Water Pollution In China: A Historical Crisis

Water pollution in China has been a long-standing issue, with the phenomenon of arsenic poisoning from contaminated groundwater first detected in the 1950s. China's rapid economic growth, industrialization, and urbanization have resulted in widespread water pollution, exacerbated by inadequate investment in water supply and treatment infrastructure. The pollution of water resources has severe consequences for human health, with high rates of liver, stomach, and esophageal cancer linked to polluted water consumption. Despite efforts to improve water quality and address pollution, China continues to face challenges in ensuring access to clean drinking water for its vast population.

Cancer mortality rates

Water pollution in China has been an issue for at least 30 years, with cancer mortality rates rising by 80% over this period. The country's water sources contain toxic levels of arsenic, fluorine, and sulfates, as well as high levels of nitrate pollution. This has been linked to high rates of liver, stomach, and oesophageal cancer, as well as other cancers.

A 2013 book, *Atlas of the Huai River Basin Water Environment and Digestive Cancer Mortality*, revealed a strong correlation between areas with the most polluted water and the highest increase in digestive-system cancer deaths. The increase in mortality was several times higher than the national average for the respective cancers.

Studies have found a "dose–response" relationship between the number of pollutants present at high levels and cancer incidence. For example, in Shenqiu County, Henan Province, the incidence of gastric cancer and oesophageal cancer has risen compared to the national level, with the mortality rate from oesophageal cancer about 119.71% higher than the national level.

In addition to the impact on health, water pollution in China has also affected the environment. Pollution-induced algae blooms cause the surface of China's lakes to turn bright green, and groundwater in 90% of China's cities is contaminated. The issue of well condition urgently needs to be addressed to stop further pollution of China's deep aquifers, which are crucial drinking water sources.

The Chinese government has taken some steps to address water pollution, such as implementing the Action Plan for Water Pollution Prevention and Control in 2015. However, poor environmental regulations, weak enforcement, and local corruption have hindered progress. For example, factories are still able to discharge their wastewater into lakes and rivers, and rural villages located near these factories rely on contaminated water for their daily needs.

Arsenic contamination

China's water resources are scarce, with only 2,000 cubic meters per capita, a quarter of the world's average. The country has been listed as one of 13 countries with a water shortage by the United Nations. China's rapid economic growth, industrialization, and urbanization, coupled with inadequate investment in basic water supply and treatment infrastructure, have resulted in widespread water pollution.

Arsenic poses a serious danger to public health, and drinking arsenic-rich water is the primary route of exposure. In rural communities that rely on groundwater for drinking, the risk from exposure may pose a significant threat, especially when groundwater pumping can increase arsenic solubility. The solubility of arsenic in groundwater is influenced by various hydrologic and geochemical factors.

The Huai River in Central China is an area of high population density and an increased risk of arsenic contamination. Other areas with high arsenic hazard zones include Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Henan, Shandong, and Jiangsu. Nearly 20 million people in China live in areas at high risk of arsenic contamination in their water supplies, and it is estimated that 2.88 million people are exposed to high-risk probabilities of arsenic.

The Chinese government has recognized the severity of arsenic contamination, labeling it as one of the country's "most important endemic diseases." The government is undertaking time-consuming well-testing, but the process is expected to take decades. To expedite the identification of at-risk areas, researchers have developed computer models that predict water source contamination. These models have been effective in identifying areas with high levels of contamination.

Water scarcity

The Yellow River and Yangtze River basins, which cover nine northern provinces, exemplify this disparity, with annual rainfall ranging from just 20-25 inches in the lower Yellow River region to over 80 inches in certain coastal areas of the southeast. This uneven distribution of water resources has severe consequences for China's water security, as the demand for water in drier regions often surpasses the available supply.

Climate change exacerbates the water scarcity problem in China. The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, known as "The Third Pole," has been a stable source of glacial meltwater for thousands of years, feeding rivers like the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers. However, global warming has raised temperatures in this region by 3-3.5°C in the past 50 years, reducing the capacity for glacial melt and fresh snow and ice formation. As a result, rivers that depend on this meltwater face more significant seasonal volatility in water levels and a long-term decline in water availability.

