Journal of Chongqing University (English Edition) [ISSN 1671-8224] Vol. 7 No.1 March 2008 8 Article ID: 1671-8224(2008)01-0008-09 To cite this article: CHEN Duan, Roger ATTWATER, LUO Min. Introduction to rainwater management in Australia and suggestions for China’s water problems [J]. J Chongqing Univ: Eng Ed [ISSN 1671-8224], 2008, 7(1): 8-16. Introduction to rainwater management in Australia and suggestions for China’s water problems ∗ CHEN Duan 1,† , Roger ATTWATER 2 , LUO Min 3 1 Hydraulics Department, Yangtze River Scientific Research Institute, Wuhan 430010, P.R. China 2 School of Environment and Agriculture, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, NSW, Australia 3 Journals Department, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, P.R. China Received 15 July 2007; received in revised form 20 February 2008 Abstract: Australia is one of the world leaders in water management. The country meets the challenge of water shortage with established integrated water management in which rainwater is taken as a too precious resource to be just drained off. In Australia, rainwater is extensively harvested and polished to provide cheaper supply for potable and non-potable domestic uses, irrigation, landscaping, refilling aquifers and other uses. Implementing dual management over the quantity and quality of storm water and practicing water sensitive urban design (WSUD) in urban areas effectively control non-point-source pollution of waterways by pollutants carried with runoffs, reduce the discharge of rainwater and thus protect properties and lives from damage by floods. These achievements are attributed to constant reinforcement by govenments from federal to local levels in policy, financial, legal and educational aspects, and also to the lasting efforts of professional communities and water industry in developing requisite techniques, demonstrating the benefits and fostering public credence of rainwater reuse. The successful rainwater management practices in Australia suggest rainwater harvesting can be a complimentary means for the South-to-North Water Transfer Scheme to solve the water shortage in China’s northern regions, and thus release to a degree the pressure on the Yangtze water resources. Best management practices of rainwater can be an effective controlling strategy for flooding and non-point-source water pollution of waterways. Such in-site source control initiatives have particular significance to protecting slow waterways of weak self- purification ability, like the Three Gorges Reservior. Keywords: water resources; water management; water conservation; rainwater management in Australia; rainwater harvesting; water scarcity in China CLC number: TU991.114 Document code: A 1 Introduction 2 Demands of water are increasing but resources are limited. There is a growing awareness of the value of collecting rainfall and using it more efficiently. In † CHEN Duan (陈端): ME; Engineer; Research interests: hydraulic engineering, Eco-hydraulics and water conservation; E-mail: chenduan777@gmail.com. ∗ Partly financed by the Training Fund of the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, P. R. China. developed countries, such as Germany, the United States, Japan and Australia, rain collecting and treating systems are built as a part of the infrastructure in many of their cities. There are many benefits for harvesting rainwater. It lessens local soil erosion and flooding caused by rapid runoff from impervious cover such as pavements and other artificial ground cover. It also helps to preserve the quality of waterways during and after a rain event. Rainwater harvesting can aid self-sufficiency, providing a back-up supply in case of water restrictions caused by drought, peak supply shortages, or water quality problems. Rainwater, being chlorine free, can Open access to full text of all articles at http://qks.cqu.edu.cn/