Measures for Water Conservation Management in Guangzhou City

Chapter 1 General Provisions

Article 1 To promote water conservation, enhance water resource utilization efficiency, foster a water-saving production and lifestyle, ensure water security, and facilitate high-quality economic and social development, these Measures are hereby formulated in accordance with the Water Law of the People's Republic of China, the Regulation on Water Conservation, the Measures for the Implementation of the Water Law of the People's Republic of China by Guangdong Province, the Measures for Water Conservation in Guangdong Province, and other relevant laws, regulations, and rules, taking into account the actual conditions of this city.

Article 2 These Measures apply to water conservation and its supervision and management activities within the administrative region of this city.

Water conservation, as mentioned in these Measures, refers to activities that reduce water resource consumption, minimize water resource losses, prevent water resource wastage, and utilize water resources reasonably and effectively by strengthening water use management, transforming water use patterns, and adopting technically feasible and economically reasonable measures.

Article 3 Water conservation work should thoroughly implement the water management approach of "prioritizing water conservation, balancing spatial distribution, implementing systematic governance, and leveraging both government and market forces." It should consider water resource endowment and carrying capacity as rigid constraints for economic and social development, plan cities, land use, population, and production based on water availability, optimize urban and rural spatial layout and industrial structure, strictly restrict the construction of high water-consuming projects, and enforce rigid constraints on water resources.

Water conservation work should follow the principles of unified planning, total volume control, rational allocation, efficient utilization, recycling and regeneration, and classified guidance, and establish a water conservation work mechanism featuring government leadership, departmental collaboration, industry management, market regulation, and public participation.

Article 4 The municipal and district water administrative departments are responsible for water conservation work within their respective administrative regions, formulating water conservation plans for their administrative regions, promoting the construction of water-saving societies, and, in conjunction with relevant departments, assessing the achievement of water conservation targets.

Administrative departments such as development and reform, finance, industry and information technology, housing and urban-rural construction, agriculture and rural affairs, forestry and gardening, urban management, culture, radio, film, and tourism, market supervision and administration, and education shall perform their respective duties related to water conservation.

Article 5 News media should conduct public awareness campaigns on water conservation and exercise public opinion supervision over actions that waste water resources.

Article 6 All units and individuals have the obligation to conserve water and the right to supervise and report water-wasting behaviors to relevant departments.

Chapter 2 Water Use Management

Article 7 Water use in this city implements a system combining total volume control and quota management. The municipal water administrative department shall, in conjunction with relevant departments, allocate water use total volume control indicators based on regional functional positioning and the requirements of sustainable industry development.

Article 8 The municipal water administrative department should organize the formulation of the city's water conservation plan based on the needs of economic and social development, water resource conditions, and water conservation work requirements, submit it to the municipal people's government for approval, and implement it after approval; district water administrative departments should formulate their respective district water conservation plans based on the city's water conservation plan, submit them to the district people's government for approval, implement them after approval, and report them to the municipal water administrative department for record.

The water conservation plan should include evaluations of water resource conditions, analyses of water conservation potential, water conservation targets, main tasks, and measures.

Article 9 Water administrative departments should strengthen coordination and cooperation with relevant planning approval departments, regional management agencies, and project management departments to jointly promote the implementation of water resource assessments for plans and construction projects, as well as regional assessments of water resource arguments.

Water administrative departments should strengthen supervision and management of water conservation evaluations and be responsible for water conservation evaluation reviews within their scope of responsibilities during the review and approval of relevant plans, the examination of construction project proposals, and water abstraction permitting.

Article 10The municipal water administrative department should establish a catalog of key monitored water-using units and implement key monitoring and dynamic management of the water measurement facilities and water use situations of the units included in the catalog.

Article 11 Water-using units and individuals should use water measurement instruments that have passed verification and strengthen inspection and routine maintenance to ensure measurement accuracy; for the same water-using unit or individual with two or more different water sources or two or more different types of water use, separate measurement should be conducted.

No unit or individual may encroach upon, damage, or unauthorizedly move water measurement facilities, or interfere with water measurement.

Water use is subject to metered charging. Tiered water pricing is implemented for urban residents' domestic water use and rural residents' domestic water use where conditions permit, while progressive pricing for excess quota (or plan) is applied to non-residential water use.

