Maizhou River Basin Water Environment Comprehensive Treatment Project: A Technical Manual for Engineers

I. Project Overview and Background

1.1 Basin Basic Conditions

The Maizhou River is the largest river in Shenzhen and an important water system in the Pearl River Delta region. The basin has a total area of 388 square kilometers, with 311 square kilometers in Shenzhen and 77 square kilometers in Dongguan. The main stream is 41.6 kilometers long, flowing through Guangming District, Bao'an District in Shenzhen and Chang'an Town in Dongguan, with a total of 54 tributaries at all levels. The Maizhou River Basin is densely populated and industrially developed, and was once one of the most polluted rivers in Guangdong Province (5).

Before treatment, all 55 main streams and tributaries in the Maizhou River Basin were classified as 劣 Ⅴ 类 (below Class V), with 40 of them being black and odorous. The river was described as "every drop of water is polluted, every river is black" (5). The water quality of the Maizhou River ranked last in the province, seriously affecting public health, the business environment, and the city's image. It was called "a scar on Shenzhen's face" (6).

1.2 Pollution Causes and Historical Issues

The severe pollution of the Maizhou River was mainly caused by the following factors:

1. Industrial Pollution: The basin is home to a large number of industrial enterprises, especially low-end manufacturing industries. Some enterprises lacked sewage and drainage facilities, and industrial wastewater was directly discharged without effective treatment (6).
2. Domestic Sewage: The basin has a dense population. For example, the Xinqiao Subdistrict in Bao'an District has a population of more than 500,000. In some areas, there were no complete sewage systems, and domestic sewage was directly discharged into rivers (6).
3. Lagging Pipe Network Construction: The construction of secondary and tertiary pipe networks was insufficient, and mixed flow was serious. A large amount of sewage entered rivers without treatment (7).
4. River Sediment Pollution: Long-term pollution accumulation led to serious pollution of river sediments, which became an important endogenous pollution source (8).
5. Tidal Water Influx Problem: The lower reaches of the Maizhou River are tidal reaches, and tidal water influx intensified pollution diffusion and treatment difficulties (8).
6. Inadequate Flood Control: Most river courses had low flood control standards, high culvert rates, serious siltation, and drainage problems (7).

1.3 Treatment Objectives and Planning

The overall objectives of the Maizhou River comprehensive treatment project are:

1. Water Quality Objective: Basically eliminate black and odorous water, and achieve Class V water quality standards (7).
2. Engineering Construction Objectives:
   • New sewage pipe network of 2,053 kilometers
   • Complete 正本清源 (source control) and rain-sewage diversion 改造 (rain and sewage diversion transformation) for 2,628 communities and urban villages
   • New sewage treatment capacity of 810,000 tons per day
   • Dredging of 4.7 million cubic meters of sediment
   • Construction of 3 river sediment treatment plants (8)
3. Flood Control Objective: Through treatment, the flood control standard of the Maizhou River will reach once-in-a-century level (8).
4. Ecological Landscape Objective: Create an ecological landscape of "clear water, green banks, swimming fish, lush aquatic plants, and flocks of egrets" (7).

The project was launched in 2016, adopting the EPC general contracting model, with a total investment of about 15 billion yuan. Since 2016, Shenzhen has built 2,053 kilometers of new sewage pipe network in the Maizhou River Basin, completing the "13th Five-Year Plan" target two years ahead of schedule (8).

II. Key Technology Applications and Case Analysis

2.1 Source Control and Rain-Sewage Diversion Technology

2.1.1 Technical Principles and Implementation Process

正本清源 (source control) and rain-sewage diversion technology is one of the core technologies for Maizhou River treatment. Its principle is to transform the drainage system to achieve the separation of rainwater and sewage, controlling pollution from the source (6).

Technical Principles:

• Conduct a comprehensive investigation of every building and every pipeline to identify rain-sewage mixing points
• Redesign the drainage system so that sewage enters the sewage pipe network and rainwater enters the rainwater pipe network
• Establish a complete sewage collection system to achieve "full sewage collection, full treatment, and full compliance" (7)

Implementation Process:

1. Comprehensive Investigation: Conduct a building-by-building and household-by-household investigation to determine the current status of the drainage system and mixing points
2. Scheme Design: According to the investigation results, design personalized rain-sewage diversion transformation plans
3. Pipe Network Transformation: Transform the internal and external drainage pipe networks of buildings according to the design plan
4. Acceptance Testing: After transformation, conduct water tightness tests and water passing tests to ensure the separation effect
5. Long-term Management: Implement drainage management into communities to ensure the long-term effective operation of the drainage system (8)

2.1.2 Case Analysis: Songgang River Basin source control Project

The Songgang River is an important tributary of the Maizhou River, located in the Songgang Subdistrict of Bao'an District. The surrounding area is densely populated and industrially developed, with a complex drainage system (6).

Project Overview:

• Treatment Scope: Built-up area of Songgang Subdistrict, with an area of about 32 square kilometers
• Buildings Involved: Approximately 8,000 buildings
• Transformation Content: Internal drainage system transformation of buildings, improvement of municipal pipe network, comprehensive river treatment (8)

Implementation Process:

1. Detailed Investigation: Adopt the "one building, one file" method to conduct a detailed investigation of the drainage system of each building and establish electronic files
2. Classification Transformation: According to the building type and drainage status, adopt different transformation plans:
   • Residential Buildings: Focus on transforming balcony drainage, connecting washing machine drainage to the sewage pipe network
   • Commercial Buildings: Focus on transforming catering wastewater pretreatment facilities and drainage systems
   • Industrial Buildings: Focus on inspecting pretreatment facilities and connection conditions (7)
3. Pipe Network Improvement: Newly built 120 kilometers of sewage pipe network, repaired 35 kilometers of damaged pipe network, and solved problems of pipe network 断头 (dead ends) and blockages
4. Intelligent Management: Installed intelligent monitoring equipment to conduct real-time monitoring of key drainage households and ensure the normal operation of the drainage system (8)

Implementation Effect:

• The rain-sewage mixing rate decreased from 65% before transformation to less than 15%
• The sewage collection rate increased by about 20%
• The river water quality improved significantly, and the black and odorous phenomenon was basically eliminated (7)

2.1.3 Comparative Analysis with International Cases

International Case: Singapore ABC Waters Programme

Singapore's ABC Waters Programme (Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters) is a world-famous urban water management project, which has similarities and obvious differences with the Maizhou River source control project (6).

