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South-to-North Water Diversion stabilizing Beijing’s groundwater levels

Author

Listed:
  • Di Long

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Wenting Yang

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Bridget R. Scanlon

    (The University of Texas at Austin)

  • Jianshi Zhao

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Dagen Liu

    (Beijing Water Authority)

  • Peter Burek

    (International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis)

  • Yun Pan

    (Capital Normal University)

  • Liangzhi You

    (Huazhong Agricultural University
    International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI))

  • Yoshihide Wada

    (International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis)

Abstract

Groundwater (GW) overexploitation is a critical issue in North China with large GW level declines resulting in urban water scarcity, unsustainable agricultural production, and adverse ecological impacts. One approach to addressing GW depletion was to transport water from the humid south. However, impacts of water diversion on GW remained largely unknown. Here, we show impacts of the central South-to-North Water Diversion on GW storage recovery in Beijing within the context of climate variability and other policies. Water diverted to Beijing reduces cumulative GW depletion by ~3.6 km3, accounting for 40% of total GW storage recovery during 2006–2018. Increased precipitation contributes similar volumes to GW storage recovery of ~2.7 km3 (30%) along with policies on reduced irrigation (~2.8 km3, 30%). This recovery is projected to continue in the coming decade. Engineering approaches, such as water diversions, will increasingly be required to move towards sustainable water management.

Suggested Citation

  • Di Long & Wenting Yang & Bridget R. Scanlon & Jianshi Zhao & Dagen Liu & Peter Burek & Yun Pan & Liangzhi You & Yoshihide Wada, 2020. "South-to-North Water Diversion stabilizing Beijing’s groundwater levels," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-17428-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17428-6
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhe Cheng & Yuntong Zhao & Tao Song & Le Cheng & Wenbin Wang, 2023. "White Elephant or Golden Goose? An Assessment of Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project from the Perspective of Regional Water Use Efficiency," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 37(2), pages 819-834, January.
    2. Hanfang Xu & Zhen Yao, "undated". "The impact of the south-to-north water diversion project on the usage of water-saving irrigation machinery," Review of Socio - Economic Perspectives 202216, Reviewsep.
    3. Xia, Rui & Zou, Lei & Zhang, Yuan & Zhang, Yongyong & Chen, Yan & Liu, Chengjian & Yang, Zhongwen & Ma, Shuqin, 2022. "Algal bloom prediction influenced by the Water Transfer Project in the Middle-lower Hanjiang River," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 463(C).
    4. Tejasvi Chauhan & Anjana Devanand & Mathew Koll Roxy & Karumuri Ashok & Subimal Ghosh, 2023. "River interlinking alters land-atmosphere feedback and changes the Indian summer monsoon," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.
    5. Ruoqi Ma & Mingquan Yan & Peng Han & Ting Wang & Bin Li & Shungui Zhou & Tong Zheng & Yandi Hu & Alistair G. L. Borthwick & Chunmiao Zheng & Jinren Ni, 2022. "Deficiency and excess of groundwater iodine and their health associations," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-13, December.

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