Article 12 Relevant departments of the municipal and district people's governments should establish a water conservation statistics and survey system in accordance with the law, and water-using units should cooperate in water conservation statistics work.

Article 13No unit or individual may produce, sell, or use in production and operation outdated and high water-consuming processes, equipment, and products that have been explicitly eliminated by the state. Users engaged in production and operation activities should cease using outdated and high water-consuming technologies, processes, equipment, and products announced by the state within a prescribed time limit.

Article 14Relevant social organizations and enterprises are encouraged to formulate water conservation group standards and enterprise standards that are stricter than national, industry, and local standards in accordance with the law.

Article 15These Measures implement planned water use management and progressive pricing for excess quota (or plan) for non-residential water-using units that use the public water supply network and have a water use scale that meets national and provincial regulations (hereinafter referred to as non-residential water-using units).

For units subject to water abstraction permitting management, their planned water use management shall follow relevant national and provincial management measures.

Article 16 Non-residential water-using units should strengthen planned water use management, establish and improve water conservation management systems, enhance information-based water use management, complete planned water use statistics as required, and promptly and accurately submit planned water use statistical reports.

Article 17 District water administrative departments shall issue monthly water use plans to non-residential water-using units every six months or once a year and send copies to water supply units. The water use plans should be determined based on the annual water use plans of the administrative region, water use quotas, and the water use records of the water-using units, following the principles of coordinated planning, comprehensive balance, and allowing for contingencies.

Non-residential water-using units should submit their suggestions for the next year's water use plan to the district water administrative department by December 31st of each year; failure to submit water use plan suggestions as required shall not affect the issuance of the water use plan.

Article 18 If a non-residential water-using unit needs to adjust its water use plan, it should submit an application to the district water administrative department in advance.

The district water administrative department shall decide whether to adjust the water use plan based on the non-residential water-using unit's water use plan adjustment proposal, water use project situation, water use facility conditions, valid water balance test report, and other water use situations stipulated by laws, regulations, and rules.

The district water administrative department should make a decision within 10 days of accepting the application for water use plan adjustment; if the adjustment is not approved, the reasons should be explained in writing.

Article 19 The verification of water use plan implementation is conducted on a quarterly basis, comparing the metered and billed water use of non-residential water-using units during the verification period with the water use plan to obtain the verification results for the current period.

Article 20Based on the verification results of water use plan implementation, if water use exceeds the plan, an additional charge shall be applied to the excess portion according to the progressive pricing standards for excess quota (or plan) for non-residential water use established by the municipal people's government.

Article 21 The district water administrative department is responsible for collecting progressive surcharge fees for excess quota (or excess plan) water use, and may also entrust water supply units with the collection and payment on its behalf. The entire surcharge revenue shall be deposited into a fiscal special account, managed with separate revenue and expenditure streams, and specifically used for water-saving management, water-saving research, and the construction of water metering facilities by the local government.

Article 22 When water use exceeds the planned amount, the district water administrative department shall issue an excess water use notice to non-residential water users. If non-residential water users have objections to the excess water use volume, they may apply for a water volume review to the district water administrative department within 30 days from the date of receiving the excess water use notice. The district water administrative department shall provide a written reply within 20 days from the date of receiving the application. If no review application is submitted within the time limit, or if payment is still required after the review, the district water administrative department shall issue an excess water use payment notice to the non-residential water users.

Non-residential water users shall pay the fees in full and on time after receiving the excess water use payment notice. If they fail to do so, the district water administrative department shall handle the matter in accordance with the law.

Article 23 For excess water use due to force majeure or emergencies, the district water administrative department shall review the excess water use volume in accordance with the following requirements:

(1) If the registered water meter readings recorded by the water supply unit are incorrect, the excess water use volume shall be reviewed based on the corrected readings provided by the water supply unit; if the water supply unit delays the meter reading time, the review shall be based on the explanation of the meter reading and billing time provided by the water supply unit. If the registered water meter fails the inspection or cannot be inspected due to malfunction or other reasons, the water use volume shall be verified based on the actual situation.

(2) For excess water use caused by water pipe bursts, fire drills, fire water testing and renovation, municipal construction, or other reasons not attributable to the water user, the review shall be based on the actual situation.

(3) For excess water use due to military, fire fighting, confidentiality, or other reasons, the water use volume shall not be included in the verification scope.

If a non-residential water user provides false information for the review of excess water use volume, the district water administrative department shall re-verify the excess water use volume.

