Beijing's Reclaimed Water Programme — the City's 'Second Water Source'

Beijing, a historically water-stressed capital, has built up large-scale wastewater reclamation infrastructure as part of its water-supply strategy alongside the South-to-North Water Diversion project. According to the Beijing Water Authority, reported via Xinhua and the State Council's gov.cn, the city recycled 1.28 billion cubic metres of water in 2023.

Of that total, 1.18 billion cubic metres — the large majority — was used for 'ecological and environmental purposes', replenishing rivers, lakes and wetlands, while recycled water separately accounted for over 30% of water consumption in the industrial and sanitation sectors. Overall, reclaimed water met nearly 30% of Beijing's total water consumption in 2023, a figure both outlets describe as a record high that has made recycled water the city's stable 'second water source'.

These figures come from the Beijing municipal water authority via state media and were not independently audited in the sources reviewed. No ecological-outcome monitoring data (for example, measured changes in wetland health or species presence) accompanying the ecological-replenishment claim were found, so the stated ecological benefit, while plausible given the volumes involved, is only partially evidenced.

Read the full analysis: https://english.news.cn/20240926/101b89d32ccd45fca182796127f24077/c.html