China’s water situation; the supply of water and the pattern of its usage

Abstract

This study specifically looked at total water supply in China, water withdrawal from various sources and various usage of water. From the analysis, it was realized that water supply from the underground source contributes greatly to the total water supply in China, a cubic unit withdrawal in underground water results in about 45% increase in the total water supply. Water from other sources also contributes to the total water supply in China. Water from other sources includes supplies from wastewater treatment, rain collection, seawater desalinization and other water projects. The result shows that a cubic unit increase in withdrawals from other sources results in about 3% change in gross water supply in China. A cubic unit withdrawal of water for industrial use results in about 29% increase in water use in China. For the agriculture sector, the result shows that a cubic unit increase in agriculture usage leads to approximately 67% increase in total water use in China. Water for household consumption, saw a 15% increase in total water usage in China for every cubic unit withdrawal.