Chongqing - Chongqing, located in Southwest China, has recently implemented its fifth municipal river chief system in response to China’s nationwide initiative to prevent water pollution, according to a press conference on June 8. 

The River Chief policy is an innovative water resource management system in China to manage water pollution and improve water quality. The advantages of the policy in basin environmental governance involve clear government responsibility, enhanced coordination among government departments, and the accountability mechanism of the one-vote veto system.

Constructing the “Rivers and Lakes for Happiness” program is an essential measure for managing and protecting rivers and lakes in Chongqing, said Jiang Xia, director of the Chongqing Water Resources Bureau.

In the future, Chongqing will focus on five aspects to advance its construction, including flood prevention and safety, high-quality water resources, a healthy aquatic ecosystem, a livable water environment, and an advanced water culture.

 By 2027, Chongqing aims to build more than 100 municipal-level “Rivers and Lakes for Happiness” projects, including reservoirs. By 2035, the city aims to build over 1,000 such water bodies, marking a significant initiative expansion.

Ongoing endeavors will be made to enhance water quality in Chongqing. By 2027, Chongqing aims to execute river governance projects spanning 1,000 kilometers, with a simultaneous increase in the annual water supply capacity of water conservancy projects by one billion cubic meters. 

To meet this goal, different departments will take practical actions. 

For instance, the Chongqing Water Resources Bureau will establish a robust evaluation system incorporating public feedback and implement dynamic management practices to ensure policy efficiency, while the Chongqing Ecology and Environment Bureau will deepen comprehensive management in critical river basins and enhance environmental water management. 

As the final guardians of the upstream Yangtze River’s ecological well-being, Chengdu and Chongqing are dedicated to reinforcing this vital ecological barrier through collective action. 

Their shared goal is to maintain superb water quality in the Chengdu-Chongqing section of the Yangtze River, aiming to attain a 100% water quality compliance rate in 25 cross-border river segments spanning two regions. 

Ren Lijuan, deputy director of the Chongqing Water Resources Bureau, highlighted the significance of real-time sharing of rainfall and water information at key monitoring stations. Establishing an integrated water security framework for Sichuan and Chongqing is crucial for effective water management and planning.

Ren said that preserving the cultural heritage associated with rivers and lakes, particularly the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers, is equally important. This involves conducting thorough analyses of hydroculture, changes in water systems, and the development of effective river and lake governance strategies.