South-North Water Diversion eastern route starts full-line 2026-2027 water transfer
Version 2: Added the full story text; the news itself is unchanged.
In short
The first phase of the eastern route of the South-North Water Diversion project started full-line water transfer for the 2026-2027 year on 20 October, according to China South-North Water Diversion Group. It is the earliest start since the route began carrying water 14 years ago. Planned net increases in supply are 561 million cubic metres for Jiangsu, 42 million for Anhui and 665 million for Shandong.
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China South-North Water Diversion Group said on 20 October that the first phase of the eastern route of the South-North Water Diversion project had started full-line water transfer for the 2026-2027 year. CLS, 36Kr, Jiemian and China News Service reported that this is the earliest start of water transfer since the eastern route began carrying water 14 years ago. Yicai published a report under the same headline. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
For the 2026-2027 water year, the plan calls for a net increase in water supply of 561 million cubic metres for Jiangsu province, 42 million for Anhui province and 665 million for Shandong province. The Taierzhuang (台儿庄) pumping station, on the Jiangsu-Shandong inter-provincial section, plans to transfer 1.007 billion cubic metres of water to Shandong. 36Kr and Jiemian credited CCTV News with the report. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Why it matters
The documents give the planned volumes for three provinces and say the start is the earliest in 14 years of operation. They give no further assessment of the effects.
Key facts
- The eastern route's first phase started full-line water transfer for the 2026-2027 water year on 20 October. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- It is the earliest start of water transfer since the eastern route began carrying water 14 years ago. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Planned net increase in water supply for Jiangsu province is 561 million cubic metres. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Planned net increase in water supply for Anhui province is 42 million cubic metres. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Planned net increase in water supply for Shandong province is 665 million cubic metres. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The Taierzhuang (台儿庄) pumping station, on the Jiangsu-Shandong inter-provincial section, plans to transfer 1.007 billion cubic metres of water to Shandong. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- China South-North Water Diversion Group said the eastern route's first phase started full-line water transfer for 2026-2027 on 20 October, the earliest start in the route's 14 years of operation. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The plan calls for net increases in supply of 561 million cubic metres for Jiangsu, 42 million for Anhui and 665 million for Shandong, and 1.007 billion cubic metres to Shandong through the Taierzhuang pumping station. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Still unclear
- How the planned volumes compare with earlier years' transfers. The documents give only the 2026-2027 plan and do not give figures for previous years.