Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has signed a State Council decree unveiling a regulation on the management of groundwater. The new regulation, which will take effect on Dec 1, sets out specific rules for groundwater in the areas of survey and planning, conservation and protection, over-exploitation treatment, pollution control, and supervision and management.

国务院总理李克强日前签署国务院令，公布《地下水管理条例》，自2021年12月1日起施行。《条例》从调查与规划、节约与保护、超采治理、污染防治、监督管理等方面作出规定。

To enhance groundwater conservation and protection, the total amount of groundwater extracted as well as groundwater levels will be placed under control.

《条例》规定，为加强地下水节约和保护，实行地下水取水总量控制和水位控制制度。

Except under special circumstances, groundwater that is not replenished easily should not be exploited.

除特殊情形外，禁止开采难以更新的地下水。

It said work should be done to strengthen the control of activities polluting groundwater and the rules that prevent groundwater pollution caused by soil pollution, production and construction activities should be refined.

强化对污染地下水行为的管控，细化防止生产建设活动污染地下水的制度。细化防止土壤污染导致地下水污染的制度。