Groundwater resources protection and aquifer recovery in China

The groundwater resources in China and especially the northern part represent a vital water resource. Both the shallow and deep aquifers are highly overexploited in a large area of north China. The heavy overexploitation of groundwater resources is causing major environmental damage. To protect groundwater resources, several technical feasibility studies were performed. Artificial recharge using floodwater and wastewater was tried. Surface spreading systems are applicable in many areas of the Yellow River basin and Hai River basin. Deep aquifer injections were undertaken in the urban area. A far better strategy is to reduce the extraction of groundwater, especially to stop or slow down land subsidence and seawater intrusion. To address the problem of falling groundwater levels and aquifer recovery, there is a need to reduce groundwater extraction and artificial recharge.