The General Office of the State Council recently issued the Opinions of The General Office of the State Council on accelerating the development of seawater desalination industry. The guideline proposes five major policies and measures to speed up the development of the desalination industry.

First, we will increase fiscal and tax policy support. Governments at all levels should increase investment in the development of seawater desalination industry. The central budget has invested in actively supporting the implementation of key demonstration projects of seawater desalination and desalination projects mainly aimed at municipal water supply. To study desalinated seawater into the municipal water supply system to issue appropriate support policies.

We will implement financial and price support policies. On the premise of controllable risks and sustainable business, financial institutions are encouraged to innovate credit varieties and ways of collateral, and increase credit support for desalination projects; Support qualified seawater desalination enterprises to raise funds by issuing stocks, bonds and other means to expand financing channels; Guide private capital to enter the seawater desalination industry reasonably and in a standard way. In coastal areas, especially coastal areas with water shortages and islands, we should speed up the establishment of a scientific and reasonable water pricing mechanism that can reflect resource scarcity, increase the enthusiasm of water supply enterprises in using desalinated seawater, and accelerate the development of the desalination industry.

Improve regulations and standards. To study and formulate relevant laws and regulations for seawater desalination, clarify the strategic positioning of seawater desalination, and guide and regulate the development of the desalination industry from the aspects of resource exploitation, environmental protection, safe supply and industrial development. To study and formulate desalination drainage, raw materials and pharmaceuticals, desalinated water quality and sanitation inspection, desalination technology, testing technology, engineering design and operation management, desalination regulatory standards and design and quality standards of related equipment, etc., to strengthen guidance and specifications for the development of the desalination industry.

Fourth, strengthen supervision and management. Relevant government departments at all levels shall strengthen supervision and administration over the examination and approval of new construction, reconstruction and expansion of high-water consumption industrial projects in coastal areas and islands, and put an end to illegal approval of non-conforming projects. Strengthen the quality supervision of desalination related equipment and products. We will strictly implement the examination and approval system for desalinated seawater to enter municipal water supply systems, strengthen supervision over the production and operation of seawater desalination and the quality of water supply, and ensure the safety of water supply. We will strictly implement laws, regulations and standards on environmental protection, carry out environmental impact assessments on water intake and concentrated brine discharge in accordance with the law, strengthen supervision over pollutant discharge, and ensure that the desalination industry develops in harmony with the ecological environment.

Strengthen publicity and training. The importance of seawater desalination should be widely publicized through various media, and the public's awareness of water resources concerns should be constantly raised. The public should fully understand the importance of seawater desalination as an important supplement and strategic reserve of water resources, as well as its role in improving resource utilization efficiency and protecting the environment. Training at all levels is actively carried out to continuously improve the technical level and professional quality of seawater desalination practitioners.