Have you ever wondered how big cities get enough water for everyone to drink, wash, and have fun? In China, there’s a huge project called the South-to-North Water Diversion Project that’s helping cities get more water! Let’s find out how this amazing project is changing lives.
What’s the Big Idea? 💡
China’s South-to-North Water Diversion Project moves water from rivers in the south to drier areas in the north. Imagine sharing your water bottle with a thirsty friend—that’s what this project does but on a giant scale!
A City Transformed: Jiaozuo 🏙️
The city of Jiaozuo in central China used to have water shortages. Since the project started in 2014, Jiaozuo has received over 430 million cubic meters of water! That’s like filling up millions of swimming pools!
This new water helped the city change from using a lot of coal (which can pollute the air) to being more eco-friendly. They even created a 10-kilometer green corridor—a big park along the canal—where people can walk, play, and enjoy nature. 🌳
Helping Nature Thrive 🌱
Over 60 million cubic meters of water have been used to help the environment. Rivers that were dry are now flowing again, helping plants and animals live happily.
Big Numbers, Big Impact 📊
In ten years, the project has moved 76.7 billion cubic meters of water! That’s enough to fill millions of Olympic-sized swimming pools. More than 185 million people in 45 big cities have benefited. Cities now have reliable water for homes and factories.
Three Big Routes 🗺️
The project has three main routes:
- Central Route: Starts at the Danjiangkou Reservoir and brings water to Beijing and Tianjin.
- Eastern Route: Moves water from Jiangsu Province to places like Tianjin and Shandong.
- Western Route: Plans are underway to start this route too!
Technology Makes It Better 💻
Using cool technology like digital twin systems, engineers can control the water flow from computers! At the Baoying Pumping Station, they reduced the number of workers needed and saved energy. This means less pollution and smarter use of resources.
A River Flows Again 🌊
In Beijing, the Chaobai River was dry for over 20 years. Thanks to the water project, water started flowing again in 2021! Fish can swim, plants can grow, and people can enjoy the riverbanks once more.
Looking to the Future 🚀
Experts say it’s important to keep using science and technology to make water projects even better. By working together, they hope to solve problems like water shortages and protect the environment.
So next time you drink a glass of water, think about how amazing projects like this help people and nature thrive! 💧❤️
Reference(s):
South-to-North Water Diversion Project boosts water supply and ecology
cgtn.com