Article 24 In the event of a sudden water pollution incident affecting normal water supply due to severe drought, saltwater intrusion, infectious diseases, water source pollution, or other reasons, the district water administrative department shall formulate an emergency water use plan. With the approval of the district people's government, the planned water use volume of non-residential water users may be reduced, and both the water supply unit and non-residential water users shall cooperate. After the impact is resolved, the original water use situation shall be restored.

Article 25 Water supply units shall cooperate with the district water administrative department in managing planned water use and comply with the following provisions:

(1) Provide the district water administrative department with monthly data on actual water use volume, abnormal meter reading information, and information changes of non-residential water users, as well as quarterly information on newly registered water users with large annual water use volume. Concealment, delay, or omission of reporting is not allowed.

(2) Regularly read the registered water meters of non-residential water users on a monthly basis and gradually promote smart remote meter reading.

(3) Submit a list of users with excess water use to the district water administrative department on a monthly basis and assist in issuing excess water use notices.

(4) Establish a mechanism for submitting proof materials for the review of excess water use volume. For cases where temporary water fees are collected due to inability to read the meter, where there are errors or delays in reading the registered water meter, or where the registered water meter fails the inspection or is damaged and cannot be inspected, relevant proof materials shall be provided as required by the district water administrative department.

Article 26 The water administrative department shall establish and improve a data management system for non-residential water users.

Article 27 Non-residential water users in this city shall regularly conduct water balance tests in accordance with the requirements of laws, regulations, and rules, and improve their water use methods or production technologies, processes, equipment, and products based on the test results. The water balance test report and results shall be submitted to the district water administrative department for record keeping.

Water users may conduct tests independently or entrust testing institutions with corresponding technical capabilities to carry out the water balance tests. The testing equipment used shall be legally verified or calibrated as qualified.

Article 28 Water users may inform the district water administrative department of the water balance test plan, the rationality of the selected test period, and other matters five working days before conducting the test. The district water administrative department may organize on-site spot checks based on the situation.

Article 29 If the water balance test report has issues such as irregular format, incomplete content, imperfect drawings, or incorrect data analysis, the district water administrative department shall provide guidance for correction. If the water balance test report involves falsification, improper selection of the test period, incorrect division of water use units, omission of water use unit tests, or incorrect data collection, the district water administrative department shall guide the water user to conduct the test in a standardized manner.

Article 30 For newly constructed, renovated, or expanded construction projects, the construction unit shall formulate a water-saving measures plan based on the construction content and build supporting water-saving facilities. The water-saving facilities shall be designed, constructed, and put into use simultaneously with the main project. The investment in water-saving facilities construction shall be included in the total investment of the construction project.

Article 31 During the joint review and decision-making stage of government-invested projects, the water administrative department shall review the content related to water conservation and include the conclusion in the review opinion. During the preliminary design stage, it shall review the implementation of the content related to water conservation and state it in the approval document. During the "land use checklist" stage of social investment projects, it shall review the content related to water conservation in the planning conditions of the land parcel and issue an opinion.

The administrative departments of housing and urban-rural development, transportation, port affairs, forestry and gardening, etc., shall, in accordance with their respective responsibilities, urge construction units, design units, construction units, and other project construction responsible entities to implement the "three simultaneous" system for water-saving facilities in construction projects.

Article 32 The agency reviewing the construction drawing design documents shall review the content of water-saving facilities in the construction drawing design documents of housing construction projects and municipal infrastructure projects that relate to public interests, public safety, and mandatory standards for engineering construction in accordance with relevant national, provincial, and municipal regulations and technical standards.

Article 33 Construction drawing design documents that involve water-saving facilities content that has not been reviewed and approved shall not be used.

Article 34 After receiving the construction project completion report related to water-saving facilities content, the construction unit shall organize the design, construction, engineering supervision, and other relevant units to conduct a completion acceptance inspection.

Article 35 The water administrative department shall strengthen the supervision of the "three simultaneous" implementation of water-saving facilities in construction projects during and after the process.

Chapter3: Water-saving Measures

Article 36The municipal and district agricultural and rural administrative departments shall, in accordance with relevant plans and requirements of Guangdong Province, and in combination with the status of water resource development and utilization as well as the level of economic and social development, guide agricultural production and operation entities to reasonably adjust the agricultural production layout, planting and breeding structure, and the water use structure of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery, and actively develop water-saving agriculture.

