Jinan sets 2024 goals for water-related projects

Jinan will commence construction on 55 new spring water direct-drinking locations in 2024, which will extend coverage to an additional 300,000 people, according to a news conference on March 20.

Specifically, there will be 25 sites in new residential areas, 20 in existing residential areas, five in commercial areas, and five in public facilities.

According to Jinan's spring water direct-drinking project plan (2021-25), by the end of 2025, the municipal spring water direct-drinking initiative will benefit 350,000 households, totaling 1 million people.

In 2023, Jinan started construction on 60 new spring water direct-drinking projects, in addition to the 58 that were already being constructed, with a cumulative coverage of approximately 380,000 people.

In recent years, Jinan has established a comprehensive water law system, with 391 units and 502 self-supplied wells sealed in the urban area, reducing groundwater extraction by over 20 million cubic meters annually.

In 2023, water consumption for regions with a GDP figure reaching 10,000 yuan ($1,389.21) was 14.07 cubic meters, a 17.6-percent reduction from 2020, and water consumption for 10,000 yuan of industrial added value was 9.82 cubic meters, a decrease of 10.1 percent from 2020, making the city a leader in water conservation and resource management efforts in Shandong province.

Furthermore, Jinan will accelerate the construction of recycled water projects, expanding the use of recycled water for purposes like river and lake ecological replenishment and industrial use. By 2025, the city aims to achieve a 50-percent recycled water utilization rate.