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Kyushu space talks about the difference in water quality of the groundwater in the country
In ancient China, wells played a crucial role in daily life, from the 5,700-year-old square wooden well in Hemudu to the famous "Kanerjing" in Xinjiang. These water sources were essential for communities, and even today, many regions still rely heavily on groundwater. However, in recent years, concerns over the quality of this vital resource have grown significantly.
According to data from the Ministry of Land and Resources, in 2013, nearly 60% of the 4,778 monitoring points across the country showed poor or very poor groundwater quality. This alarming statistic highlights a serious issue: the overall condition of groundwater in China is deeply concerning. Yet, some experts argue that the current monitoring system is limited in scope and coverage, making it difficult to fully grasp the true state of groundwater.
Ms. Zhang from Henan recently looked at the murky water pulled from her well and sighed. She no longer sees the clear, clean water she once did. “It’s a little yellowish,†she said. “There’s a layer of oily residue on top, like burnt tea.â€
The Ministry of Environmental Protection and other agencies had previously issued the "North China Plains Groundwater Pollution Prevention and Control Work Plan," which identified pollutants such as cadmium, chromium, and lead in the region's groundwater. This confirmed the growing public concern about water quality. Wang Wei, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, explained that surface pollution and industrial discharges are the main causes of groundwater contamination. He noted that while past pollution involved inorganic substances like ammonia nitrogen and nitrates, the current threat comes from organic, non-degradable, and toxic substances. Monitoring has found over 100 harmful chemicals in groundwater in Beijing and Hebei.
Despite these findings, the 2013 report from the Ministry of Land and Resources stated that 59.6% of the country's groundwater was of poor quality. But does this number truly reflect the national situation? Zhang Zuochen, deputy director of the China Geological Environment Monitoring Institute, pointed out that relying solely on local monitoring data is not enough to understand the full picture. “If the monitoring network is incomplete, the data only reflects conditions at individual points, not the broader regional trends,†he said. “We need systematic investigations, such as hydrogeological mapping, to get a clearer understanding.â€
By the end of 2013, there were approximately 16,570 groundwater monitoring stations nationwide, covering around 1.1 million square kilometers. However, Zhang emphasized that the number of monitoring points is insufficient, and the level of automation and monitoring capability remains low, failing to meet the needs of economic and social development.
To address this, the Ministry of Land and Resources and the Ministry of Water Resources jointly applied to the National Development and Reform Commission for the construction of a national groundwater monitoring project. The project was approved on July 22, and according to Zhang, it will be completed within three years. It will establish 10,103 national-level monitoring points, enabling automatic data collection and transmission of water levels and temperatures. Once completed, this network will integrate with existing stations to provide comprehensive and real-time groundwater information, supporting scientific research and public demand for accurate data.