Characteristics of Singapore ABC Waters Programme:

1. Whole Basin Management: The concept of whole basin management from catchment area to estuary
2. Multi-functional Design: Combine drainage systems with urban landscapes and leisure spaces
3. Public Participation: Extensive public education and participation programs
4. Regulatory Protection: Complete legal and regulatory system and law enforcement mechanism (8)

Comparative Analysis:

 

Comparison Factor	Maizhou River source control	Singapore ABC Waters Programme
Implementation Scope	Focus on drainage system transformation in built-up areas	Whole basin management, including catchment areas, cities and estuaries
Technical Methods	Mainly engineering measures, emphasizing pipe network transformation	Combination of engineering and ecological measures, emphasizing natural solutions
Design Concept	Focus on solving current problems, emphasizing functionality	Combination of functionality, aesthetics and ecology, emphasizing sustainable development
Implementation Cycle	Large-scale transformation completed intensively within 2-3 years	Long-term continuous implementation, more than 15 years
Public Participation	Relatively limited	Extensive and in-depth, one of the key factors for project success
Regulatory Protection	Gradually improving	Mature and complete, strict law enforcement

Advantages and Disadvantages:

• Maizhou River Advantages: Fast implementation speed; Significant short-term results; Concentrated resources to solve key problems; High input-output ratio
• Maizhou River Disadvantages: Insufficient integration of ecological concepts; Low public participation; Long-term maintenance mechanism needs improvement
• Singapore Advantages: Systematic and comprehensive; Ecologically friendly; Focus on long-term sustainability; High public participation
• Singapore Disadvantages: Long implementation cycle; Large initial investment; High requirements for management level (8)

2.2 Sediment Dredging and Treatment Technology

2.2.1 Technical Principles and Process Flow

Sediment dredging and treatment is a key link in the Maizhou River treatment, which plays an important role in eliminating endogenous pollution and improving water quality (8).

Technical Principles:

• Remove pollutants transferred from the water phase to the solid phase by dredging river sediment
• Reduce the release of pollutants from sediment to water body, creating conditions for the restoration of aquatic ecosystem
• Conduct harmless treatment and resource utilization of dredged sediment to avoid secondary pollution (7)

Process Flow:

1. Sediment Survey: Determine the degree and distribution of sediment pollution through measurement and sampling analysis
2. Dredging Scheme Design: Design a reasonable dredging scope, depth and method according to the survey results
3. Dredging Implementation: Use appropriate dredging equipment to excavate and collect sediment
4. Sediment Transportation: Transport dredged sediment to treatment sites
5. Sediment Treatment: Conduct dehydration, solidification, stabilization and other treatments on sediment
6. Resource Utilization: Use treated sediment for brick making, backfilling and other purposes (8)

2.2.2 Case Analysis: Maizhou River Bao'an District Sediment Treatment Project

The Maizhou River Bao'an District sediment treatment project is an important part of the Maizhou River treatment and one of the largest river sediment treatment projects in China (8).

Project Overview:

• Treatment Scale: Daily treatment of about 3,000 cubic meters of sediment
• Treatment Process: "Microwave Conditioning + Plate Frame Filtration", "Plate Frame Filtration + Rapid Low-temperature Drying" and "Plate Frame Filtration + Low-temperature Condensation Drying"
• Treatment Objectives: Reduce the moisture content of sediment from about 80% to below 40%, meeting harmless and reduction requirements (7)

Implementation Process:

1. Sediment Survey: Use advanced technologies such as 3D laser scanning and boat-borne CCTV to conduct a comprehensive survey of river sediment, determining the scope and depth of dredging (8)
2. Dredging Construction:
   • According to river characteristics and sediment distribution, use different dredging equipment
   • Use cutter suction dredgers for deep water areas
   • Use grab dredgers or environmental cutter suction dredgers for shallow water areas
   • Use long-arm excavators or manual cleaning for near-shore areas (7)
3. Sediment Transportation:
   • Water Transportation: Use enclosed transportation ships to prevent sediment leakage and odor diffusion
   • Land Transportation: Use enclosed muck trucks to transport to treatment plants according to designated routes (8)
4. Sediment Treatment:
   • Pretreatment: Remove large pieces of garbage and debris from sediment through screening
   • Conditioning: Add special reagents to improve sediment dewatering performance
   • Deep Dewatering: Use high-pressure plate frame filter presses to reduce sediment moisture content to below 40%
   • Heavy Metal Passivation: Add heavy metal passivators to reduce the bioavailability of heavy metals
   • Stabilization Treatment: Add solidifying agents to improve sediment stability (7)
5. Resource Utilization:
   • Use treated sediment to make permeable bricks, ecological slope protection materials, etc.
   • Use part of the qualified sediment for backfilling low-lying areas or for greening soil (8)

Implementation Effect:

• A total of about 4.7 million cubic meters of sediment was treated
• The sediment moisture content was reduced from 80% to below 40%, with a volume reduction rate of more than 60%
• Heavy metal leaching concentration was significantly reduced, meeting harmless standards
• Resource utilization rate reached more than 85%, reducing landfill pressure and environmental risks (7)

2.2.3 Comparative Analysis with International Cases

International Case: Chicago TARP Project Sediment Treatment System

Chicago's TARP (Tunnel and Reservoir Plan) project is one of the largest urban flood control and sewage treatment projects in the world, with its sediment treatment system having internationally advanced standards (8).

Characteristics of Chicago TARP Sediment Treatment System:

1. Large Deep Tunnel System: Construction of approximately 176 kilometers of deep tunnels for collecting and temporarily storing mixed sewage and sediment during rainstorms
2. Large Storage Reservoirs: Construction of multiple large underground reservoirs with a total capacity of 15.5 billion cubic meters
3. Advanced Sediment Treatment Technology: Use mechanical and hydraulic separation, dehydration, stabilization and other technologies to process sediment
4. Strict Environmental Standards: Treated sediment meets US EPA regulations for land use or landfill standards (7)

Comparative Analysis:

 

Comparison Factor	Maizhou River Sediment Treatment	Chicago TARP Sediment Treatment
Treatment Scale	Daily treatment of about 3,000 cubic meters	Combined with tunnel system, can handle larger scale of mixed sewage and sediment
Technical Route	Mainly dehydration and solidification, focusing on resource utilization	Mainly separation, dehydration, stabilization, focusing on reduction and harmlessness
Treatment Depth	Moisture content reduced to below 40%	Moisture content reduced to below 35%
Treatment Objectives	Reduction, harmlessness, resource utilization	Reduction, harmlessness
Application Scenario	Mainly treats sediment from polluted rivers	Mainly treats mixed sewage and sediment from combined sewer systems
Investment Cost	Relatively low, focusing on practicality	Very high, technically complex

Advantages and Disadvantages:

• Maizhou River Advantages: Relatively low investment; Simple treatment process; High resource utilization; More suitable for China's national conditions
• Maizhou River Disadvantages: Limited treatment depth; Low degree of automation; Insufficient long-term stability research
• Chicago TARP Advantages: Deeper treatment depth; High degree of automation; High system integration; Rich long-term operation experience
• Chicago TARP Disadvantages: Huge investment; Technically complex; High requirements for operation management; Insufficient resource utilization (7)

2.3 Sewage Treatment and Water Quality Improvement Technology

2.3.1 Technical Principles and Process Selection

Sewage treatment and water quality improvement are core links in the Maizhou River treatment, directly related to effluent quality and ecological restoration effects (8).

