Compared with Europe and North America, China has surged ahead in
water industry development in recent years, said International
Water Association president Michael J. Rouse in a recent
Guangming Daily interview. At its current rate of
development, China's water industry would certainly soon become one
of the world's largest, he predicted.
The IWA's sixth biennial meeting will be held in Beijing in
2006, announced Rouse, who traveled to China to check personally on
preparations for the event.
Rouse has dedicated his life to water. Currently an independent
consultant on drinking water quality regulation, he served as chief
inspector of the UK's Drinking Water Inspectorate from 1993 to 2003
and played an important role in British policy-making, quality
supervision and management of water. Rouse previously worked for
Britain's Water Research Center, including nine years as managing
director. He became president of the IWA in April 2003.
Rouse pointed out that water shortages are a serious problem
around the globe and one that even many developed countries must
address. China has a large population and a dearth of water, he
noted. Its main problems are a general lack of awareness of the
need to protect water resources, and the water industry
monopoly.
Systemic and historical factors, such as contradictory policies
resulting from conflicting departmental interests, have had a
strong adverse impact on the efficiency of China's water
management.
In his opinion, China must first break up the monopoly and
establish a unified, consistent plan. Second, it must improve
related organizations and mechanisms and consolidate authority.
China should establish a top-down water supervision system, said
Rouse.
Water recycling can reduce costs while benefiting the
environment and contributing to sustainable development, Rouse
stated. The government should encourage it.
Water industry reform needs participation and support from the
public as well as from government and industry, he said.
China's economic growth in the past years has created an
enormous water market. Rouse pointed out that the development of
the country's water industry is shadowing its overall economic
development.
A wide range of industrial chains stand to benefit from this
growth, from water safety and quality to pipe and faucet
manufacturing. By 2020, Rouse forecasts, the Chinese water market
will be valued at US$1 trillion.
(China.org.cn by Li Jingrong, February 26, 2004)
