Groundwater resources and development in China

Since the establishment of new China, great attention has been paid by the government to the investigation of groundwater resources. On the basis of regional hydrogeological mapping covering most parts of the territory, an overall evaluation of groundwater resources in China is about 872 billion m³/a, in which the amounts of pore water, fissure water, and karst water are calculated separately, and the consumption of groundwater is also accounted for. Much prospecting work has been carried out for the development of well irrigation as well as the urban water supply of industrial cities. This extensive work has provided a scientific basis for the rational development and utilization of groundwater resources. According to statistics, 11.3 million ha of arable land are irrigated with water from wells, and the annual exploitation of underground water has reached 40 billion m³. In 27 cities of North China, the output of groundwater reached 6.86 million m³/d, which amounted to 87% of the total water consumed. The distribution and different hydrogeological characteristics of groundwater resources in various regions are discussed in this article, including some environmental hydrogeological problems related to the exploitation and utilization of groundwater. In short, it is evident that groundwater resources play a significant role in both urban and rural water supply, and promote the development of agriculture and industries in China.