Revitalizing North China's Environment and Communities with Southern Water from Danjiangkou Reservoir

The Danjiangkou Reservoir, located in Central China's Hubei province, serves as the crucial water source for the middle route of the ambitious South-to-North Water Diversion Project. This mega initiative has resulted in not only an unprecedented supply of clean water but also remarkable improvements to the environment and people's lives across North China.

In the past decade, the reservoir has generously provided a staggering 68 billion cubic meters of water to over 100 million people residing in 26 cities. Among the beneficiaries are Hebei and Henan provinces, which have received more than 20 billion cubic meters, and Tianjin and Beijing, which have consumed about 10 billion cubic meters combined. As of now, Tianjin boasts complete coverage from southern water, and various cities in Hebei and Henan have transitioned from groundwater to this superior water source.

Zhang Shuguang, a leading official in Hebei's water resources department, noted that following the completion of the water diversion project, over 12,000 groundwater wells were decommissioned in Langfang city, leading to the revitalization of local rivers and lakes. Currently, southern water is being utilized in several districts of Langfang, with ongoing water supply projects expected to be operational by the end of 2025.

In Henan's Dengzhou city, 76-year-old villager Han Qingzhou recalls how life has changed dramatically since the introduction of Danjiangkou water. The village once relied on hard, mineral-rich well water, requiring residents to purchase purifiers costing thousands of yuan. However, since the local drinking water plant was set up in 2014, villagers now enjoy clean, flavorful water directly from the taps, making water purifiers obsolete.

The Ya'an Dongli community in Tianjin has similarly benefited from the switch to southern water. Residents struggled with deteriorating pipes leading to subpar water quality and health concerns. The community undertook renovations in 2012, and in 2015, southern water began flowing into their homes, altering their daily lives positively. According to resident Zhang Limin, the transition resulted in cleaner cooking appliances and sweeter tasting rice, enhancing their overall quality of life.

The restoration of Baiquan Lake, with its history stretching back over 3,000 years, has become a symbol of the project’s success. Once drying up due to declining groundwater levels, the lake is now flourishing again with the advent of southern water. The local government has also enacted measures to decrease groundwater extraction, resulting in a resurgence of the lake’s springs and an ecological revival. Nowadays, local photographer Han Xiuping captures images of thriving flora and fauna around the lake, a stark contrast to its desolate past.

Groundwater conservation has emerged as another crucial benefit of the water diversion project. Cities along the southern water route have reduced, if not completely halted, their groundwater extraction practices, resulting in rising groundwater levels across regions. Puyang city, previously hampered by excessive groundwater withdrawal, established an integrated urban-rural water supply network that now provides equal access to high-quality water for its 3.7 million residents. The elevated groundwater levels are beneficial in preventing subsidence and fostering development.

Since the project commenced, various towns, including Dingzhou in Hebei, have converted their water sources to southern water, significantly improving the quality and sustainability of their water supply. This transformation has been instrumental not only in meeting the immediate needs of these communities but also in nurturing the ecological balance of the area.

The arrival of southern water in Beijing has halted a 16-year decline in groundwater levels. As local authorities report, the average depth of groundwater in plain areas has improved consistently, allowing residents to modulate their groundwater practices positively.

In conclusion, the supply of southern water from the Danjiangkou Reservoir has catalyzed a remarkable shift in North China's environmental and social landscapes. Not only has it alleviated long-standing water quality issues, but it has also reinvigorated local ecosystems and transformed the lives of millions. This monumental effort stands as an exemplary model for future water resource management worldwide.