China Revises Water Law, Putting Conservation and Resource Management at the Center of Policy
The legislation, approved by the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress, will take effect on March 22, 2027.
China's top legislature has approved a major revision of the country's Water Law, strengthening the legal framework for water conservation, resource allocation and the management of rivers and lakes as the country faces growing pressure to improve water-use efficiency and protect its water environment.
The Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress voted to pass the revised law on Friday. It will take effect on March 22, 2027, according to Xinhua.
The revised legislation contains nine chapters covering general provisions, water-resource planning, protection and development, allocation and conservation, river and lake management, water-project construction and operation, dispute resolution, supervision and legal liabilities.
A central principle of the revised law is that water conservation should take priority. It also calls for a more balanced spatial distribution of water resources and a systematic approach to water governance, with government oversight and market mechanisms working together.
The legislation provides a broader framework for coordinating the management of water resources, aquatic ecosystems, water environments and water-related disasters. It also emphasizes comprehensive planning, coordinated management, efficient use and efforts to address both immediate water problems and their underlying causes.
China's Water Law was first enacted in 1988 and underwent a major revision in 2002, followed by amendments in 2009 and 2016. The latest revision reflects the growing importance of water security in national development planning, particularly as regional differences in water availability create challenges for agriculture, industry, urban development and ecological protection.
China's water resources are unevenly distributed. Northern regions generally face greater water scarcity, while parts of the south receive substantially higher rainfall. The imbalance creates pressure on major river basins, agricultural production and the infrastructure used to transfer and distribute water.
The revised law's emphasis on spatial balance and integrated governance is intended to strengthen coordination among different regions and sectors. Water management involves not only ensuring supplies for households and businesses but also maintaining river flows, protecting wetlands, controlling pollution and reducing the risks associated with floods and droughts.
According to data from the Ministry of Water Resources cited by Xinhua, China's total water resources reached 2.72 trillion cubic meters in 2025. Water consumption per 10,000 yuan of gross domestic product declined by 4.5 percent year on year, while water consumption per 10,000 yuan of industrial added value fell by 7.2 percent.
Those figures indicate improvements in water-use efficiency, although they do not eliminate the challenge of regional scarcity or the need for further investment in infrastructure and conservation technologies.
For industrial companies, the revised law could reinforce the importance of efficient production processes, water recycling and compliance with local resource-management requirements. Water-intensive sectors such as chemicals, steel, textiles and power generation are likely to remain important areas for conservation efforts.
Agriculture is another major focus. Irrigation efficiency, the selection of water-saving crops and the maintenance of rural water infrastructure will be important to balancing food production with the need to conserve resources.
The legislation also places attention on river and lake management, water projects and the handling of water-related disputes. These provisions are relevant to local governments and companies involved in reservoirs, irrigation systems, flood-control infrastructure and other water-related projects.
The law's implementation will be important in determining how its broad principles translate into practical standards, enforcement and investment. The period before its March 2027 commencement may provide time for government departments and affected industries to prepare for the updated legal framework.
As China seeks to sustain economic growth while improving environmental protection, the revised Water Law signals that water efficiency and coordinated resource management will remain central policy priorities.