China wastewater reuse strategies must match local demand to solve scarcity
A new study led by Professor Shen Lei of the Chinese Academy of Sciences argues that China's wastewater treatment capacity must align with local demand to effectively address water scarcity.
National inventory reveals geographic misalignment
Researchers compiled a national inventory containing data on over 10,826 wastewater treatment plants across the country. The analysis integrated information regarding sewer networks, reclaimed-water demand, and water scarcity levels in different regions. Results indicate that supply, treatment facilities, and reuse needs are often not located in the same areas.
Centralized expansion may fail locally
Simply expanding centralized infrastructure does not guarantee a solution for water shortages in every region. The team found that only about 450 million people currently live where reuse can recover costs and help significantly. Tailoring strategies to specific local conditions is necessary rather than relying on uniform national expansion.
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