U2: SNWTP, China

• What is it?

  Water from areas of water surplus (Southern China) has been transported via canals to areas of water defecit (eg. Beijing)
• Eastern route


  • Finished in 2013
  • Mainly industrial and domestic use
  • Using existing rivers and canals
  • Already polluted
• Central route


  • Opened in 2014
  • For 20 cities (including Beijing)
  • Displaced 300,000 people
• Western route


  • Constructing several dams
  • Very expensive
  • Area it is running through experiences frequent earthquakes
  • Not finished
• Juicy facts:

  • Estimated completion date = 2050
  • Beijing needs an estimated 3.5 billion L per year
  • 12 trillion gallons moving per year
  • 435,000 people have relocated due to the project
  • Supplies 15 million people
  • 1/3 of North population live in area of 'thirst'
  • 35 cities benefit from the project
  • Costs roughly $62 billion
• What are the 3 routes?

  • Eastern
  • Western
  • Central