STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (SEA) OF WASTEWATER REUSE POLICY: A CASE STUDY FROM TIANJIN IN CHINA

Abstract

China is one of the thirteen countries in the world that lacks water. Rapid economic growth and urbanisation over the past two decades have exerted enormous pressure on China's water resources. The shortage of water resources and serious water pollution have become important factors restraining the sustainable development in the cities. Wastewater reuse has been proven to prevent water pollution and ameliorate the pressure on the water environment. Moreover, wastewater reuse can make up for the lack of funds in wastewater treatment. So, wastewater reuse is a viable choice to realise the sustainable utilisation of water resource in China. There still remain many uncertainties in wastewater reuse. It is strongly recommended that a wastewater reuse policy be pushed forward considering the necessity and the implications to society, the economy and the environment. Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is seen as an important tool for integrating the environmental factors into decision-making. This paper illustrates a case study for SEA — aimed at Tianjin Wastewater Reuse Policy (TWRP). The process of SEA at the policy level and the related problems are presented within this case study. It provides a good framework for carrying out SEA of waste reuse at the national level. The study will support the Chinese Government in developing a national strategy on urban wastewater reuse through an investigation of the existing situations, evaluation of policy options in different areas, and offering recommendations.