On September 29, 2022, the follow-up optimization project for the connection of the Hanjiang Rongjiang Lianjiang water system was officially started. The Hanjiang River has a vast basin, the Rongjiang River is beautiful in its depths, and the Lianjiang River is circuitous. It is the mother river in the hearts of Chaoshan people. In recent years, with the development of economy and society, the spatial and temporal distribution of water resources in eastern Guangdong has become uneven, and the problem of insufficient local regulation and storage capacity has become increasingly apparent. Water resources have become a major bottleneck restricting the construction of eastern Guangdong.

From October 2020 to 2021, there will be continuous droughts in autumn, winter and spring in the Hanjiang River Basin and the east coast of Guangdong. In the spring of 2021, affected by the drought, the water level of many reservoirs in eastern Guangdong continued to drop, and some reservoirs exposed their bottoms and faced drying up. Chaonan District of Shantou and other places once adopted measures to save water for three stops and three to ensure water supply; Qilin Town, Puning, Jieyang and other places adopted a method of supplying one stop and one supply, and supplying water in turn in different areas; many towns in Chaozhou implemented water supply in different periods.

Benefit more than 8.5 million people

It is understood that the follow-up optimization project for the connection of the Hanjiang Rongjiang Lianjiang water system is the second phase of the Guangdong East Water Resources Optimization Project. Using the basically completed Luhu Tunnel Water Diversion Project and the Rongjiang Guanbu Water Diversion Project, a new closed water pipeline will be used. The ecological water replenishment function originally designed for the Hanjiang Rongjiang Lianjiang Water System Connecting Project was adjusted to give priority to urban and rural water supply. Resource allocation pattern, enhance regional water security capability, and take into account the improvement of water ecological environment.

The project consists of one trunk and two branches. Water is drawn from the Xishanxi receiving well in Chao’an Ancient Lane at the end of the Hanjiang Luhu Tunnel Water Diversion Project, and the main water pipeline is constructed to transport the Hanjiang water to the water intake of Rongjiangguan port, and then use the Rongjiangguan port. Port water diversion project, and through the Chaoyang branch trunk line, Puning and Chaonan branch trunk lines, water will be delivered to Hexi Reservoir in Chaoyang District, Tangkeng Reservoir in Puning City and Qiufeng Reservoir in Chaonan District. The estimated total investment of the project is 10.118 billion yuan, the total length of the water transmission line is 71.65 kilometers, and the total construction period is 40 months. At the same time, a new Xiajiashan pumping station was built on the Puning and Chaonan branch lines, with a total installed capacity of 7,200 kilowatts.

The Hanjiang and Rongjiang water systems have a height difference of 10 to 20 meters. During the construction of the project, it is necessary to achieve smooth connection of water flow and precise pressure regulation and flow control. The construction team will rely on technological innovation, apply new techniques and methods, gradually overcome technical difficulties, overcome complex water conditions and hydrogeological conditions, and respect the requirements of local folk customs.

As a major livelihood water conservancy project in Guangdong Province, the follow-up optimization project for the connection of the Hanjiang Rongjiang Lianjiang water system will help solve the problems of resource water shortage and engineering water shortage in eastern Guangdong, support high-quality economic and social development in eastern Guangdong, and accelerate the construction of one core, one belt, one belt. The regional development pattern of the district is of great significance. After the project is completed, it will effectively improve the water supply and emergency water supply capacity in eastern Guangdong, and form a water supply guarantee system that adjusts the abundance and dryness, complements multiple water sources and can be used sustainably. Editor/He Yuting