The History and Current State of River Pollution in China

The History and Current State of River Pollution in China

Due to rapid urbanization and industrialization since the 1980s, China's rivers have suffered severe pollution. Pollution was particularly pronounced in urban rivers in cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin; by the 1990s, more than 90% of urban rivers exhibited severe water quality deterioration. The primary cause was the direct discharge of untreated wastewater from factories and households into rivers. Levels of harmful substances such as ammonia nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, and phosphates far exceeded regulatory limits, adversely affecting local ecosystems and public health.

As of 1996, tap water in major cities did not meet drinking water standards, and problems such as the detection of heavy metals in rivers like the Grand Canal and the Huangpu River due to industrial wastewater discharge were particularly prevalent. Although the government proceeded with the relocation and closure of chemical plants and the installation of purification facilities, it still failed to achieve a fundamental improvement in water quality.

Entering the 2020s, the Chinese government further strengthened measures to combat river pollution. In 2020, monitoring across 337 cities nationwide showed that the compliance rate for major pollutants reached 599%, marking an improvement over the previous year. Additionally, the proportion of surface water meeting high-quality standards rose to 834%, while the proportion of water classified as Grade V or lower fell to 06%. However, groundwater pollution remains severe. According to a survey by the Ministry of Natural Resources, only 13.6% of groundwater meets Class I–III standards (suitable for drinking water sources), while approximately 68.8% is classified as Class IV and 17.6% as Class V. Separate monitoring by the Ministry of Water Resources also reported poor groundwater quality.

In response to this situation, the Chinese government has promoted the "South-to-North Water Diversion Project." This initiative aims to alleviate water shortages and water pollution by supplying water from the south to the north. By the end of 2021, the total water intake had reached approximately 49.4 billion cubic meters, benefiting 140 million people. Beijing relies on "South-to-North Water Diversion" for more than 70% of its urban water supply, and the central area of Tianjin also depends almost entirely on this water source.

Nevertheless, river pollution caused by industrial and urban wastewater remains deeply entrenched, and river pollution continues to be a challenge, particularly in industrial zones. While China's river pollution control measures have achieved some success, sustainable water resource management and strict environmental protection policies remain essential.