Unconventional water development and utilization planning regulations promulgated.

Recently, the national standard "Regulations for the Formulation of Plans for the Development and Utilization of Unconventional Water Resources", which was compiled under the leadership of the National Office of Water Conservation, has been officially released after approval by the State Administration for Market Regulation and the National Standardization Management Committee. This standard will be implemented starting from November 1, 2026. The implementation of the "Regulations for the Formulation of Plans for the Development and Utilization of Unconventional Water Resources" will effectively guide scientific formulation of plans for the development and utilization of unconventional water resources in various regions, releasing multiple values such as meeting the increased demand for water in water-scarce areas, improving the ecological environment of rivers and lakes, reducing industrial water costs, and decreasing carbon emissions from water supply systems. It will promote the transition of unconventional water from a "supplementary water source" to a "strategic secondary water source", facilitate the unified allocation of surface water, groundwater, and unconventional water, and provide technical support for alleviating the contradictions between water supply and demand, improving the quality of water ecological environment, and safeguarding national water security.