01 · The problem
What is happening
The North China Plain supports a very large population and intensive agriculture with limited renewable water. Decades of groundwater pumping caused water tables to fall and land to subside in parts of the region. To supplement supply, China built the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, whose central route began delivering water from the Danjiangkou Reservoir to Beijing in 2014. Groundwater management and water pricing reforms aim to reduce over-extraction.
High severity. Serious, widespread effects requiring sustained action. Severity is descriptive editorial metadata summarising documented effects. It is not a measured index or a score.
02 · Causes
Why it is happening
- 01
Low renewable water per person
The region's rainfall and river flows are small relative to its population and economic activity.
- 02
Irrigated agriculture
Wheat and maize irrigation has been a major driver of groundwater extraction across the plain.
- 03
Urban and industrial growth
Rising demand from cities and industry adds to pressure on limited supplies.
03 · Impacts
Who and what it affects
- 01
Groundwater decline
Falling water tables increase pumping costs and threaten long-term availability.
- 02
Land subsidence
Over-extraction contributes to ground sinking in parts of the region, damaging infrastructure.
- 03
Ecological stress on rivers and wetlands
Reduced flows degrade river and wetland ecosystems.
04 · Solutions
Documented approaches
Inter-basin water transfer
The South-to-North Water Diversion Project supplements Beijing's supply.
Expected effectIncreases available supply and allows some groundwater recovery; involves large costs and impacts in source regions.
Groundwater extraction controls
Well closures, extraction limits and recharge programmes.
Expected effectHelps stabilise water tables where enforced.
Water pricing and efficiency
Tiered pricing, water-saving appliances and reclaimed water use for industry and landscaping.
Expected effectReduces per-capita demand and freshwater use.
05 · Key indicators
What can be measured
No reliable quantitative indicator is included for this issue. TerraLens shows figures only where a credible source supports them — consult the sources below for current data.
06 · Sources
Where this comes from
- [1]Water resources and AQUASTAT dataFood and Agriculture Organization of the United Nationsfao.org(opens in a new tab)
- [2]Ministry of Water ResourcesPeople's Republic of Chinamwr.gov.cn(opens in a new tab)
Links open the publishing organisation's site. Some point to the publisher's main page, where the named report or dataset can be found.