L2 : Integrated water abstraction and wastewater discharge permitting in Chaoyang Municipality
The purpose of Case Study L2 is to determine the best way to establish a joint system of management and enforcement of integrated water abstraction and waste water discharge permitting systems reflecting social, economic and environmental objectives.
The Water Law makes clear distinction between MWR and water agencies responsibilities for water bodies; SEPA and environmental agencies responsibilities in water quality and discharge standards and regulation; and joint responsibilities for pollution prevention and standards attainment. It is clearly specified that the water administration departments should monitor water quality conditions and that where problems are identified these are to be brought to the attention of the environmental protection administration. The water and environmental departments are to work jointly on planning activities. These provisions should have a significant impact in the future on maintaining good water quantity and water quality management at the basin level, providing the agencies involved cooperate and coordinate effectively. This should help achieve good water quality status in water bodies.
There is thus a need to find ways of establishing co-operation between the EPB and the WAB at the provincial-country level to follow the directives of the new Water Law. Clearly this is best achieved through the undertaking of a specific exercise of joint working with a real life practical example. The whole process of the co-operative venture is to be documented for translating into a practical guide of how to achieve the - joint system of management and enforcement of integrated water abstraction and waste water discharge permitting systems reflecting social, economic and environmental objectives.
Author: Wu Ji
Client: Chaoyang Municipality WAB and EPB
