zhujiang to archieve Grade III during high flow period.

The Plan also proposes a job position with promotion/punishment system for “River Prefect” to tackle water pollution. The Guangdong Government will invest RMB 118.7 billion in 7 key water-related projects including:

• water treatment
• drinking water security
• water source protection
• improvement in efficiency for existing facilities
• water accessibility landscape
• water statistics monitoring
• promotion

Of which RMB 40.39 billion will be placed on construction and expansion of major wastewater treatment plants, improvement of wastewater pipelines and wastewater renewal systems.

Read the Plan here (Chinese only)