Article 37 The municipal and district agricultural and rural administrative departments shall support the research and promotion of water-saving technologies in planting and breeding industries, such as soil moisture conservation, integrated water and fertilizer management, and the utilization of livestock and poultry wastewater resources.

The municipal and district agricultural and rural administrative departments shall organize water-saving agriculture pilot demonstrations and technical training, and guide agricultural production and operation entities to use water-saving technologies.

Article 38 The relevant departments of the municipal and district people's governments shall increase investment in agricultural water conservation, accelerate the renovation of irrigation and drainage projects, and develop water-saving irrigation technologies such as pipeline water conveyance irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, micro-irrigation, as well as canal lining for water conveyance irrigation and rainwater harvesting and supplementary irrigation based on local conditions.

Newly constructed irrigation engineering facilities shall comply with the technical standards for water-saving irrigation engineering. Existing irrigation engineering facilities that do not comply with the technical standards for water-saving irrigation engineering shall be retrofitted for water conservation within a specified time limit.

Article 39 The relevant departments of the municipal and district people's governments shall strengthen the construction of agricultural irrigation water measurement facilities and improve the measurement rate of agricultural irrigation water use.

For agricultural irrigation water use where measurement conditions are temporarily not available, indirect measurement methods such as converting electricity consumption to water use can be adopted.

Article 40Municipal and district water administrative departments shall strengthen the construction and renovation of rural domestic water supply facilities and supporting pipeline networks, and promote the use of water-saving appliances in daily life.

Article 41 Industrial enterprises shall strengthen internal water management, establish water-saving management systems, adopt advanced and applicable water-saving technologies, processes, and equipment such as water supply by quality, high-efficiency cooling and washing, water recycling, and wastewater treatment and reuse, reduce water consumption per unit of product (output value), and improve the reuse rate of water resources. Industrial enterprises with high water consumption that exceed water use quotas shall carry out water-saving renovations within a prescribed time limit.

Cooling water for production equipment, air conditioning cooling water, and boiler condensate in industrial enterprises should be recycled. High water-consuming industrial enterprises should gradually promote the application of advanced wastewater deep treatment and reuse technologies.

Article 42 Newly built, renovated, or expanded industrial agglomeration areas such as various types of development zones and parks (hereinafter collectively referred to as industrial agglomeration areas) should coordinate the construction of water supply, drainage, wastewater treatment, and recycling facilities, promote the use of water in series and by quality among enterprises, and achieve multiple uses and recycling of water.

Encourage existing industrial agglomeration areas to carry out green, high-quality transformation and upgrading and circular transformation with a focus on water conservation, and accelerate the construction of water-saving and water recycling facilities.

Article 43 Production enterprises that use water as a raw material to produce purified water, mineral water, beverages, and other products shall adopt water-saving production processes, technologies, and equipment, reduce water loss during production, and recycle tail water. The utilization rate of raw water should meet national or provincial standards.

Article 44Water supply units shall regularly inspect their pipeline networks for leaks, promptly repair any leaks or malfunctions discovered, and ensure that the pipeline leakage rate meets national standards.

Water supply units should promote the implementation of zoning measurement projects for water supply pipelines, carry out one-household-one-meter transformations, improve the water use measurement system, and gradually achieve grid-based and refined management of water supply pipelines.

Water loss exceeding the national standard for pipeline network facility leakage control shall not be included in the pricing cost of water supply units.

Water administrative departments shall strengthen supervision and management of the operation and leakage control of public water supply pipeline facilities, and support and promote the renovation of old water supply pipeline facilities.

Article 45Water-using units in the service industry, such as catering, hotels, and water entertainment, shall adopt water-saving technologies, equipment, and facilities.

Special industries such as swimming, bathing, car washing, and laundry should adopt water-saving technologies, equipment, and facilities such as low water consumption and circular purified water use.

Article 46 Public institutions such as government agencies and newly built residential communities in urban and rural areas shall adopt water-saving processes and use water-saving equipment and appliances, ensuring their normal operation. Those that have not installed water-saving equipment and appliances should gradually replace them.

Encourage urban and rural residents to use water-saving equipment and appliances.

