Perennial drought, overuse, and pollution have left Beijing struggling to meet the growing water demands of its growing population and soaring economy, which is expanding by more than 11 percent a year on average. Many experts predict that the city’s growth will likely outstrip its water saving measures and its planned water transfers from neighboring provinces, which are experiencing their own water shortages.
© J. Carl Ganter and Aaron Jaffe / Circle of Blue
Photographs by J. Carl Ganter and Aaron Jaffe. Ganter—a Traverse City-based photojournalist and director of Circle of Blue—can be reached at jcarl@circleofblue.org. Jaffe—a Chicago-based photojournalist for Circle of Blue—can be reached at aaron@circleofblue.org.
Made to accompany Off the Deep End — Beijing’s Water Demand Outpaces Supply Despite Conservation, Recycling, and Imports, an article by Nadya Ivanova. Ivanova—who has reported from China, Europe, and the United States—is a Chicago-based reporter and producer for Circle of Blue. Reach her atnadya@circleofblue.org. Contributions by Jennifer Turner, Washington, D.C.-based director of the China Environment Forum at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Research assistance by Zifei Yang, research intern at the China Environment Forum.