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From Thirst to Abundance: China's Water Miracle
29 Sep
Summary
- Massive water diversion projects transformed arid northern China.
- South-to-North Water Diversion Project supplies over 90 billion cubic meters.
- The Grand Canal's ancient route is vital to eastern water flow.
- Water shortages once led to midnight bucket runs for water.
- Nearly 80% of Beijing's water now comes from the South.
- The project ensured Beijing's population growth and economic development.
- Thousands made sacrifices for the South-to-North Water Diversion Project.
- The Middle Route began supplying water in 2014 after its completion.
- The Eastern Route began supplying water after its completion in 2002.
- 2,500 years ago, the Grand Canal was built.
- Thousands of servicemen died during earlier water diversion efforts.
Decades ago, cities in North China grappled with severe water scarcity, often requiring residents to fetch water from public stations during limited supply hours. Droughts exacerbated these issues, leading to drastic measures like rationing and large-scale, life-risking water diversion projects, such as the 1982 effort to bring water from the Luanhe River to Tianjin.
To address these persistent shortages and support further development, China launched the ambitious South-to-North Water Diversion Project, a vast network of three channels stretching approximately 1,500 kilometers each. The eastern route, initiated in 2002, ingeniously utilizes the ancient Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal to lift water northward.
The middle route, commencing construction in 2003 and finishing in 2014, diverts water from Hubei province's Danjiangkou Reservoir, supplying critical areas including Beijing and Tianjin. Collectively, these two routes have delivered over 90 billion cubic meters of water, optimizing resource allocation and ensuring domestic, ecological, and industrial needs are met.
As a result, Beijing, for instance, now sources nearly 80% of its water from the south, a stark contrast to its past water stoppages. This project has been instrumental in supporting Beijing's population surge and the economic growth of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, securing a vital resource for future generations.