Technical Principles:

• Use physical, chemical and biological methods to remove pollutants from sewage
• Treat sewage to meet discharge standards, reducing pollution to water environment
• Part of the treated water can be reused as reclaimed water for landscape water replenishment or industrial water (7)

Process Selection Principles:

1. Adapt to Local Conditions: Select appropriate processes according to incoming water quality, treatment requirements and site conditions
2. Technologically Advanced: Prioritize mature, reliable and technologically advanced treatment processes
3. Economically Reasonable: Under the premise of meeting treatment requirements, select options with lower investment and operating costs
4. Ecologically Friendly: Focus on energy saving and resource recovery, reducing environmental impact (8)

Main sewage treatment processes used in the Maizhou River Basin include:

1. A²/O Process: Anaerobic-anoxic-oxic process with nitrogen and phosphorus removal functions
2. Modified A²/O Process: Improved based on traditional A²/O process to enhance treatment efficiency
3. MBR Process: Membrane bioreactor with advantages of good effluent quality and small footprint
4. Biological Filter: Uses biofilm method treatment technology, suitable for advanced treatment (7)

2.3.2 Case Analysis: Shenzhen Shajing Water Quality Purification Plant Upgrading Project

Shajing Water Quality Purification Plant is one of the most important sewage treatment facilities in the Maizhou River Basin, and its upgrading project is a key project in the Maizhou River treatment (8).

Project Overview:

• Treatment Scale: 400,000 tons/day
• Original Discharge Standard: Class B of the first level
• Upgraded Discharge Standard: Quasi-Class IV standard (COD ≤ 30mg/L, BOD5 ≤ 6mg/L, ammonia nitrogen ≤ 1.5mg/L, total phosphorus ≤ 0.3mg/L)
• Treatment Process: On the basis of the original A²/O process, add advanced treatment units, using "coagulation sedimentation + filter cloth filter + ultraviolet disinfection" process (7)

Implementation Process:

1. Current Status Assessment: Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the original treatment facilities to determine the feasibility and technical route for upgrading (8)
2. Process Design:
   • Pretreatment Section: Retain the original coarse screen, fine screen and grit chamber
   • Biological Treatment Section: Optimize and transform the original A²/O tank to improve nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiency
   • Advanced Treatment Section: Add new coagulation sedimentation tank, filter cloth filter tank and ultraviolet disinfection tank
   • Sludge Treatment Section: Upgrade and transform the sludge treatment system to improve dewatering efficiency (7)
3. Equipment Upgrading:
   • Update aeration system, adopt high-efficiency and energy-saving microporous aerators
   • Replace mixed liquor return pumps and sludge return pumps to improve operating efficiency
   • Install online monitoring equipment to achieve automatic control (8)
4. Intelligent Management:
   • Establish a whole plant automatic control system to achieve real-time monitoring and automatic adjustment of process parameters
   • Install water quality online monitoring system to conduct real-time monitoring of influent and effluent water quality
   • Establish an intelligent water affairs management platform to achieve refined management of production operations (7)

Implementation Effect:

• Effluent water quality stably reaches the quasi-Class IV standard
• Annual COD reduction of about 12,000 tons
• Annual ammonia nitrogen reduction of about 1,200 tons
• Annual total phosphorus reduction of about 180 tons
• Treated tail water is used as landscape water replenishment, reused in Maizhou River tributaries, improving the river ecological environment (8)

2.3.3 Comparative Analysis with International Cases

International Case: Netherlands Maaskantewater Treatment Plant

The Netherlands' Maaskantewater sewage treatment plant is one of the most advanced sewage treatment plants in Europe, whose treatment technology and concept represent the international advanced level (8).

Characteristics of Maaskantewater Sewage Treatment Plant:

1. Full Process Treatment: Whole process management from sewage collection to treatment to resource recovery
2. Energy Self-sufficiency: Achieve energy self-sufficiency through biogas power generation
3. Resource Recovery: Recover phosphorus, nitrogen and other resources from sewage
4. Ultra-low Discharge Standard: Effluent water quality reaches surface water Class IV standard
5. Ecological Design: The plant is integrated with the surrounding ecological environment, becoming part of the urban ecosystem (7)

Comparative Analysis:

 

Comparison Factor	Shajing Water Quality Purification Plant	Netherlands Maaskantewater Treatment Plant
Treatment Scale	400,000 tons/day	Approximately 300,000 tons/day
Discharge Standard	Quasi-Class IV standard	Surface water Class IV standard
Treatment Process	A²/O + advanced treatment	Multi-stage A²/O + MBR + advanced oxidation
Energy Consumption	Approximately 0.3kWh/ton of water	Energy self-sufficient, excess energy fed into grid
Resource Recovery	Limited sludge treatment and biogas utilization	Phosphorus recovery, nitrogen recovery, energy recovery
Ecological Integration	Good plant greening, but relatively isolated from surrounding environment	Fully integrated into urban ecosystem, becoming part of urban park

Advantages and Disadvantages:

• Shajing Advantages: Large treatment scale; Stable operation; Relatively low investment; Suitable for China's national conditions
• Shajing Disadvantages: High energy consumption; Limited resource recovery; Insufficient ecological integration; Automation level needs improvement
• Netherlands Advantages: Energy self-sufficient; Comprehensive resource recovery; High ecological integration; High automation level; Environmentally friendly
• Netherlands Disadvantages: Huge investment; Technically complex; High requirements for operation management; Insufficient adaptability to China's national conditions (7)

2.4 Initial Rainwater Interception and Storage Technology

2.4.1 Technical Principles and System Composition

Initial rainwater interception and storage technology is an important means to control urban non-point source pollution, which is of great significance for improving urban water environment quality (8).

Technical Principles:

• Initial rainwater contains a large amount of pollutants and is an important source of urban water body pollution
• Through the construction of initial rainwater interception system, collect initial rainwater and treat it, reducing pollutants entering water bodies
• Use storage tanks to temporarily store initial rainwater, and then treat it when the sewage treatment plant has processing capacity, avoiding impact load (7)

System Composition:

1. Interception Pipe Network: Interception pipes arranged along roads or rivers for collecting initial rainwater
2. Storage Tank: Facilities for temporarily storing initial rainwater, which can be underground, semi-underground or above-ground
3. Lifting Pump Station: Used to lift collected initial rainwater to storage tanks or treatment facilities
4. Intelligent Control System: Automatically control the opening and closing of interception valves according to rainfall, water quality and other parameters
5. Monitoring System: Real-time monitoring of rainfall, water level, water quality and other parameters, providing data support for system operation (8)

2.4.2 Case Analysis: Shenzhen Guangming District Initial Rainwater Interception System

The Guangming District initial rainwater interception system is the first large-scale initial rainwater interception project in the Maizhou River Basin, and also a demonstration project of Shenzhen's initial rainwater interception system (7).