The combination of inefficient water management and widespread water pollution has further aggravated China's water scarcity. It is estimated that 70% of China's rivers and lakes are contaminated, with one-third of its landmass affected by acid rain. As a result, even in regions with abundant water sources, pollution renders the water unfit for consumption or even basic recreational use. In 2001, 44% of China's surface waters were considered unusable due to pollution, and while this number improved to 6.9% by 2018, groundwater pollution remains a persistent issue.

China's massive population and booming economy further strain water resources. With the world's largest population, accounting for 20% of the global total, China's water demand is immense. Additionally, its status as one of the fastest-growing economies, with a thirst for water in industries, agriculture, and energy production, intensifies the pressure on water availability.

To address water scarcity, the Chinese government has undertaken various water schemes, such as the South-North Water Transfer Project (SNWTP), to enhance water availability in dry regions. However, these projects come with their own set of environmental, social, and geopolitical challenges. As China continues to grapple with water scarcity, it is essential to balance economic development, urbanization, and the need for water security to ensure the country's long-term sustainability and the well-being of its vast population.

Industrial wastewater

China's water pollution crisis is a result of its rapid economic growth, industrialization, and urbanization, coupled with inadequate investment in basic water supply and treatment infrastructure. The country's industrialization has led to an increase in the demand for water, with the industrial sector requiring around 30 cubic kilometers of water annually. This high demand has put a strain on water resources, leading to severe water shortages and pollution.

The discharge of industrial wastewater is a significant contributor to China's water pollution crisis. In 2015, 3.78 billion cubic meters of untreated wastewater was discharged across China, with 1.98 million cubic meters in Beijing alone. This wastewater, containing toxic chemicals and pollutants, is dumped into rivers and lakes, rendering them unusable for agricultural, industrial, or decorative purposes.

The problem is exacerbated by weak environmental regulations, poor enforcement, and local corruption. Local governments have often failed to crack down on polluting industries, and there is a complex web of links between local industries and local governments. In some cases, liberal governments even partially own polluting factories, creating a conflict of interest. Additionally, the cost of treating waste can eat into profits, providing a financial incentive to continue polluting.

China's water pollution crisis has severe consequences for public health and the environment. An estimated 700 million people drink contaminated water every day, and high incidences of digestive cancers, such as stomach, esophageal, and intestinal cancers, have been linked to water pollution. China's "'cancer villages'" reveal the dark side of its economic boom, with entire communities suffering from high rates of cancer and other diseases attributed to water pollution.

To address the water pollution crisis, China has implemented various measures, including the Action Plan for Water Pollution Prevention and Control in 2015. This plan clarified that local governments are primarily responsible for improving water pollution and guided them to take action. By 2017, major cities had achieved goals such as ensuring no large floating objects appeared on river surfaces and no garbage appeared on riverbanks. However, the problem persists, and China continues to struggle with balancing economic growth and environmental sustainability.

Government action

China's water pollution problem has been exacerbated by its rapid socioeconomic development and urbanization over the past 40 years. The country's water environment situation has become increasingly complex, and water safety has become a critical public health issue. The Chinese government has taken several actions to address this issue.

In 2015, the State Council issued the Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Water Pollution to strengthen pollution prevention and ensure drinking water safety. This plan set targets for improving water quality by 2030. The "Healthy China 2030" initiative also addressed the importance of enhancing health risk assessment systems related to environmental health issues.

The Chinese government has also made efforts to improve water quality through legislation. In 2018, the National People's Congress passed major revisions to the Water Pollution Prevention and Control Law, which established a system of "river chiefs" and "lake chiefs" to hold local officials accountable for addressing pollution in specific bodies of water. Additionally, the Resource Tax Law of 2020 empowered local governments to set tax rates on natural resource usage, encouraging more sustainable practices.

To address water scarcity, the government has invested in improving access to water and implemented water conservation and recycling programs. By 2021, China operated 115 seawater desalination plants, and cities like Shanghai have introduced water conservation initiatives. The central government has also monitored water-polluting firms and sewage treatment plants through the National Specially Monitored Firms program since 2007.

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have also played a crucial role in supporting government action and oversight. Citizen monitoring of waterways has been effective in reducing pollution and holding local governments accountable. The central government has encouraged NGOs to monitor local governments' remediation efforts, as higher authorities often lack information about the achievement of remediation targets.

While China has made notable improvements in reducing water pollution, challenges remain, especially regarding groundwater pollution and water scarcity. The government continues to face water security challenges due to economic growth, industrialization, and urbanization, which strain water resources and infrastructure.

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