Perhaps the forgotten whispers of Beijing’s past still echo around this abandoned irrigation canal. This is \u5e9f\u5f03\u704c\u6e20. Its story is intertwined with Beijing’s struggle for water. The canal once played a vital role. It helped manage the city’s scarce resources.
Beijing faces intense water scarcity. There are long dry seasons and brief wet seasons. It is one of the most water-scarce cities globally. The city uses 3.6 billion cubic meters of water annually. However, it only has about 3 billion cubic meters of renewable fresh water.
Groundwater makes up for the shortfall. Two-thirds of Beijing’s water comes from groundwater. One-third comes from surface water. Rainfall has declined significantly since the 1950s. One of the two main rivers, the Yongding River, was abandoned. Pollution made it unsuitable for drinking water.
Historically canals brought water to Beijing. They came from springs in the mountains. Guo Shoujing designed a system of lakes. This system allowed the city to thrive. It was far from a major river. Deforestation reduced the yield of these springs. They no longer supply Beijing with water. Groundwater and reservoirs replaced them. Dams were built in the 1950s. They became major sources of water.
The Miyun Reservoir is crucial for Beijing. It supplies water over 95 kilometers. The water travels through an open canal to the Huairou Reservoir. Then, it goes through iron and steel pipes to Beijing. Industries near the canal are prohibited. This prevents accidental pollution. The Miyun Reservoir is the city’s largest single water source. It also feeds Beijing’s lakes. These lakes were once fed by springs.
The Guanting Dam cannot provide drinking water. It is on the Yongding River. This has been the case since 1997 because of pollution. The reservoir still provides water for irrigation. It also serves industrial uses. These uses do not require high water quality.
Both reservoirs receive less water than before. The Guanting Reservoir receives 90 percent less water than in the 1950s. Both rivers are dry downstream for most of the year.
Beijing aggressively promotes water reclamation. The city has municipal wastewater treatment plants. These plants provide reclaimed water for non-potable uses. Regulations mandate reclamation facilities for residential areas.
Beijing faces challenges. These include water scarcity and groundwater depletion. Pollution of surface and ground water is also an issue. Floods are a serious problem too. Heavy floods strained the stormwater drainage system.
Beijing is one of the most water-scarce cities in the world. It has about 150 cubic meters per capita annually. The groundwater table has been declining for decades. This has caused land subsidence.
Responses to these challenges include groundwater exploitation. The South-North Water Transfer project is another response. Seawater desalination and reclaimed water are also used. Restriction of water use in neighboring provinces is another tactic. Water conservation efforts are underway. Institutional reforms promote integrated water management.
In 2001, the central government approved the South-North Water Transfer Project. This project supplies water to Beijing. The city also contemplates desalinated seawater.
The reuse of reclaimed wastewater is a major response to water scarcity. Beijing has made progress in using reclaimed water for non-potable purposes.
Walking along this abandoned canal, remember its past. Remember its role in Beijing’s water story. The canal’s silence speaks volumes about the city’s ongoing quest for sustainable water management. The story of \u5e9f\u5f03\u704c\u6e20 reminds us of the delicate balance. It is a balance between human needs and nature’s limits.