Project Overview:

• Service Area: Approximately 89 square kilometers
• System Composition: 1 main pipe, 13 branch pipes, 50 small pipes, with a total length of about 89 kilometers of initial rainwater interception pipes, 9 storage tanks with a total volume of 493,000 cubic meters
• Design Standard: Collect unclean rainwater within the initial 15 millimeters of rainfall (8)

Implementation Process:

1. System Planning:
   • According to the terrain, drainage system and pollution source distribution of Guangming District, determine the layout of the initial rainwater interception system
   • Use model simulation technology to optimize the diameter of interception pipes and the capacity of storage tanks
   • Combine with urban planning to determine the location and form of storage tanks (7)
2. Pipe Network Construction:
   • Newly built 89 kilometers of initial rainwater interception pipes, with diameters ranging from DN300 to DN1200
   • Adopt trenchless construction technology to reduce the impact on urban traffic and residents' lives
   • Transform part of the old pipe network to improve interception efficiency (8)
3. Storage Tank Construction:
   • Construct 9 storage tanks with a total volume of 493,000 cubic meters
   • According to site conditions, adopt different forms of storage tanks: underground, semi-underground and above-ground
   • Storage tanks adopt reinforced concrete structure with anti-seepage and anti-odor functions
   • Install water level monitoring equipment and automatic control systems in storage tanks (7)
4. Intelligent Control:
   • Establish an initial rainwater interception intelligent control system to achieve automatic operation
   • According to rainfall, water level and water quality parameters, automatically control the opening and closing of interception valves
   • Link with the sewage treatment plant control system to achieve scientific scheduling and treatment of initial rainwater (8)

Implementation Effect:

• The initial rainwater collection rate reached more than 85%
• Pollutants such as COD, SS, and TP were reduced by 60-80%
• Effectively reduced the impact of non-point source pollution on the Maizhou River
• Reduced the impact load on sewage treatment plants and improved treatment efficiency (7)

2.4.3 Comparative Analysis with International Cases

International Case: Berlin Initial Rainwater Treatment System

Berlin's initial rainwater treatment system is one of the most advanced initial rainwater treatment systems in Europe, whose design concept and technology application have international leading standards (8).

Characteristics of Berlin Initial Rainwater Treatment System:

1. Source Control: Emphasize reducing pollutant emissions from the source, such as using low-impact development technology
2. Decentralized Treatment: Adopt decentralized treatment facilities, such as bio-retention ponds, infiltration trenches, etc.
3. Intelligent Control: Advanced intelligent control system to achieve refined management
4. Resource Utilization: Use treated initial rainwater for urban greening, road washing, etc., to achieve water resource recycling
5. Legal Regulations: Complete legal and regulatory system to ensure the effective operation of the system (7)

Comparative Analysis:

 

Comparison Factor	Shenzhen Guangming District Initial Rainwater Interception System	Berlin Initial Rainwater Treatment System
Design Concept	Focus on end treatment, emphasizing engineering measures	Combination of source control and end treatment, emphasizing ecological measures
System Composition	Mainly interception pipe network and storage tanks, supplemented by treatment facilities	Mainly decentralized treatment facilities, supplemented by centralized treatment
Treatment Method	Collect and send to sewage treatment plant for treatment	Combination of decentralized treatment and centralized treatment
Intelligent Level	Initial realization of automatic control	Highly intelligent, capable of adaptive control
Resource Utilization	Mainly used to reduce water body pollution, limited resource utilization	Emphasize water resource recycling and pollutant resource utilization
Implementation Effect	Pollutant reduction rate of 60-80%	Pollutant reduction rate of 80-90%

Advantages and Disadvantages:

• Guangming District Advantages: Concentrated system, convenient management; High treatment efficiency; Relatively low investment; Suitable for high-density urban areas
• Guangming District Disadvantages: Insufficient integration of ecological concepts; Low degree of intelligence; Limited resource utilization; Greater impact on urban landscape
• Berlin Advantages: Ecologically friendly; High degree of intelligence; Sufficient resource utilization; Little impact on urban landscape; Good long-term effect
• Berlin Disadvantages: Decentralized system, complex management; Large investment; High requirements for operation management; Suitable for low-density urban areas (7)

2.5 Ecological Restoration and Landscape Construction Technology

2.5.1 Technical Principles and Implementation Strategies

Ecological restoration and landscape construction are important components of the Maizhou River treatment, which play an important role in restoring river ecosystem functions and enhancing urban environmental quality (8).

Technical Principles:

• Reconstruct the structure and function of river ecosystems through ecological engineering technology
• Use aquatic plants, microorganisms and other biological elements to enhance water self-purification capacity
• Combine with landscape design to create pleasant waterfront spaces, achieving unity of ecological and social benefits (7)

Implementation Strategies:

1. Ecological Revetment: Adopt ecologically friendly revetment forms, such as plant revetment, gabion revetment, etc., providing habitats for aquatic organisms
2. Aquatic Vegetation Restoration: Plant aquatic plants suitable for local environments to build a complete aquatic plant community
3. Biodiversity Enhancement: Improve biodiversity through measures such as habitat creation and ecological corridor construction
4. Hydrodynamic Improvement: Improve hydrodynamic conditions through river channel morphology optimization and sluice regulation
5. Landscape Design: Combine water conservancy projects with landscape design to create waterfront spaces with regional characteristics (8)

2.5.2 Case Analysis: Maizhou River Greenway Construction Project

The Maizhou River Greenway is a landmark project of ecological restoration and landscape construction of the Maizhou River, and also an important part of Shenzhen's greenway network (7).

Project Overview:

• Construction Mileage: Approximately 13 kilometers (main stream section)
• Construction Content: Ecological restoration, landscape improvement, public facility construction, cultural display, etc.
• Investment Scale: Approximately 1.5 billion yuan (8)

Implementation Process:

1. Planning and Design:
   • Follow the concept of "ecology first, people-oriented, cultural integration, intelligent management"
   • Adopt the "multi-plan integration" method to integrate the needs of water conservancy, ecology, transportation, culture and other aspects
   • Combine with the existing conditions along the line to design the overall layout of "one river, two banks, three sections and eight nodes" (7)
2. Ecological Restoration:
   • River Regulation: Remove hard revetments and restore natural river morphology; Clear river obstacles and improve hydrodynamic conditions
   • Vegetation Restoration: Plant native aquatic plants, hygrophytic plants and terrestrial plants to build a complete plant community
   • Habitat Creation: Set up fishways, fish nests, artificial floating islands, etc., providing habitats for aquatic organisms
   • Water Quality Improvement: Set up constructed wetlands, biological floating beds, etc. in key areas to further purify water quality (8)
3. Landscape Construction:
   • Waterfront Space: Build 亲水 platforms (亲水 platforms), viewing platforms, leisure trails, etc., enhancing interaction between people and water
   • Node Creation: Focus on creating Greenway Ring, Wetland Park, Water Culture Exhibition Hall, Featured Sluice, Beer Garden and other nodes
   • Cultural Integration: Explore the historical and cultural resources of the Maizhou River, displaying them through sculptures, exhibition halls, etc.
   • Night Lighting: Design energy-saving and environmentally friendly night lighting systems to create beautiful night landscapes (7)
4. Intelligent Management:
   • Install water quality monitoring equipment to monitor changes in river water quality in real-time
   • Build an intelligent monitoring system to conduct all-round monitoring of the greenway
   • Develop a mobile APP to provide citizens with information inquiry, navigation and other services (8)

Implementation Effect:

• Ecological Benefits: Water quality improved significantly, biodiversity increased, and a complete aquatic ecosystem formed
• Social Benefits: Provided high-quality leisure spaces, receiving more than 1 million visitors annually
• Economic Benefits: Drove industrial upgrading in surrounding areas, promoting land value appreciation and economic development (7)

2.5.3 Comparative Analysis with International Cases

International Case: Netherlands Nijmegen Room for the River Project

The Netherlands' Nijmegen Room for the River project is a world-famous river ecological restoration and urban renewal combined project, whose design concept and implementation method have important reference value (8).

