Analysis of Distribution of Water Resources in Zhejiang Province

Home , Dongyang, Ou River (Zhejiang), Qiantang River, Yiwu

Water Resources Management III 413

Analysis of distribution of water resources in Zhejiang province

J. Liu, W. Shao & T. Zhang Department of Civil Engineering, Zhejiang University, People’s Republic of China

Abstract

The quantity of water resources per capita in Zhejiang is only 2118.82 m3, which is much lower than the average level throughout the world. Moreover, most of the water is seriously polluted. The temporal and spatial distribution of water resources is quite unbalanced. Therefore, it is important to have a rational distribution system of water resources in Zhejiang. Firstly, in this paper, the characteristics of water resources and the state of the distribution system of water resources in Zhejiang province are briefly outlined. Secondly, the rational distribution system of water resources for Zhejiang is analyzed in four aspects. The first is how to carry out the distribution of water rights by the Water Affair Management Bureau and to carry out the redistribution by the market. The second is how to carry out the distribution of water environment rights through the distribution of the sewage discharge ration and to trade the ration in the market. The third is the necessity of the emergency distribution measures carried out by Water Affair Management Bureau in an emergency. The fourth is the essentiality of the laws and regulations regarding the rational distribution system of water resources. Finally, some reform proposals for establishing a rational distribution system of water resources in Zhejiang are put forward at the end of the paper. The distribution of water rights should be definite and proper. There should be free trade of water rights. It is necessary to pay more attention to the effect of water environment rights on water rights and to apply both administrative and marketable measures to carry out the distribution. The emergency distribution measures and the laws and regulations regarding the distribution system of water resources should be established. Keywords: water resources, water environment resources, distribution, market, government.

1 Introduction

Water is the lifeline of all the nations. The quantity of water resources per capita in China is 2,300 m3, which is much lower than the average level in the world. Although there are abundant rainfall and water resources, the quantity of water resources per capita in Zhejiang is only 2,118.82 m3, which is lower than that in China. This is caused by not only large density of population but also serious water pollution. Therefore, it is very important to develop a rational distribution system of water resources in Zhejiang province now. The studies of distribution systems of water resources have been carried out in some developed countries for several decades. Some of them like America, Australia and England have established integrated systems to distribute water resources more reasonably. The analogous studies in China are a little late, but more and more studies will be carried out because of the severe existed problem of water resources in China.

2 Summary of the state of water resources in Zhejiang

There are eight main rivers flowing across Zhejiang. They are Qiantang River, Ou River, Ling River, Tiao River, Yong River, Feiyun River, Ao River and Cao’e River. The characteristics of water resources in Zhejiang are: a. The spatial distribution of water resources is uneven. Eighty percent of water resources are in west mountainous area and only twenty percent are in east plain. Unfortunately, there are much more water demands from the east region because of higher density of population, richer life and faster development speed. b. The temporal distribution of water resources is uneven. The rainfall and runoff concentrate in several months of the year and vary from one year to another. c. The length of most rainfall is greatly short, and the flows are current. Only thirty percent of the river runoff can be used as water resources. d. The phenomenon of water pollution is becoming more and more serious. The characteristics of water resources in Zhejiang are outlined in table 1.

Table 1: The characteristics of water resources in Zhejiang.

Spatial distribution About 80% in the west 20% in the east Temporal Abundant from April to Absent in other months distribution August More than 70% can’t be Water can be used Less than 30% can be used used Water quality Under class Ⅲ: 74.3% Upwards of class Ⅳ: 25.7%

It is important to adjust measures to local conditions, with a view to the characteristics of water resources, when we are studying the distribution system of water resources in Zhejiang.

3 Actuality of the distribution of water resources in Zhejiang

Most areas in Zhejiang are implementing a water use permission system. The execution of this system can be seen as the first distribution of water rights to a certain extent. Water property and water rights are separated to some extent and water users are entitled to the right to use and profit from water resources. However, the user’s water rights are limited in many aspects in the system. For example, it can’t be fixed forever or be sold to other users [1]. The distribution of water resources is mainly based on the applications of water use from users and the examination and approval from the water resources management department of government. The quantity of water distributed to the user is determined according to the so-called “priority order”, such as: agriculture use, industry use, commerce use, etc by the water management department. Users must pay relevant water resources tariff according to the quantity of water they have used [2]. It has been proved that the water use permission system is unsuitable for Zhejiang province. Users have no enthusiasm to use water frugally because water rights can’t be sold. It may be unfair and inefficient because “priority order” isn’t often in accordance with the reality. Water resources tariff is very low because of various reasons. The above factors lead to a strange phenomenon: some are lack of water resources while others are wasting water resources in Zhejiang. Moreover, water resources are not controlled by several departments of government included departments of water conservancy, municipal construction and public utility. Not one department in Zhejiang province can join in the management. It increases the difficulties in rational distribution of water resources and solving problems on water saving and water environment protection. As a result, the water use permission system is unsuitable to distribute rationally in Zhejiang. A new system is necessary and should be put forward to solve all these problems on water resources.

