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China: Groundwater Rehabilitation under a changing climate

Project completed

In the past 30 years the aquifers in the semi-arid North China Plain have been greatly overexploited. Climate change is increasing the drought problem. The project assesses measures to establish a long-term balanced regional water budget by water imports and water saving and applies complementary use of precipitation, surface water and groundwater. The system is based on real-time monitoring of groundwater tables and pumping rates and controlling pumping wells via a quota system. The insights of this project can be applied also in other countries.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
China
Water
Climate change and environment
Water resources conservation
Water sector policy
Environmental policy
15.03.2014 - 31.07.2018
 CHF  6’057’740
The project in brief
Background

In arid and semi-arid regions, reliable agricultural production is only feasible with irrigation. Groundwater, being the only water resource available all year round, is more and more under stress. Only under strict management, aquifers will be able to relieve droughts reliably. China severely suffers from this problem. Additionally, droughts and heat waves increased by climate change, impact on the availability of water. In order to guarantee the availability of water, particularly for food security, a groundwater management system must be established.
Objectives

To strengthen the adaptation capacity to climate change  by supporting better groundwater management through real-time monitoring, modeling and controlling in areas under water stress.
Target groups
  • Poor farmers in the project pilot region, who have to pay more for groundwater pumping with increasing drawdown and whose income will suffer from climate variability.
  • Local water user associations and water authorities, whose water management work will be made more efficient with better management tools.
  • National research and policy advising institutes.
Medium-term outcomes
  • Outcome 1 Providing the data and information base for real-time water allocation.
  • Outcome 2 Developing and implementing an integrated real-time monitoring, modeling and controlling system to prevent groundwater depletion and build up adaptation capacity to climate change.
  • Outcome 3 Policy options are elaborated through dialogues with the stakeholders and implemented by the local authorities.
  • Outcome 4 Improved knowledge of using real-time monitoring, modeling and controlling system to prevent groundwater depletion for arid regions in developing countries.
Results

Results from previous phases:  

  • The project structure has been set up with national and sub-national stakeholders.
  • Project areas have been delineated.
  • Data collection, base model set up, initial assessment of the current infrastructure and monitoring system, design of data base and data platform.
Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Development cooperation
Project partners Contract partner
Private sector
Foreign state institution
Swiss Academic and Research Institution
  • ETHZ Zurich
  • National State Institute North
  • Swiss Private Sector
  • Sub-National State SouthEast


Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    6’057’740 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    6’022’636 Total project since first phase Budget inclusive project partner CHF   7’970’000
Project phases Phase 2 01.09.2018 - 31.12.2022   (Completed)

Phase 1 15.03.2014 - 31.07.2018   (Completed)

  • Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION
    GENERAL ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
    Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation
    Water sector policy and administrative management
    Water resources conservation (including data collection)
    Environmental policy and administrative management
    Aid Type Mandate without fiduciary fund
    SDC administrative costs
    Project number

    7F09047

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Last update 23.01.2021