Characteristics of Nijmegen Room for the River Project:

1. Equal Importance to Flood Control and Ecology: Improve flood control standards while focusing on ecosystem restoration
2. Space Remodeling: Create new urban spaces through river widening and new river construction
3. Multi-functional Utilization: Combine flood control spaces with urban parks, leisure spaces, ecological spaces, etc.
4. Public Participation: Extensive public participation and community co-construction process
5. Cultural Integration: Respect local history and culture, integrate cultural elements into design (7)

Comparative Analysis:

 

Comparison Factor	Maizhou River Greenway	Netherlands Nijmegen Project
Project Scale	13 kilometers of river ecological restoration and landscape construction	River transformation of the entire Nijmegen urban section
Design Concept	Ecology first, people-oriented, cultural integration, intelligent management	Flood control safety, ecological restoration, space remodeling, cultural inheritance
Technical Route	Mainly ecological restoration and landscape improvement, supplemented by water conservancy projects	Mainly water conservancy projects, combined with ecological restoration and urban design
Implementation Cycle	2 years (phase I)	8 years (implemented in stages)
Public Participation	Relatively limited, mainly through questionnaires and expert consultations	Extensive and in-depth, throughout the entire project process
Implementation Effect	Significant ecological, social and economic benefits	Improved flood control safety, optimized urban space, restored ecosystem

Advantages and Disadvantages:

• Maizhou River Advantages: Fast implementation speed; Relatively low investment; High degree of intelligence; Good landscape effect
• Maizhou River Disadvantages: Limited ecosystem restoration; Low public participation; Long-term maintenance mechanism needs improvement; Limited impact on urban space
• Netherlands Advantages: Systematic and comprehensive; Good ecological restoration effect; Successful urban space remodeling; High public participation; Strong long-term sustainability
• Netherlands Disadvantages: Long implementation cycle; Huge investment; High requirements for management level; Relatively low intelligence level (7)

III. Standard and Specification Application Analysis

3.1 Water Quality Standard Application

The Maizhou River treatment project strictly follows national and local relevant water quality standards, which are important bases for project design, implementation and acceptance (8).

3.1.1 Main Water Quality Standards

National Standards:

1. Environmental Quality Standards for Surface Water(GB 3838-2002): The main basis for Maizhou River water quality evaluation, which stipulates five categories of surface water quality standards, among which:
   • Class I: Mainly applicable to source water and national nature reserves
   • Class II: Mainly applicable to primary protected areas of centralized drinking water surface sources
   • Class III: Mainly applicable to secondary protected areas of centralized drinking water surface sources
   • Class IV: Mainly applicable to general industrial water areas and non-direct contact recreational water areas
   • Class V: Mainly applicable to agricultural water areas and general landscape requirements waters (7)
2. Discharge Standard of Pollutants for Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant(GB 18918-2002): Stipulates the discharge standards for wastewater treatment plants, among which the first-level A standard is the basic requirement for wastewater treatment plants in the Maizhou River Basin (8).

Local Standards:

1. Surface Water Environmental Function Zoning of Guangdong Province: Stipulates the water quality objectives for each section of the Maizhou River, among which the water quality objective for the main stream of the Maizhou River (Shenzhen section) is Class IV (7).
2. Discharge Standard of Water Pollutants for Maizhou River Basin: A local discharge standard formulated according to the characteristics of the Maizhou River Basin, which puts forward stricter requirements for main pollutants such as COD, ammonia nitrogen and total phosphorus (8).
3. Discharge Limits of Water Pollutants for Shenzhen City(DB44/26-2001): Shenzhen local discharge standard, which puts forward strict requirements for water pollutant emissions from industrial enterprises in the Maizhou River Basin (7).

3.1.2 Standard Application in Projects

Water Quality Objective Setting:

• Water quality objective for the main stream of the Maizhou River (Shenzhen section): Class IV (COD ≤ 30mg/L, BOD5 ≤ 6mg/L, ammonia nitrogen ≤ 1.5mg/L, total phosphorus ≤ 0.3mg/L)
• Water quality objective for tributaries of the Maizhou River (Shenzhen section): Class V (COD ≤ 40mg/L, BOD5 ≤ 10mg/L, ammonia nitrogen ≤ 2.0mg/L, total phosphorus ≤ 0.4mg/L)
• Discharge standard for wastewater treatment plants: Newly built and expanded wastewater treatment plants implement the quasi-Class IV standard (COD ≤ 30mg/L, BOD5 ≤ 6mg/L, ammonia nitrogen ≤ 1.5mg/L, total phosphorus ≤ 0.3mg/L) (8)

Water Quality Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Monitoring Items: pH value, dissolved oxygen, permanganate index, chemical oxygen demand, five-day biochemical oxygen demand, ammonia nitrogen, total phosphorus, copper, zinc, fluoride, selenium, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, lead, cyanide, volatile phenol, petroleum 类，anionic surfactant, sulfide (total 21 items)
• Monitoring Frequency: Monthly routine monitoring, increased monitoring frequency for key sections
• Evaluation Method: Single factor evaluation method, evaluate main pollution items when exceeding Class III (7)

Effect Evaluation:

• According to January 2025 monitoring results, the water quality of the Gonghecun section of the Maizhou River was Class IV, with the main pollutants being ammonia nitrogen and petroleum 类，and the ammonia nitrogen concentration decreased by 56.0% compared with the same period last year
• According to April 2025 monitoring results, the water quality index of the Gonghecun section of the Maizhou River was 8.4497, a decrease of 19.3% compared with the same period last year, and the water quality continued to improve (8)

3.1.3 Comparative Analysis with International Water Quality Standards

International Water Quality Standards:

1. EU Water Framework Directive (WFD): Requires member states to achieve "good ecological status" for all water bodies by 2015, including chemical and ecological standards (11).
2. US Clean Water Act (CWA): Sets water quality goals of "fishable and swimmable", and controls pollutant emissions through the "TMDL Plan" (14).
3. World Health Organization (WHO) Water Quality Guidelines: Provide scientific basis for countries to develop water quality standards, focusing on protecting human health (12).

Comparative Analysis:

 

Comparison Factor	Chinese Water Quality Standards	EU Water Framework Directive	US Clean Water Act
Standard Structure	Divided into five categories, set standards according to functional zoning	Divided into "good" and "bad" two categories, emphasizing ecosystem health	Based on usage, emphasizing fishable and swimmable
Indicator Setting	Mainly chemical indicators, fewer biological indicators	Equal emphasis on chemical and biological indicators	Mainly chemical indicators, focusing on sensory indicators
Management Method	Based on concentration control, emphasizing discharge standards	Based on ecosystem management, emphasizing comprehensive methods	Based on TMDL plan, emphasizing total amount control
Implementation Effect	Clear standards, easy to implement, but lack of ecological indicators	Systematic and comprehensive, but difficult to implement	Clear objectives, strict implementation, but lack of flexibility

Advantages and Disadvantages:

• China Advantages: Complete standard system; Clear indicators; Easy to implement; Suitable for China's national conditions
• China Disadvantages: Lack of ecological indicators; Standards update relatively slowly; Insufficient consideration of regional differences; Implementation needs to be strengthened
• EU Advantages: Systematic and comprehensive; Advanced ecological concepts; Emphasize integrated management; Focus on long-term sustainability
• EU Disadvantages: Difficult to implement; High cost; High requirements for management capabilities; Lack of flexibility
• US Advantages: Clear objectives; Strict implementation; Focus on public health; Strong flexibility
• US Disadvantages: Lack of ecological indicators; Insufficient consideration of regional differences; Complex total amount control implementation (14)

3.2 Engineering Construction Standard Application

The Maizhou River treatment project strictly follows national and local relevant engineering construction standards to ensure project quality and safety (8).

