China shifts pollution fight to smaller water bodies

China has unveiled an action plan to tackle water pollution in rivers, ponds, and ditches, as authorities shift focus from major waterways to smaller water bodies that directly affect daily life.

Issued by six ministries, including the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the plan sets a 2030 target to essentially complete pollution inspections and remediation at provincial-level industrial parks, eliminate black and odorous water bodies in counties and townships, and curb the direct impact of livestock pollution on waters in key areas.

The plan targets water bodies 'on people's doorsteps', such as secondary and lower-level tributaries, ponds, ditches, and canals that are closely adjacent to residential areas and used for drinking, farming, fishing, or recreation.

The initiative comes as China's major rivers show significant improvement, a media release from the ministry's department of water ecology and environment said.

According to the release, 91.4 percent of surface water sections nationwide reached Grade I–III quality in 2025, up 8 percentage points from the beginning of the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25).

The mainstream of the Yangtze River has maintained Grade II quality for six consecutive years and the trunk of the Yellow River for four straight years, the release added.

It stressed, however, pollution in smaller tributaries and ponds has become increasingly prominent and harmful to nearby communities.

The action plan outlines five major campaigns targeting industrial park water pollution, black and odorous waters in counties and townships, livestock waste treatment, protection of rural rivers and reservoirs, and remediation of small water bodies like ponds and ditches.

Under the industrial park campaign, authorities will conduct comprehensive inspections and remediation focusing on infrastructure construction and maintenance, industrial wastewater collection and discharge controls, and water environment risk prevention.

Efforts will accelerate facility upgrades and standardize wastewater treatment procedures. Enhanced supervision will be imposed on industrial enterprises and parks near drinking water sources and farmland areas to prevent excessive discharges, illegal dumping, and hidden pipeline leaks that contaminate community-adjacent waters.