By Gu Shuzhong, Huang Wenqing & Li Weiming, Members of Research Team on “Long-term Mechanism Framework for Quality Protection of Water Source in Mid-line Area of South-to-North Water Diversion Project”, Research Institute of Resources and Environment Policies, DRC

Research Report, No 116, 2016 (Total NO 4999) 2016-9-05

Abstract: Law is the prime and most efficient way of protecting water source, which directly affects the outcome of water source protection. Through efforts made for many years, a water quality protection legal system has been formed involving national law, administrative rules and regulations, standards and norms as well as regional laws and regulations for the water source in the mid-line area of South-to-North Water Diversion Project, but there still remain some problems such as the double standards relating to legal stipulations, inadequate laws and regulations and contradictory legal provisions, imperfect legal status for water resource plans and the joint conference system, difficulty in enforcing dual water pricing systems, and weak enforcement for the system of environmental monitoring and emergency management. It is suggested that efforts be made to straighten up the current water quality protection laws and regulations, accelerate revising of The Management Regulations for Water Supply of South-to-north Water Diversion Project, formulate and promulgate The Danjiangkou Reservoir and the Up-stream Drinking Water Resource Area Division Plan and The Regulations for the Management of Mid-line Water Source of South-to-north Water Diversion Project; and construct an integrated monitoring network and intensify comprehensive law enforcement.

Key words: capability of legal guarantee, water quality protection, mid-line area of South-to-North Water Diversion Project