Promoting water security of South-to-North Water Diversion Project for National Water Network

Abstract The South-to-North Water Diversion Project is a crucial infrastructure initiative aiming at optimizing nation-wide distribution of water resources, meanwhile fostering sustainable economic and social development, and ensuring the well-being of the people. The project, with its extensive scope and high technical complexity, particularly in the middle and west routes located in biodiversity hotspots such as the Qinling Mountains and the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, may alter local microclimates, potentially triggering meteorological disasters such as droughts, thunderstorms, and hail, along with secondary hazards. The implementation of the project may also disrupt the local hydrological conditions, disturb the balance of the existing atmospheric-vegetation-soil system, and significantly impact biodiversity as well as the structure, function, and processes of ecosystems. Additionally, effective control of pollution in the water source areas and conveyance channels is crucial for the project’s success. Therefore, it is recommended to undertake technological innovations in ecological environmental evolution and mitigation of adverse effects, regional climate change and water resource allocation in water source areas, protection and pollution control of water ecological environments in water source areas, geological hazard risk assessment and prevention in project areas, research and development, and integration of technologies for ensuring water quality in conveyance channels, optimization and regulation of water ecological environments in receiving areas. These innovations aim to: (1) overcome technological bottlenecks in water resources, water environments, and water ecology; (2) establish an integrated water security system for water source areas, conveyance channels, and receiving areas; and (3) provide systematic solutions on the water safety for the South-to-North Water Diversion Project. Ultimately, such efforts will build a strong backbone for the national water network and promote the construction of the national water network with high quality.