South-North Water Transfer Project

The Central Route

The Eastern Route is not yet complete, although construction has been ongoing since late 2002. The goal of the Eastern Route is to divert water from the Yangtze River to parts of northern China, especially to major cities like Tianjin. In fact, as of 2017, water has reached Tianjin.

The Eastern Route is largely an upgrade and overhaul to parts of a pre-existing canal called 'the Grand Canal,' the origins of which stretch all the way back to the 5th century BC.

Unlike the Grand Aqueduct, the Grand Canal makes use of pumping stations to enable water to flow. In fact, the completed project is expected to include over 20 pumping stations and will span over 1,100 kilometres.

The Western Route

Construction on the Western Route has not yet begun.

Hypothetically, the Western Route would divert water from several tributary rivers of the Yangtze River in southwestern China and channel that water toward the Yellow River, for the purpose of sending more water toward northern regions like Inner Mongolia, Qinghai, and Gansu.

A major issue prohibiting the construction of the Western Route is the fact that these tributary rivers extend outside of Chinese territory. The Mekong River, a massive river in and of itself, provides water for much of southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia. Similarly, the Brahmaputra River flows through India and Bangladesh. Under current plans for the Western Route, a significant amount of water would be diverted away from other countries in Asia.

South-North Water Transfer Project China cost

Diverting rivers is not cheap. Building and maintaining canals, dams, and pumping stations cost a great deal of money. Thus far, the project has cost upwards of £65 billion. The Eastern route is not complete, and construction on the Western Route has not even started!

As the project creates new aquatic landscapes, there are financial benefits to reap. The engineering feats promote tourism, and new access to water supports economic needs (water for crops, drinking water, industrial water) and water-based leisure (such as fishing).

Environmental impact of the South-North Water Transfer Project in China

Ideally, the South-North Water Transfer Project should simultaneously resolve drought issues in the north and flooding problems in the south. Though the project remains incomplete, the successful diversion of water via the Central Route suggests the hypothetical goal may be achievable.

However, the environmental impact of the South-North Water Transfer Project has been mixed. On the one hand, the diversion of water to arid parts of northern China has aided parched northern ecosystems and agriculture. On the other hand, it has drained parts of the Han River. And despite regulations, the Central Route has also been polluted because some tributary rivers are often used as dumping grounds.

Water and waste from the canals have leaked into local pipelines along the routes. There is concern that waterborne diseases may be transported from the south to the north, although water treatment plants have been built to attempt to mitigate this risk. Additionally, the radical reshaping of the landscape has disrupted natural ecosystems, especially for fish.

South-North Water Transfer Project China pros and cons

Let's have a look at some of the pros and cons of the South-North Water Transfer Project in China.

Pros:

• The project has successfully diverted water from southern China to northern China.
• The project has helped to mitigate drought issues in the north and flooding issues in the south.
• The engineering accomplishment can be a source of national pride and a reason for tourism.
• The new access to water helps sustain northern industries and infrastructure that rely on water to function.
• The new access to water also allows for water-based leisure activities.

Cons:

• The project is very expensive.
• Project construction has displaced hundreds of thousands of people.
• The project has spread pollution.
• There are concerns that the project will allow waterborne illnesses to spread from the south to the north.
• The project has disrupted natural aquatic ecosystems.
• Tributary rivers may be drained more than anticipated, as seen with the Han River.
• The Western Route can likely not be completed without threatening the water supplies of India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

So, can the South-North Water Transfer Project serve as a case study for nations in similar situations?

Qua Baoxing, the former vice-minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, has said that the project is not sustainable. Between the high monetary cost and spread of pollution, the project is increasingly difficult to manage, maintain, and afford.¹

Alternatives to freshwater diversion include collecting and repurposing rainwater; recycling wastewater; and desalination of ocean water. But for now, China will continue to invest in the South-North Water Transfer Project, which remains one of the largest engineering feats in human history.