According to a set of rules on water saving promulgated by the Beijing Municipal Government, government offices and local residents will be fined if they do not use water economically.

Car wash’s are required to use water saving devices and install water recycling equipment. The fine for wasting water can be as much as 20,000 yuan (US$2,410).

Water permeability will be a new criterion used for new roads to be built in the Chinese capital in the future. The roads must be pervious for water so the underground water level can rise.

Lawns built in the municipality must be lower than the road surface.

Beijing encourages the offices and residents to collect and use rain water with special equipment.

Water quotas have been set for bathing, car wash’s, garden irrigation, and beverage plants. Water consumed above the quota can be charged 15 times that of the original water price.

Beijing has suffered from water shortages as the per-capita water resource is around 300 cubic meters, which is one eighth of the national average, or one 30th of the world average.

Beijing has adopted a series of water saving measures, which are expected to save 187 million cubic meters of water annually.

(People’s Daily 12/20/2000)