To address water-related problems and realize sustainable utilization of water resources, people need to be instructed on how to scientifically develop and utilize water resources, protect the ecological environment, and prevent water hazards.

This project was under the management of Department of International Cooperation, Science and Technology, Ministry of Water Resources, and undertaken by IWHR. Research group was established with experts from a handful of research centers. After 3 years of joint efforts, technological standard system for China’s sustainable utilization of water resources was established, providing technological foundation for standardizing integrated water resources management.

Major research topics include:
(1) Analyzing the current situation, existing problems, and development needs of water resources technological standard.
(2) Setting up framework of technological standard system for sustainable utilization of water resources.
(3) Designing technological standard system for key fields, and making plans for future developments.
(4) Finding solutions to key technological problems of important technological standards.
(5) Proposing suggestions on the implementation of water resources technological standards.
(6) Developing information sharing system for research achievements.

Major renovations include:
(1) The first water resources technological standard database in China.
(2) Research concepts and methodologies of technological standards for sustainable utilization of water resources.
(3) Development designs for China’s water resources technological standards.
(4) The first classification framework of technological standards for water resources sustainable utilization.
(5) Proposal of development plans for technological standards of water resources in eight key fields, and plans for currently-prioritized programs.
(6) Solutions to key technical problems for important technological standards.
(7) Solutions to implementation of technological standards for water resources sustainable utilization.

This research has part of its achievements applied to the Development Plans of Technological Standards for Resources Saving and Integrated Utilization in 2005-2007, which has been jointly issued and implemented by Standardization Administration of the People’s Republic of China and 14 other departments, revised scheme of water resources standard system, and promulgation and revision work on water resource technological standards.

The research has promoted the establishment of theoretical framework for water resources technological standard system and the development of water resources technological standard system. As a result, it has a promising application prospect and remarkable social and economic benefits.