3.2.1 Main Engineering Construction Standards

National Standards:

1. Code for Construction and Acceptance of Water Supply and Drainage Pipeline Engineering(GB 50268-2008): Stipulates the construction and acceptance requirements for water supply and drainage pipeline engineering, which is the main basis for pipe network construction in the Maizhou River treatment (7).
2. Code for Acceptance of Construction Quality of Building Foundation Engineering(GB 50202-2018): Stipulates the construction quality acceptance requirements for building foundation engineering, applicable to foundation engineering of various buildings and structures in the Maizhou River treatment (8).
3. Code for Acceptance of Construction Quality of Concrete Structures(GB 50204-2015): Stipulates the construction quality acceptance requirements for concrete structures, applicable to various concrete structures in the Maizhou River treatment (7).
4. Code for Construction Quality Inspection and Assessment of Water Conservancy and Hydropower Engineering(SL 176-2007): Stipulates the methods and standards for construction quality inspection and assessment of water conservancy and hydropower engineering, applicable to water conservancy projects in the Maizhou River treatment (8).

Industry Standards:

1. Technical Code for Urban Water Supply and Drainage(GB 50788-2012): Stipulates the basic technical requirements for urban water supply and drainage engineering, which is an important reference for the Maizhou River treatment project (7).
2. Code for Acceptance of Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant Engineering Quality(GB 50334-2017): Stipulates the quality acceptance requirements for municipal wastewater treatment plant engineering, applicable to the construction of wastewater treatment plants in the Maizhou River treatment (8).
3. Unified Standard for Construction Quality Acceptance of Municipal Public Engineering(CJJ/T 291-2018): Stipulates the unified standard for construction quality acceptance of municipal public engineering, applicable to various municipal engineering in the Maizhou River treatment (7).

Local Standards:

1. Measures for Construction Management of Shenzhen Water Conservancy Engineering: Stipulates the management requirements and technical standards for Shenzhen water conservancy engineering construction, which is an important basis for the Maizhou River treatment project (8).
2. Technical Code for Municipal Drainage Pipeline Engineering of Shenzhen City: A local standard formulated according to the special geological and climatic conditions of Shenzhen, applicable to drainage pipeline engineering in the Maizhou River treatment (7).

3.2.2 Standard Application in Projects

Pipe Network Engineering:

• Pipe Material Selection: According to geological conditions and usage requirements in different sections, select appropriate pipe materials, such as ductile iron pipes, PE pipes, glass fiber reinforced plastic sand pipes, etc.
• Pipe Connection: Strictly follow the requirements of the "Code for Construction and Acceptance of Water Supply and Drainage Pipeline Engineering", adopt appropriate connection methods to ensure joint tightness
• Pipe Foundation: According to geological conditions and pipe diameter, adopt different forms of foundation such as sand gravel foundation and concrete foundation
• Backfill Material: The selection and compaction control of backfill materials are strictly implemented according to specification requirements to ensure pipeline safety (8)

Wastewater Treatment Plant Engineering:

• Structure Construction: Strictly follow the requirements of the "Code for Acceptance of Construction Quality of Concrete Structures" and the "Code for Acceptance of Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant Engineering Quality" to ensure the structural safety and impermeability of structures
• Equipment Installation: Equipment installation, commissioning and acceptance are strictly implemented according to relevant standards to ensure normal equipment operation
• Electrical System: The design, installation and acceptance of the electrical system are strictly implemented according to the "Code for Construction Quality Acceptance of Building Electrical Engineering" to ensure electrical safety (7)

River Regulation Engineering:

• Dike Engineering: The design and construction of dikes are strictly implemented according to the "Code for Design of Dike Engineering" and the "Code for Construction of Dike Engineering" to ensure flood control safety
• Revetment Engineering: The design and construction of revetments combine ecological requirements, adopting ecologically friendly structural forms and materials
• Dredging Engineering: The scope, depth and accuracy of dredging are strictly implemented according to design requirements to ensure dredging effects (8)

3.2.3 Comparative Analysis with International Engineering Standards

International Engineering Standards:

1. US ASCE Standards: A series of engineering standards developed by the American Society of Civil Engineers, which have extensive influence internationally (17).
2. British BS Standards: Engineering standards developed by the British Standards Institution, known for their rigor and practicality (18).
3. EU EN Standards: Unified engineering standards of the European Union, emphasizing sustainability and environmental protection requirements (16).

Comparative Analysis:

 

Comparison Factor	Chinese Engineering Standards	US ASCE Standards	British BS Standards	EU EN Standards
Standard System	Mandatory standards as the main, recommended standards as the supplement	Mainly voluntary standards, become mandatory after government adoption	Mainly voluntary standards, become mandatory after government adoption	Mainly voluntary standards, with strong coordination
Technical Characteristics	Focus on practicality and economy, relatively high safety factor	Focus on performance design, emphasize risk management	Focus on details and durability, moderate safety factor	Focus on sustainability and environmental protection requirements, emphasize whole life cycle management
Implementation Method	Strict implementation of mandatory standards, voluntary adoption of recommended standards	Government adopts relevant standards through regulations, enterprises voluntarily adopt	Government adopts relevant standards through regulations, enterprises voluntarily adopt	EU member states transform into national standards through regulations
Internationalization Level	Relatively independent, low degree of internationalization	High degree of internationalization, widely used globally	High degree of internationalization, widely adopted by Commonwealth countries	Unified within the EU, gradually improving internationalization

Advantages and Disadvantages:

• China Advantages: Complete standard system; Clear mandatory provisions; Focus on practicality and economy; Suitable for China's national conditions
• China Disadvantages: Some standards are updated slowly; Low degree of internationalization; Insufficient compatibility with international standards; Lack of innovation
• US Advantages: Focus on performance design; Emphasize risk management; High degree of internationalization; Flexible update mechanism
• US Disadvantages: Large number of standards; Difficult coordination; Insufficient adaptability to developing countries
• British Advantages: Focus on details and durability; Moderate safety factor; High standard quality; High degree of internationalization
• British Disadvantages: Complex standards; High cost; Insufficient adaptability to developing countries
• EU Advantages: Focus on sustainability; Emphasize whole life cycle management; Strong coordination; Gradually improving internationalization
• EU Disadvantages: Complex standards; Difficult coordination; High implementation cost; Insufficient adaptability to developing countries (20)

3.3 Monitoring and Evaluation Standard Application

The Maizhou River treatment project has established a complete monitoring and evaluation system to ensure continuous improvement of treatment effects and environmental quality (8).

