Water pollution law in effect next year
Print Edition
DRINKING water suppliers that fail to meet standards will be fined up to 200,000 yuan (US$32,000) and have their operations suspended, according to a new law on water pollution.
China’s top legislature yesterday passed a revised Water Pollution Prevention and Control Law to go into effect on January 1, 2018.
The law was adopted after a second reading at the bimonthly session of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.
Submitted for a first reading in December 2012, the new version strengthens government responsibility and supervision. It stipulates that emergency and back-up water resources should be set up in cities with single water sources and governments above county-level should make public information about drinking water quality at least once a quarter.
Building sewage outlets in protected drinking water source areas will merit a maximum fine of 1 million yuan (US$146,800).
The law instructs governments to build sewage treatment and garbage disposal facilities in rural areas, and that standards be set on fertilizer and pesticide use.
The law brings the “river chief” system into being, with leading officials assuming responsibility for addressing water pollution, including resource protection, waterline management, pollution prevention and control, and ecological restoration.
Officials who achieve their goals will be rewarded, while those who fail in their responsibilities will be punished with fines and lose promotion opportunities.
Lawmakers also reviewed the first soil pollution prevention and control law. According to the draft, all entities and individuals must prevent soil pollution and will be held accountable for damage caused.
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