Hubei introduces policies to strengthen the construction, operation, management and maintenance of rural water supply projects

China News Service, Wuhan, November 9 (Reporter Liang Ting) The reporter learned from the Hubei Provincial Department of Water Resources on the 9th that the department, in conjunction with the Hubei Provincial Development and Reform Commission, the Hubei Provincial Department of Finance, the Hubei Provincial Department of Ecology and Environment and other units, has introduced a series of measures around key tasks in the construction, operation, management and maintenance of rural water supply projects in the province, to improve rural water supply security capabilities and operation management levels, and to provide institutional support for the realization of high-quality rural water supply development.

Since the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, Hubei's rural water supply guarantee has achieved remarkable results. Data show that as of the end of October this year, Hubei's rural tap water penetration rate and large-scale project coverage reached 98.5% and 88.1% respectively, and 82 counties (cities, districts) have achieved county-wide unified management of rural water supply.

It is reported that the measures introduced this time mainly include four aspects: building a modern rural water supply engineering system, improving the long-term operation and management mechanism of rural water supply, promoting rural water supply price reform, and strengthening work and policy implementation.

It is proposed to comprehensively improve rural water supply security capabilities, and coordinate and promote the integration of urban and rural water supply, large-scale centralized water supply, and standardized small-scale water supply from four aspects: strengthening top-level planning of rural water supply in counties, promoting project construction in categories, accelerating economical and intensive development, and strict quality and safety control.

In addition, we will focus on promoting unified management in counties and improving the level of professional management and protection; strengthening the guarantee of water supply quantity and quality, and building a full-chain guarantee system; improving intelligent management and service levels; strengthening emergency water supply guarantee, and continuing to improve the level of rural water supply operation, management and protection. In terms of rural water supply price reform, promote the rational formulation and adjustment of rural water supply prices, scientifically calculate water supply costs, and improve the water fee calculation and collection mechanism.

According to the plan, by 2030, the penetration rate of tap water in Hubei's rural areas will increase to more than 99%, the coverage rate of large-scale projects will reach more than 90%, and some areas will take the lead in realizing the modernization of rural water supply; by 2035, the modernization of rural water supply will be basically achieved.