Hard Engineering: South-North Water Transfer Project, China

Question 1

Pros of Water Transfer Project

Answer 1

Solve north-south water inequalities (Beijing 30% population, but only 7% China’s water)

Reduce over-abstraction of groundwater in the north (Created the problem)

Question 2

How does it work?

Answer 2

Three routes deliver water from Yangtze to northern China

Question 3

Cons of Water Transfer Project

Answer 3

May end up draining too much water from Southern China, creating more inequality

Question 4

Assessment

Answer 4

Overall positive as it will allow northern economies to further develop, improve quality of living as water scarcity is reduced

Also increases future water security as less aquifer and groundwater abstraction

However, may not be sustainable as Yangtze may face issues with climate change and flow could be reduced. How reliable is it?

Question 5

Why does northern China have water scarcity?

Answer 5

Climate change drying Yellow river as glacial meltwater reduced

Overabstraction due to rivers running drier