4 Analysis of distribution of water resources in Zhejiang

The rational distribution of water resources is that limited water resources are distributed to users according to principles of justice, efficiency, sustainable development in one drainage basin or a region [3]. Based on the characteristics of water resources and the present distribution system of water resources, the new distribution system of water resources suitable for Zhejiang should include: the first distribution of water rights established through united management of water resources and democratic negotiation, the redistribution of water rights and protection of water environment resources through market, the emergency distribution measures carried out by Water Affair Management Bureau in emergency, the essential laws and regulations about the rational distribution system of water resources.

4.1 The first distribution and the redistribution of water rights Water users usually regard water resources as “free public resources” because of the low water resources tariff and the absence of specific first distribution of water resources. It has been proved by economics and practice that “free public resources” will be soon used up because there are no efficient measures to prevent the users from using and even wasting the resources farthest. Water resources tariff can only be increased step by step. Therefore, it is very important to specify the first distribution of water rights. Separate management of water resources by several departments of the government is an obstacle to build a definite first distribution system of water rights. In contrast, united management by a special department is suitable for Zhejiang. Therefore, the Water Affair Management Bureau of Zhejiang should be constituted. The main staff is composed of officials from provincial government and city government in the province, and by specialists from water resources research department. Its duty is to put forward the first distribution plan of water rights, to constitute laws and regulations of water resources, to manage the main water conservancy in the province, to protect water environment and to upgrade the public water resources information system. The main duty of Water Affair Management Bureau of Zhejiang is to confirm or modify the first distribution of water rights by promoting water resources conference every year. The conference delegates include officials from Water Affair Management Bureau and governments, officials and delegates of users from every region in the province and specialists. The first distribution plan of water rights is confirmed or modified through fair negotiation and careful argumentation in the conference. Water rights are distributed to every region based on the plan. One region’s water rights are distributed to users in this region through fair negotiation too. The process of first distribution of water rights is as described above. The first distribution of water rights is not rational to water users because the natural distribution and demand of water resources is unbalanced. Water is oversupplied in some places and missing in other places. Therefore, the redistribution of water rights is necessary. If the trade of water rights is forbidden and the redistribution is just carried out by administrative measures, it would arouse large loss and conflict because the administrative measures are always behindhand and subjective, sometimes not fair or reasonable. In contrast, if the trade of water rights is permitted, it will be efficient and favourable because the redistribution is carried out by demand and supply in market instead of government officials. For example, water might be missing to provide greater benefits for downstream users instead of upstream users of one drainage basin or for industry users instead of agriculture users. The downstream users or the industry users can buy water rights from upstream users or agriculture users to satisfy their water demands. Therefore, water resources can be distributed efficiently and timely among various users through the trade of water rights by market. Water tariff is a very important factor in redistribution of water rights by market. Rational structure of water tariff should be established. Agriculture water

WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment, Vol 80, © 2005 WIT Press www.witpress.com, ISSN 1743-3541 (on-line) Water Resources Management III 417 users have no motivation to save water resources because of the low water resources tariff. Therefore, the water resources tariff should be increased and the selective assistance should be offered to peasants in depressed area. Water tariff should comprise water resources value, water conservancy cost, water environment protection cost and proper profit. Water tariff should be increased gradually and different level of water tariff should be charge for different water quality and quantity. In addition, water tariff must be limited in an appropriate range when users are trading the water rights. The process of first distribution and redistribution of water resources is outlined in Figure 1.

Water affair management bureau

distirbution plan certain scheme first distribution Conference

Bureau deal officials region1 region2 officials first distribution first distribution delegates from regions

user delegates deal deal deal specialists user1 user2 user3 user4

Figure 1: Process of first distribution and redistribution of water rights.

4.2 Effect of water environment rights in distribution system

The effect of water environment resources in the distribution system must be regarded because water pollution problems are very serious and prevent Zhejiang from developing more. Some scholars studied water environment several years ago and got the conclusion that water environment could be treated as a resource. Similar to water rights, “water environment rights” are put forward here to specify water environment resources. The distribution system of water environment rights can be developed to protect water environment more effectively through first distribution and redistribution of water environment resources.

The total maximal sewage discharge quantity is qualified through careful investigation and argumentation by Water Affair Management Bureau based on the principle of sustainable development. Water environment rights are distributed to users by switching it to user’s maximal sewage discharge quantity through negotiation in the conference mentioned above. There must be a conversion criterion for the convenience of first distribution and trade of water environment rights because the components of contamination in sewage water vary with the users (like chemistry industry users and restaurant users). Water environment rights can be redistributed by traded it in the market between users who have more urgent need or use it more efficiently and users who have surplus rights. If the user’s sewage discharge quantity cannot be used up and has not been sold to other users yet in a year, the remaining quantity can be saved in a special institution like a bank for future using or trading. Water environment resources will be protected and efficiently used with measures described above.

