China primarily gets its fresh water from its extensive river systems and underground sources.
Sources of Fresh Water in China
According to available data, China's fresh water resources are derived from both surface water (rivers) and groundwater. These are the two main ways the country obtains the fresh water needed for various uses.
- River Run-off: A significant portion comes from the mean annual run-off in its rivers.
- Groundwater: Another substantial source is the recharge of groundwater reserves.
Resource Quantities
Based on information regarding China's water resources:
- The mean annual run-off in its rivers is approximately 2500 cubic kilometers.
- Groundwater recharge contributes about 828.8 cubic kilometers.
It's important to note that while these two sources sum up to a larger theoretical amount, the total available resource is less than the simple sum (2500 + 828.8 = 3328.8 cubic kilometers). This is because pumping groundwater can draw water from nearby rivers, meaning the sources are interconnected and not entirely independent.
The total available fresh water resource, accounting for this interaction, is reported to be 2,821.4 cubic kilometers.
In summary, China relies heavily on its rivers and groundwater reserves to meet its fresh water demands.