Article 47 Public institutions should set an example in water conservation, establish and improve water-saving management systems, take the lead in adopting advanced water-saving technologies, processes, equipment, and products, carry out water-saving renovations, and actively strive to become water-saving units.

Article 48 Encourage residential water users to voluntarily comply with the following provisions:

(1) Understand water conditions and prices, enhance water-saving awareness, and cultivate a water-saving lifestyle;

(2) Choose water-saving appliances for daily use and ensure their proper operation, and do not purchase outdated or high water-consuming equipment and products that are explicitly prohibited by the state;

(3) Actively cooperate with water-saving renovations;

(4) Promptly repair any leaks or drips discovered.

Article 49 Products listed in the "Catalog of Products Implementing Water Efficiency Labeling in the People's Republic of China" shall be labeled with a water efficiency label in a prominent position on the product or its minimum packaging, and explained in the product instruction manual. For online transactions, sellers shall display the corresponding water efficiency label in a prominent position on the main product information page.

Article 50 Encourage quality certification for water-saving products, and certified water-saving products may use the certification mark in accordance with regulations.

Article 51 Relevant departments of municipal and district people's governments shall promote the development and utilization of unconventional water sources such as reclaimed water, rainwater, and seawater, and incorporate unconventional water sources into the unified allocation of water resources.

For non-residential water users with conditions for reclaimed water use, water administrative departments shall include reclaimed water usage in their water use plans.

Article 52 Municipal and district water administrative departments shall, in conjunction with administrative departments such as development and reform, planning and natural resources, industry and information technology, forestry and landscaping, housing and urban-rural construction, ecology and environment, urban management, education, and finance, fully consider differences in water resource endowments and utilization conditions, and organize the compilation of plans for the utilization of unconventional water sources or include a chapter on the utilization of unconventional water sources in water resource plans. The content should include the utilization of reclaimed water, rainwater, and seawater.

The utilization of reclaimed water should follow the principles of adapting to local conditions, prioritizing centralized use supplemented by decentralized use, emphasizing both construction and management, and coordinating with road construction to ensure the systematic nature of pipeline network construction. The content should include:

(1) Overall goals, main tasks, and safeguard measures for reclaimed water utilization;

(2) Division of labor among various departments;

(3) Responsible entities, funding sources, and other key tasks;

(4) A list of reclaimed water supply units;

(5) A list of water-using units that are equipped to use reclaimed water.

Article 53 Encourage individuals and units to construct reclaimed water utilization facilities through sole investment, joint ventures, or cooperation, and strengthen daily operation management and maintenance to ensure that the water supply quality meets national and provincial standards.

Reclaimed water utilization facilities should be reasonably layout around sewage treatment plants (water purification plants, reclaimed water plants).

Newly built, renovated, or expanded sewage treatment plants (water purification plants, reclaimed water plants) should, if conditions permit, be equipped with reclaimed water utilization systems.

Article 54 Relevant departments of municipal and district people's governments shall promote the construction of sponge cities and improve the level of rainwater resource utilization.

When carrying out urban new area construction, old city renovation, and municipal infrastructure construction, rainwater retention, infiltration, purification, utilization, and storage facilities should be planned and constructed according to local conditions in accordance with sponge city construction requirements.

Encourage existing engineering projects to retrofit with rainwater harvesting and utilization facilities. Encourage individuals and units in rural areas to construct rainwater harvesting and utilization facilities according to local conditions.

Article 55 The reclaimed water supply system should be independent from the drinking water pipeline system and self-provided water source supply system, and easily distinguishable identifications should be established to ensure water use safety.

Reclaimed water supply units shall ensure that the water supply quality and pressure meet national and industry standards and shall not arbitrarily interrupt or stop the water supply.

Article 56 The following water use situations should prioritize the use of reclaimed water that meets the standard requirements:

(1) Water for landscaping, environmental sanitation, construction, and ecological landscapes;

(2) Cooling water, washing water, process water, and other industrial production water for newly built, renovated, or expanded projects such as thermal power, petrochemical, steel, papermaking, printing and dyeing, waste incineration, and industrial agglomeration areas;

(3) Water for greening, landscapes, and other uses in public areas, residential communities, and within units;

(4) Other municipal miscellaneous water uses such as dust suppression, road sweeping, and vehicle washing.

Article 57 A paid use system shall be implemented for reclaimed water.

The price of reclaimed water shall be negotiated autonomously between the reclaimed water supply unit and the user based on the principle of high quality and high price.

