Latest News:  

English>>China Society

Seawater can save thirsty country

By Wang Qian (China Daily)

14:47, May 06, 2013

More government support, including subsidies and a favorable pricing mechanism, is needed for the country to use desalinated seawater to quench its thirst, a top industry expert said.

"The lack of an effective pricing mechanism for desalinated water and support for an operable policy is affecting the development of the country's sea desalination industry," said Li Linmei, director of the State Oceanic Administration's Institute of Seawater Desalination and Multipurpose Utilization in Tianjin.

The country aims to produce 2.2 million cubic meters of desalinated seawater daily in 2015, about three times current capacity, according to a National Development and Reform Commission plan released last year.

Current domestic water prices range from 2.4 yuan to 4.9 yuan a metric ton in the coastal regions, while the price of water for industry ranges from 3.3 yuan to 7.9 yuan a ton, according to ChinaWaterNet.

However, desalination plants can produce 674,000 tons daily at a cost of about 5 yuan ($0.80) a ton — not including infrastructure such as pipelines.

Li said the government should consider bringing desalinated water into the water grid.

Aside from subsidies and funding for pilot programs, Li believes desalination is a key part of water security.

"The seawater desalination industry is as important as water conservancy projects for China to cope with its water shortage," Li said.

China suffers from severe water shortages, nearly 54 billion cubic meters on average every year. This means that more than 66 percent of cities experience water shortages.

To compound that difficulty, water consumption is expected to surge to about 700 billion cubic meters in 2030, up from 600 billion cubic meters.

Facing such a severe shortage, authorities are taking measures.

In March, the NDRC identified the regions and companies selected to carry out the first desalination projects, including heavily populated areas such as Zhejiang and Hebei provinces, and the municipalities of Shenzhen and Tianjin.

The commission asked regions and companies to encourage desalinated water use for industrial and domestic purposes.

The industry is expected to get a 10-billion-yuan boost from the plan.

Li said the policy showed the country's determination and confidence in boosting the industry.

Key technology

Reverse osmosis technology and other areas of development vital for desalination have been mastered, Li said.

Osmosis technology pushes water under high pressure through fine membranes, filtering the salt.

Coupled with the distilling process of high-pressure steam and evaporators, this means that the technology is, in more ways than one, on tap.

The country has 16 seawater desalination plants with a daily capacity of more than 10,000 metric tons of fresh water, according to the NDRC.

"Although we have made great progress in technology, large-scale plants in China still depend on foreign technology," Li said.

Desalination is used in more than 150 countries to supply water to more than 200 million people.

The Tianjin Institute of Seawater Desalination and Multipurpose Utilization is strengthening international cooperation to raise China's domestic seawater desalination technology and boost exports, Li said.

There are concerns about the potential environmental effects of large-scale seawater desalination plants, especially wastewater discharges.

Li said the government should launch an environmental assessment before any major upgrade

We Recommend:

Photo story: Flight attendant's daily work

Touching love stories in earthquake

China’s weekly story (2013.4.19-4.26)

Female pilot rescues quake-wounded

Cool shades
Summer is coming

Images of Hong Kong
in 15 years

China’s weekly story (2013.4.13-4.19)

Nothing left but heartbreaking memories

Photo story: Meeting a telephone operator girl

Email|Print|Comments(Editor:GaoYinan、Chen Lidan)

Leave your comment0 comments

  1. Name

  

Selections for you


  1. China's WZ-10 armed helicopter

  2. Pakistani soldiers carry electoral materials

  3. Photos of the week

  4. Crackdown on sale of overused pesticide

  5. People have pets trimmed

  6. Beijing welcomes longest subway line

  7. Hong Kong's ducky desserts popular

  8. Christie's, Sotheby's go head-to-head

  9. Investors shake off speculation of new listings

  10. Bamboo's alchemic ability

Most Popular

Opinions

  1. Private retirement system to benefit China
  2. Bill Gates: Innovation from China boosts agricultural development in Africa
  3. Not much stomach for mutton over fear of fake
  4. South Korean President Park's US visit carries hope
  5. Young Chinese face hard road to happiness
  6. Commentary: Abe walks on dangerous path
  7. Celebrity diving show 'excessive': People's Daily
  8. China Voice: Salute builders of the "Chinese dream"
  9. Any future peace deal to be put to referendum
  10. Ancient Chinese tower tests classic literature buffs

What’s happening in China

2 killed, 1 injured in man's street knife attacks in Beijing

  1. Attacker named after killing two in Beijing
  2. Program helps mentally disabled get jobs
  3. Stars could face penalty over food ads
  4. Identifying real and fake lamb
  5. Suspects accused of selling tainted pork