The State Council Issues Water Pollution Action Plan

On April 16, the State Council issued an "Action Plan for Prevention and Treatment of Water Pollution" (also called as the "Ten-point Water Plan"). The Plan outlines detailed industrial pollution control measures and calls for economic restructuring and strict law enforcement. 

The Plan lists 10 major polluting industries, including nonferrous materials and electroplating. According to the Plan, tight controls are to be placed on these polluting industries, such as emission limits and close supervision from authorities and the public. As well, the Plan calls for all outdated capacity in these 10 industries to be phased out by 2016. 

The Plan also requires efforts to improve water consumption efficiency in industrial production. For example, the Plan includes water price reform as a major measure to drive down emissions by increasing the manufacturing cost of polluting industries, so as to achieve the goal of enhancing water quality in China. By reducing pollutants, the Plan aims to achieve good conditions for 75 percent of the water of the seven major rivers by 2030.