The reclaimed water fee shall be directly collected by the reclaimed water supply unit from the reclaimed water user based on actual water consumption.

Article 58For water-withdrawing units that fall under the provisions of Article 56(2), if they are equipped to use reclaimed water but have not fully utilized it, the relevant approval department shall not approve new water withdrawal permits.

For water-withdrawing units that should use reclaimed water according to the provisions of Article 56 but have not used it, or whose use of reclaimed water has not met the requirements, their planned conventional water source use indicators for the following year shall be reduced.

Chapter4:Safeguards and Incentives

Article 59Municipal and district water administrative departments shall, in conjunction with relevant departments, strengthen the information technology construction for water conservation, and improve the technical level of water-saving information collection, transmission, processing, and utilization.

Encourage high water-consuming enterprises, universities, public buildings, and other major water users to establish water-saving information management systems.

Article 60:Relevant departments of the municipal and district people's governments shall guide the development and technological innovation of water-saving industries such as the research and manufacturing of water-saving products and equipment, water-saving service trade, water-saving engineering construction and operation, and smart water-saving, and support the high-standard construction of water-saving industrial parks to create a hub for the water-saving industry.

Higher education institutions, research institutes, enterprises and institutions, social organizations, and individuals are encouraged and supported to conduct research, development, and promotion of advanced and applicable water-saving technologies, processes, equipment, and products.

Article 61 Relevant departments of the municipal and district people's governments shall stimulate market vitality in contract water management, strengthen technical support for contract water management, enhance the capabilities of water-saving service enterprises, and guide and promote the implementation of contract water management models and water-saving renovations in public institutions, public buildings, agriculture, industry, services, landscaping, and other fields.

Article 62Relevant departments of the municipal and district people's governments shall cultivate, support, and develop water-saving social organizations and guide the public to widely participate in water-saving activities.

Water-saving social organizations are encouraged and supported to carry out water-saving activities in accordance with the law, and water industry associations are encouraged to play their roles in service, guidance, and supervision, promoting the sustained and healthy development of the water-saving industry in the city.

Article 63 Relevant departments of the municipal and district people's governments shall coordinate financial funds, government fixed asset investments, and other relevant funds to support the construction of a water-saving society, research on water-saving technologies, the promotion of agricultural water-saving technologies, water-saving technological transformations in industry and services, control of public water supply pipeline leakage, and the utilization of unconventional water sources.

Article 64 Government and social capital cooperation projects are encouraged and supported, and financial services such as "water-saving loans" are promoted to encourage and guide financial and social capital to actively invest in the entire process and full industry chain of water conservation.

Article 65 Water administrative supervisors have the right to take the following measures when performing water-saving supervision and inspection duties:

(1) Enter the site to conduct inspections and investigate and understand relevant situations;

(2) Require the inspected unit or individual to explain issues related to water conservation;

(3) Require the inspected unit or individual to provide relevant documents, licenses, and materials for review;

(4) Order the inspected unit or individual to cease illegal activities and fulfill legal obligations;

(5) Other measures stipulated by laws and administrative regulations.

Supervisors performing water-saving supervision and inspection duties shall proactively present administrative law enforcement credentials. The inspected unit or individual shall cooperate, truthfully provide relevant materials and information, and must not refuse, delay, or falsify information, or obstruct supervisors from performing their duties in accordance with the law.

Article 66 Guangzhou implements a water-saving assessment and evaluation system, incorporating the completion of water-saving targets into the assessment scope of district people's governments and their responsible personnel.

Article 67 Units or individuals that have made outstanding contributions and achieved remarkable results in water conservation work in the city may be rewarded.

Article 68 The water-saving reward fund comes from the budget of the municipal water administrative department.

Article 69The "Water-Saving Advanced Unit Award" is granted to units that:

Due to effective water-saving measures, have achieved significant water-saving benefits, met the relevant standards for water-saving enterprises, units (except government agencies and public institutions), and residential communities, obtained municipal or higher-level water-saving entity titles, and whose water use indicators reach or exceed the advanced values of water use quotas.

The "Water-Saving Advanced Individual Award" is granted to individuals who:

(1) Have made outstanding contributions to researching and promoting water-saving technologies, processes, equipment, and appliances;

(2) Have performed outstandingly in water-saving publicity and management work;

(3) Have made outstanding contributions in promoting the creation of water-saving entities;

(4) Have made significant achievements in the utilization of unconventional water sources such as reclaimed water, rainwater, and seawater.

