Our third law is the Water Law of the People’s Republic of China, which was first effected in October 2002.
This law mainly talks about the development, utilisation and protection of water resources, including the prevention and control of water hazards, in an attempt to accommodate national economic development and attend to the people’s welfare. The law also emphasises the importance of clear and comprehensive plans, formulated by relevant authorities with the respective competent water administration department.
Furthermore, the Water Law provides the most well-defined directive regarding private sectors’ investments in China’s water sectors, by moving towards a market-based system. Most importantly, the law institutes a system where fees are imposed for usage of water, and progressively, increase in usage will imply higher fees, especially amounts that exceed the quota provided. The Water Law has placed greater emphasis on improving water efficiency and water management, also superseding the previous comprehensive Water Law which was initially implemented in 1988.