China's Ministry of Water Resources has granted status as National Water Ecological Civilization models to Zhuhai, Guangzhou, Dongguan, and Huizhou.

The cities are said to exemplify harmony between humans and water in Guangdong Province. Zhuhai's piloting success, which reached or surpassed targets, was assessed by ministry experts last August and then approved by the province in December.

Recently, Zhuhai's progressive steps to exploit, utilize, govern, allocate, conserve, and protect water passed examination. City plans for infrastructure, management, and further conservation were also accepted.

The recognition acknowledges what Zhuhai has done since being designated as a pilot city in 2014 by the Ministry of Water Resources. For instance, the city government has spent 6.9 billion yuan ($1 billion) on 55 key projects including nine worthy of demonstration. Among them are Xiangzhou Beautiful Bays construction and Phase 1 of the Qianshan Water Purification Plant.

Reservoir near Jintai Temple in Doumen [Photo courtesy Nanfangplus]

Overall, a highly efficient mechanism for the civilized treatment of water was established under a three-year action plan. The plan calls for local management, government guidance, market operation, and considerable public participation.