4.3 Macro control and emergency distribution in the system

The redistribution of water rights by market may encounter problems difficult to be solved. For example, it is usually impossible to trade water rights between two users far away from each other, because the cost of water conservancy constructed for delivering the traded water is too large for the users who can’t afford it. Macro control and measures adopted by Water Affair Management Bureau based on integral state of the whole province are especially important when the above problem is encountered. The famous great project “transporting south water to north” carried out by central government of China can give us some ideas. There are only twenty percent of water resources in east of Zhejiang while much more water demands needed to be satisfied in the east because of higher population density, richer life and faster development speed. Therefore water in west of Zhejiang can be transported to the east by constructing a channel and the financing is from companies and banks. The tariff of water from this channel should comprise water resources tariff, the construction cost and proper profit (to companies) and accrual (to banks). Moreover, the macro control carried out by Water Affair Management Bureau should also include proposing viewpoints in favour of rational distribution and sustainable utilization of water resources in whole province, supervising and protecting water environment, controlling flood and water logging, establishing laws and rules to ensure fair distribution and trade of water rights. Droughts happen frequently in autumn and winter in Zhejiang. Therefore emergency distribution measures should be established by Water Affair Management Bureau in order to mitigate the negative drought effects and assure the daily life of the residents. Water rights will rarely be traded or is traded with high price in seriously drought period. During this period it is not very appropriate to distribute water resources through trade in market because populations water supply is of major importance. The emergency distribution should be used in this case. Public water supply use and agriculture use should be satisfied first because the daily lives of people and food supplies are the most

WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment, Vol 80, © 2005 WIT Press www.witpress.com, ISSN 1743-3541 (on-line) Water Resources Management III 419 basic goods of the whole society and economy in Zhejiang province. However, water should be rationally supplied to every user per day to avoid water wasting. In addition, the state of water emergency should be set based on some concrete data (for example, rainfall). Emergency distribution measures can be implemented and cancelled locally. 4.4 Laws and rules in distribution system Relevant laws and rules are guarantees of implementing the distribution system of water resources successfully. The laws and rules should include four main aspects: assuring to the users a certain and exclusive water rights every year, allowing trade in water rights with rational price, legalizing the emergency distribution measures in water emergency announced by Water Affair Management Bureau and settling conflicts of water affair based on a certain program. 5 Case study Dongyang and Yiwu are neighbouring cities in the drainage basin of Jinhua River in Zhejiang province. Water resources in Dongyang are more abundant than Yiwu. More than 30,000,000 m3 of water from Dongyang flows to Jinhua river without any utilizations every year, because the water is oversupplied in Dongyang. In contrary, lack of water resources is a big trouble obstructing the development of Yiwu [4]. Government officials of Yiwu had contacted with officials of Dongyang actively to negotiate about importing water from Dongyang for several years before 2000. These negotiations lasted long time but didn’t work because only administrative measures were considered to solve this problem and these measures couldn’t be accepted by both of them all along. The acceptable measures were put forward eventually by officials of the two cities in 2000. Yiwu spent two hundred millions RMB totally buying long-term water rights of 50,000,000 m3 water in Hengjin reservoir in Dongyang. The problems aroused by lack of water resources in Yiwu have been greatly alleviated and the development of Dongyang has been accelerated with the amount paid by Yiwu. It has been proved that great lack of water in Yiwu and a waste of water resources in Dongyang would be aroused, if water rights were distributed exclusively through administrative measures. In contrast, Yiwu and Dongyang now got water and funds respectively with this trade and could develop the economy faster. Therefore, permission of trade in water rights among regions or users should be a main aspect of the distribution system. Water environment rights trade should be also allowed. However, some problems existed in this trade. They are whether the charge of water resources is reasonable, how to perform the contract if Dongyang has no enough water for itself in serious drought season and lack of laws and rules for ensuring a bargain. Those problems can be settled by constructing a whole distribution system of water resources in Zhejiang as described in section 4.

6 Conclusions The rational distribution system of water resources suitable for Zhejiang should include: the first distribution of water rights through uniform management of water resources by Water Affair Management Bureau and democratic negotiation, the redistribution of water rights and protection of water environment resources through market, the emergency distribution measures carried out by Water Affair Management Bureau in emergency, the essential laws and regulations about the rational distribution system of water resources. It should be pointed out that no distribution system of water resources is eternal. It must be changed to adapt to the development of the economy system. Therefore, the new distribution system in Zhejiang should be improved constantly.

References

[1] Angang, H., Zulin, S. & Wang, Y., Analysis of the reformation of water resources distribution system in China through the trade of water rights between Dongyang and Yiwu. Reference to economy research, 20, pp. 35- 37, 2002. [2] Yiming, L. & Ying, L., Analysis of the validity of water resources distribution system in China. Researches on soil resources, 1, pp. 5-6, 2001. [3] Hong, G., Lingyue, L., & Mingwan, Y., Analysis of rational distribution of water resources. China water conservancy, 4, pp. 20-23, 2000. [4] Yahua, W., Angang, H. & Disheng, Z., Investigation reports on the trade of water rights between Dongyang and Yiwu. Reference to economy research, 20, pp. 25-30, 2002.