Article 70The reward standards are as follows:

(1) Water-Saving Advanced Unit Award:

Municipal water-saving entities with water use indicators reaching the advanced values of water use quotas in the previous year will be rewarded at 20,000 yuan per entity.

Provincial water-saving entities with water use indicators reaching the advanced values of water use quotas in the previous year will be rewarded at 30,000 yuan per entity.

Provincial water-saving entities with water use indicators reaching the leading values of water use quotas in the previous year will be rewarded at 40,000 yuan per entity.

National water-saving entities will be rewarded at 50,000 yuan per entity.

For the above units that have implemented advanced water-saving projects in unconventional water source utilization and have been in use for more than six months, an additional 10,000 yuan reward will be given.

(2) Water-Saving Advanced Individual Award: 2,000 yuan per person;

(3) The above rewards are enjoyed once based on the principle of "choosing the higher reward," and the difference will be made up for those who have already been rewarded.

Article 71 Units or individuals that meet the conditions stipulated in these measures may apply to the municipal water administrative department for rewards.

To apply for the Water-Saving Advanced Unit Award, an application form, a copy of the water bill for the previous year, supporting materials for unconventional water source utilization, etc., must be provided.

To apply for the Water-Saving Advanced Individual Award, an application form and materials satisfying any of the award conditions in Article 69 must be provided.

Units or individuals that falsify information to obtain water-saving rewards will be prohibited from applying for water-saving rewards for five years.

Article 72 The municipal water administrative department shall organize and carry out water-saving reward work in accordance with the law.

Chapter5:Legal Liabilities

Article 73 Those who encroach upon, damage, or unauthorizedly move water measurement facilities, or interfere with water measurement, shall be punished in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Water Conservation Regulations.

Article 74 For construction projects whose water-saving facilities have not been completed or do not meet the requirements stipulated by the state and are put into use without authorization, as well as those who produce, sell, or use in production and operation outdated and high water-consuming technologies, processes, equipment, and products that are explicitly eliminated by the state, shall be punished in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Water Law of the People's Republic of China.

Article 75 High water-consuming industrial enterprises whose water use levels exceed water use quotas and fail to conduct water-saving renovations within the prescribed time limit shall be punished in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Water Conservation Regulations.

Article 76Industrial enterprises that fail to reuse cooling water for production equipment, air conditioning, and boiler condensate shall be punished in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Water Conservation Regulations.

Article 77Water-using units that fail to conduct water balance tests in accordance with regulations shall be ordered by the water administrative department to make corrections within a time limit; if they fail to make corrections within the time limit, they shall be punished in accordance with the relevant provisions of the state and province.

Article 78 Relevant administrative departments and their staff who violate the provisions of these measures and fail to perform their duties in accordance with the law shall be dealt with in accordance with the relevant provisions of the state and province.

Chapter6:Supplementary Provisions

Article 79 The meanings of the following terms in these measures are:

(1) Water balance test refers to the process of systematically measuring, statistically analyzing, and calculating the water volume of a water-using unit or system, analyzing and identifying problems based on the principle of water balance, and proposing continuous improvement suggestions.

(2) Water efficiency labeling refers to a conformity mark that indicates the water efficiency level and other performance characteristics of water-using products through enterprise self-declaration and information filing.

(3) Water-saving product certification refers to a conformity assessment activity where a certification body certifies that a product meets the standards or technical specifications and demonstrates water-saving attributes.

(4) Water-saving facilities refer to domestic water appliances, industrial process water reuse systems, various water equipment recycling systems, reclaimed water reuse systems, rainwater harvesting and utilization systems, tap water metering devices, and piping.

(5) Reclaimed water refers to water that has undergone appropriate treatment processes from urban sewage, meets certain water quality requirements, satisfies specific use functional requirements, and can be beneficially used.

Article 80 These measures shall come into effect on the date of their promulgation and shall be valid for five years. The "Measures on Incentives for Water Conservation in Guangzhou" (Shui Gui Zi [2022] No. 5) and the "Guangzhou Measures for the "Three Simultaneous" Management of Water-Saving Facilities in Construction Projects" (Shui Gui Zi [2022] No. 6) shall be abolished simultaneously.