(June 28, 2008) Beijing’s water crisis is so critical that the city is facing economic collapse and the need to resettle part of its population in coming decades, a leading development policy group said yesterday.
Going thirsty so Beijing can drink
(October 9, 2008) The water level at Wangkuai Reservoir, one of the biggest in Hebei province, is close to an historic high—in a region gripped by drought. This has been achieved by hoarding the water. Local farmers say they have received none for two years.
China’s ambitious water diversion project way beyond budget
(June 9, 2009) After some seven years in progress, China’s South-to-North Water Transfer Project has burst its planned budget by tens of billions of yuan and run into delay.
Beijing Water Authority postpones South-to-North Water Diversion Project, Prepares to raise Beijing’s water prices (Update 3)
(May 11, 2009) In our report, Beijing’s Water Crisis: 1949 – 2008 Olympics, Probe International argued that the city’s worsening water shortage would not be solved by building more dams and diversion canals. But rather, the city should implement laws and regulations to limit polluting and water-profligate projects and ensure that consumers and businesses pay the full cost for water. Now, water authorities have announced a hike in water prices. Read the news coverage here.
Drought plagues China’s crops
(March 1, 2009) Northern China is dry at the best of times. But a long rainless stretch has underscored the urgency of water problems in a region that grows three-fifths of China’s crops and houses more than two-fifths of its people – but gets only one fifth as much rain as the rest of the country.
China to raise water prices?
(January 12, 2009) The World Bank urged China on Monday to raise water prices to encourage people to use less water and to promote efficiency in a bid to prevent a ‘severe water scarcity crisis.’
Pollution concealed by Beijing
(November 18, 2008) China’s coal industry has hidden annual costs of 159 billion pounds in damage to health and the environment, according to Chinese experts.
Beijing ‘running out of water’
(June 27, 2008) Beijing is running out of water, says a report by Probe International.
Independent groups warn Olympics exacerbating Beijing’s water crisis
(June 27, 2008) Chinese environmental activists are warning that the August Olympics are putting pressure on and will further exacerbate Beijing’s already severe water shortage.
Beijing faces turmoil due to water crisis: Probe International
(June 27, 2008) Experts predict the Chinese capital could run out of water in five to 10 years, according to Grainne Ryder, policy director at Probe International.
Overpopulated Beijing facing water crisis
(December 12, 2006) The authorized government portal site to China, http://www.china.org.cn reports that “the water shortage in China’s capital is set to reach crisis point in 2010, when the population is expected to top 17 million — at least three million more than its resources can feed.” The article goes on to say that “the ceiling on Beijing’s population, set by the central government in 2004, is 18 million in 2020….One approach to cap the city’s population is [sic] relocate some people.”
Water scheme’s western route troubles Sichuan scholars
(September 12, 2006) ‘We are really concerned about the western route of the south-north water transfer project. We wonder whether the proposed scheme could do little or nothing to save the Yellow River, and end up destroying the Yangtze instead.’
Rainfall brings only brief respite to drought-hit regions
(August 22, 2006) Rain brought some relief from the mainland’s worst drought in 50 years to Chongqing and Sichuan province yesterday, but government officials cautioned it was too early to announce an end to the disaster.
300b yuan bid to boost water flow from west
(August 2, 2006) Critics question the environmental cost and feasibility of the third route of the south-north water diversion scheme.
Thousands to be moved for water transfer project
(April 10, 2006) Beijing plans to move 220,000 people to make way for a multi-billion dollar project to transfer water from the flood-prone Yangtze river to the parched cities and farmland of the north.
Patricia Adams
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