Enviro News Asia, Beijing — The Chinese government has issued a new regulation on water supply aimed at enhancing service quality, safeguarding water security, and supporting sustainable economic and social development.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang has signed a State Council decree promulgating the regulation, which will come into force on June 1, 2026, according to Xinhua News Agency.
The regulation, consisting of eight chapters and 50 articles, is designed to promote high-quality development in the water supply sector while ensuring the safety and reliability of water services for the public. It also seeks to improve water supply management to better meet the demands of economic growth and people’s livelihoods.
The regulation emphasizes a balanced approach between the development of water sources and water conservation, with a focus on ensuring equitable access to water supply services. It highlights the importance of strengthening the security of water sources and accelerating the construction and upgrading of water supply infrastructure.
In addition, the regulation calls for standardized water supply operations and service delivery, enhanced management and protection of water supply facilities, and the improvement of emergency response mechanisms to address supply disruptions and public safety risks.
The legal framework also reinforces accountability by clearly defining violations and increasing penalties for non-compliance, underscoring the government’s commitment to stronger oversight and enforcement in the water supply sector.
The issuance of the regulation reflects China’s broader efforts to modernize public utilities governance and ensure long-term water security amid growing urbanization and climate-related challenges. (*)
