An Integrated Act for Groundwater Protection of Jinan City, China

Groundwater is a valuable natural resource providing a primary source of water for agriculture, domestic and industrial purposes. To Jinan, it is more significant because of the famous springs. But springs have drained off for several years because of groundwater over-extraction. Surface water and groundwater is an integrated system and the environment is a whole. Integrated management is essential. So this paper gives an integrated act for groundwater protection. Considering the surface water, groundwater, water quantity and quality, ecology, socio-economics of Jinan, especially the connection between surface water and groundwater, this integrated act consists of increasing groundwater recharge, restricting groundwater exploitation, jointly regulating and integrated management. These projects aims to balance groundwater exploitation and recharge, guarantee the springs against draining off, achieve a good ecological status. The environment as a whole will be improved. Different water users will benefit and the economy will be prosperous. So this act will promote the sustainable development.