3.3.1 Main Monitoring and Evaluation Standards

Monitoring Standards:

1. Technical Specifications for Surface Water and Wastewater Monitoring(HJ/T 91-2002): Stipulates the technical requirements for sampling, preservation and analysis of surface water and wastewater monitoring (7).
2. Technical Specifications for Monitoring of Water Pollutant Discharge 总量(HJ/T 92-2002): Stipulates the technical requirements and methods for monitoring of water pollutant discharge 总量 (8).
3. Environmental Water Quality Monitoring Quality Assurance Manual(Second Edition): Stipulates the quality assurance requirements and methods for environmental water quality monitoring (7).

Evaluation Standards:

1. Measures for Assessment of Surface Water Environmental Quality (Trial Implementation): Stipulates the methods and standards for assessment of surface water environmental quality (8).
2. Guidelines for Renovation of Urban Black and Odorous Water Bodies: Stipulates the identification, assessment and renovation requirements for urban black and odorous water bodies (7).
3. Code for Calculation of Ecological Environmental Water Requirements for Rivers and Lakes(SL/Z 712-2014): Stipulates the calculation methods and standards for ecological environmental water requirements for rivers and lakes (8).

3.3.2 Standard Application in Projects

Monitoring System:

• Monitoring Point Layout: According to the distribution of main streams and tributaries of the Maizhou River and pollution source conditions, 40 water quality monitoring sections were set up, among which 8 key monitoring sections including Gonghecun and Yangyong Bridge were set up on the main stream (7).
• Monitoring Items:
  • Routine Monitoring Items: pH, dissolved oxygen, COD, BOD5, ammonia nitrogen, total phosphorus, suspended solids, etc.
  • Heavy Metal Monitoring Items: Mercury, cadmium, lead, chromium, arsenic, etc.
  • Microbial Monitoring Items: Total coliforms, fecal coliforms, etc.
  • Sediment Monitoring Items: Heavy metals, organic matter, moisture content, etc. (8)
• Monitoring Frequency:
  • Routine Monitoring: Monthly
  • Key Sections: Weekly
  • Special Periods: Increased monitoring frequency (7)

Evaluation Methods:

• Water Quality Assessment: Single factor assessment method, assess main pollution items when exceeding Class III
• Black and Odorous Assessment: According to the "Guidelines for Renovation of Urban Black and Odorous Water Bodies", assess from four indicators: transparency, dissolved oxygen, oxidation-reduction potential and ammonia nitrogen
• Ecological Assessment: Use biodiversity index, benthic animal assessment and other methods to assess river ecological status (8)

Effect Assessment:

• Water Quality Improvement: The ammonia nitrogen concentration at the Gonghecun section of the Maizhou River decreased from 23.33mg/L at the end of 2015 to 0.71mg/L in January 2025, and the total phosphorus concentration decreased from 3.05mg/L to 0.18mg/L, reaching the Class IV surface water standard.
• Black and Odorous Elimination: The remediation effect of 40 black and odorous water bodies in the basin was stable, and the black and odorous phenomenon was basically eliminated.
• Ecological Restoration: Aquatic plants, fish and other biodiversity significantly increased, and ecosystem functions gradually recovered. (7)

3.3.3 Comparative Analysis with International Monitoring and Evaluation Standards

International Monitoring and Evaluation Standards:

1. EU Water Framework Directive Monitoring and Evaluation System: Includes chemical monitoring, biological monitoring and ecological assessment, emphasizing comprehensive methods (11).
2. US Clean Water Act Monitoring and Evaluation System: Mainly chemical monitoring, focusing on public health and water body uses (14).
3. Japan River Law Monitoring and Evaluation System: Combines chemical indicators and biological indicators, emphasizing river health (13).

Comparative Analysis:

 

Comparison Factor	Chinese Monitoring and Evaluation System	EU WFD System	US CWA System	Japan River Law System
Monitoring Content	Mainly chemical monitoring, supplemented by biological monitoring	Equal emphasis on chemical and biological monitoring	Mainly chemical monitoring, focusing on sensory indicators	Combination of chemical and biological monitoring
Evaluation Methods	Mainly single factor evaluation, supplemented by comprehensive evaluation	Comprehensive evaluation, emphasizing ecosystem health	Based on usage, emphasizing fishable and swimmable	Comprehensive evaluation, emphasizing river health
Management Methods	Based on concentration control, emphasizing discharge standards	Based on ecosystem management, emphasizing comprehensive methods	Based on TMDL plan, emphasizing total amount control	Based on water quality objectives, emphasizing comprehensive treatment
Implementation Effect	Clear standards, easy to implement, but lack of ecological assessment	Systematic and comprehensive, but difficult to implement	Clear objectives, strict implementation, but lack of flexibility	Combined with national conditions, focusing on practicality, but low degree of internationalization

Advantages and Disadvantages:

• China Advantages: Complete standard system; Clear indicators; Easy to implement; Suitable for China's national conditions
• China Disadvantages: Lack of ecological assessment indicators; Standards update relatively slowly; Insufficient consideration of regional differences; Implementation needs to be strengthened
• EU Advantages: Systematic and comprehensive; Advanced ecological concepts; Emphasize integrated management; Focus on long-term sustainability
• EU Disadvantages: Difficult to implement; High cost; High requirements for management capabilities; Lack of flexibility
• US Advantages: Clear objectives; Strict implementation; Focus on public health; Strong flexibility
• US Disadvantages: Lack of ecological assessment indicators; Insufficient consideration of regional differences; Complex total amount control implementation
• Japan Advantages: Combined with national conditions; Focus on practicality; Perfect management system; Strong implementation
• Japan Disadvantages: Low degree of internationalization; Standards update relatively slowly; Lack of innovation (13)

IV. Innovative Technology and Experience Summary

4.1 Technological Innovation and Integrated Application

During the Maizhou River treatment process, in response to special conditions such as high-density built-up areas and tidal reaches, a series of new technologies and processes were innovatively applied, forming a characteristic treatment technology system (8).

4.1.1 Key Technological Innovations

正本清源 Technology Innovation:

• Precision Investigation Technology: Developed the "one building, one file" precision investigation method, improving the discovery rate of rain-sewage mixing points
• Intelligent Diagnosis Technology: Integrated advanced technologies such as 3D laser scanning and boat-borne CCTV, developed intelligent detection robots suitable for hidden danger investigation in culverts and tunnels
• Efficient Transformation Technology: Developed targeted transformation technologies for different building types, improving transformation efficiency and effect (7)

Sediment Treatment Technology Innovation:

• High-efficiency Dewatering Technology: Innovatively developed a new urban sludge dewatering technology of "urban sludge concentration - green wall-breaking conditioning - deep dewatering"
• Heavy Metal Passivation Technology: Contaminant efficient removal technology based on chelating agents and polymer composite materials
• Resource Utilization Technology: Developed dewatered sludge ceramic technology, realizing resource utilization of sediment (8)

Smart Water Technology Innovation:

• Engineering Management and Control Platform: Developed an engineering management and control information platform covering urban river hydrological and water quality monitoring and early warning, construction site video monitoring, construction progress control, project safety and emergency management
• Internet of Things Technology Application: Utilized modern information technologies such as IoT, GIS+BIM to achieve grid management of engineering construction and real-time monitoring and management of water conditions and water quality
• Intelligent Decision Support System: Developed an intelligent decision support system based on big data and artificial intelligence, providing scientific basis for treatment decisions (7)

4.1.2 Technology Integration Application

Whole Process Technology Integration:

• Whole process technology integration from source control (正本清源) to process blocking (pipe network construction) to end treatment (sewage treatment)
• Full chain technology integration from endogenous treatment (sediment treatment) to ecological restoration (water quality improvement) to landscape construction (greenway construction) (8)

Multi-professional Technology Integration:

• Integrated application of multi-professional technologies such as hydraulic engineering, environmental engineering, municipal engineering, and ecological engineering
• Comprehensive technology integration combining engineering measures, ecological measures and management measures (7)

Intelligent Technology Integration:

• Integrated application of new generation information technologies such as IoT, big data, artificial intelligence and traditional hydraulic technologies
• Integrated integration of monitoring, control and decision-making functions, realizing intelligent management of Maizhou River treatment (8)

4.1.3 Innovation Achievement Application

The innovative technology achievements of Maizhou River treatment have been applied in multiple projects:

• Urban Sludge Industrialized Treatment and Resource Regeneration Technologyhas been applied in Shenzhen Maizhou River Basin (Bao'an District) Water Environment Comprehensive Treatment Project, Foshan Chencun Water Environment Renewable Resources Treatment Station, Fuzhou Guangming Port Dredging Project and other engineering projects.
• Maizhou River Water Environment Treatment Technology Systemhas been applied in multiple basin comprehensive treatment projects such as Shenzhen Longgang River, Guanlan River, Dongguan Shima River, etc., having good promotion and application prospects for urban river water environment treatment.
• Smart Water Management Platformhas been promoted and applied in multiple water conservancy projects in Shenzhen, improving the intelligent level of water conservancy management. (7)

4.2 Management Model Innovation

During the Maizhou River treatment process, various management models were innovated, providing important guarantees for the smooth implementation of the project (8).

4.2.1 Engineering Management Model Innovation

Large Army Operation Mode:

• In response to the characteristics of large 工程量 (engineering quantity), tight time schedule and heavy tasks in Maizhou River treatment, Shenzhen adopted the "large army operation" mode, organizing multiple large enterprises to form a water treatment army, operating in coordination
• Breaking the conventional division of bid sections, conducting overall planning and implementation according to river basins and regions, improving overall efficiency
• Establishing a unified coordination mechanism to strengthen communication and collaboration among various participating units, forming work synergy (7)

EPC General Contracting Mode:

• Adopting the Design-Procurement-Construction (EPC) general contracting mode, integrating design, procurement, construction and other links, with the general contractor being fully responsible for project quality, safety, schedule and cost
• Reducing the owner's management and coordination workload, improving engineering construction efficiency
• Benefiting the general contractor to give full play to technical and management advantages, optimizing design and construction plans (8)

Whole Process Consultation Mode:

• Introducing whole process engineering consultation services to provide whole process and all-round intellectual support for project decision-making, implementation and operation
• Giving full play to the professional advantages of consulting units, improving the scientific nature of project decision-making and the standardization of implementation
• Strengthening project risk management and investment control, improving the overall benefits of the project (7)

4.2.2 Water Environment Management Model Innovation

River Chief System Management Model:

• Fully implementing the River Chief System, with party and government leaders at all levels serving as river chiefs, responsible for organizing and leading the management and protection of corresponding rivers and lakes
• Establishing a four-level river chief system of city, district, subdistrict and community, achieving full coverage of river chiefs
• Defining the responsibilities of river chiefs, establishing a river chief assessment mechanism, ensuring the implementation of the River Chief System (8)

Factory-Pipe Network-River Integrated Management Model:

• Unifying wastewater treatment plants, pipe network systems and river management, achieving integrated management
• Establishing a coordination mechanism to coordinate the relationship between wastewater treatment plant operation, pipe network maintenance and river treatment
• Realizing whole process management from source to end, improving water environment management efficiency (7)

Professional Drainage into Community Model:

• Introducing professional drainage management into communities, having professional institutions conduct professional management of community drainage facilities
• Establishing a regular inspection, maintenance and renewal mechanism for drainage facilities, ensuring the normal operation of the drainage system
• Strengthening supervision of community drainage behavior, preventing random discharge (8)

4.2.3 Public Participation Model Innovation

Civilian River Chief Model:

• Establishing a "civilian river chief" team composed of environmental protection volunteers, deputies to the people's congress, members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, etc., participating in river supervision and protection work
• Establishing an interaction mechanism between "civilian river chiefs" and official river chiefs, forming a river treatment pattern with the participation of the whole society
• Organizing "civilian river chiefs" to regularly carry out river patrol and protection activities, promptly discovering and reporting problems (7)

Water Treatment Supervision Team Model:

• Composed of deputies to the people's congress and members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference as a water treatment supervision team, supervising and evaluating water treatment work
• Establishing a problem reporting and handling mechanism, promptly transferring discovered problems to relevant government departments for handling
• Organizing unannounced visits to urge the implementation of water treatment work (8)

Water Affairs Experience Activity Model:

• Organizing citizens to participate in water affairs experience activities, such as visiting wastewater treatment plants and participating in river cleaning
• Carrying out water affairs knowledge popularization activities to improve citizens' awareness of water environment protection
• Establishing a citizen opinion feedback mechanism to encourage citizens to offer suggestions for water treatment work (7)

4.3 Experience Summary and Enlightenment

The successful implementation of the Maizhou River treatment project provides valuable experience for urban black and odorous water body treatment and water environment comprehensive treatment in China (8).

4.3.1 Main Experience

High-level Promotion and Up-down Linkage:

• The Central Environmental Protection Supervision Team and relevant national ministries and commissions have repeatedly supervised the Maizhou River treatment, providing a strong driving force for the treatment work
• The Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee personally oversaw the Maizhou River, conducting five investigations and supervision, ensuring the high-level advancement of the treatment work
• The Secretary of the Shenzhen Municipal Party Committee served as the Maizhou River Chief, taking the lead in shouldering the heaviest burden, requiring that "not even a palm-sized black and odorous water body can exist" (7)

Systematic Treatment and Comprehensive Measures:

• Adhering to the systematic treatment concept of "coordinating land and water, attaching equal importance to mud and water, and combining construction and management"
• Coordinating the advancement of 正本清源，pipe network construction, sewage treatment, sediment treatment, ecological restoration and other tasks
• Comprehensively using engineering measures, management measures and ecological measures to form treatment synergy (8)

Precision Pollution Control and Scientific Measures:

• Thoroughly analyzing the causes of pollution, identifying the crux of the problem, and implementing precise treatment
• Adopting differentiated treatment measures for different river sections and pollution sources
• Strengthening scientific and technological support, focusing on technological innovation, improving the scientific nature and effectiveness of treatment (7)

Diversified Investment and Strong Guarantee:

• Increasing financial investment to provide funding guarantees for treatment work
• Innovating investment and financing models to attract social capital to participate in water treatment
• Establishing a diversified investment mechanism to ensure sufficient treatment funds (8)

Equal Importance to Construction and Management, Long-term Management:

• Adhering to the equal importance of construction and management, avoiding reconstruction and light management
• Establishing and improving long-term management mechanisms to ensure the continuous consolidation of treatment results
• Strengthening supervision and law enforcement, severely punishing environmental violations (7)

4.3.2 Enlightenment and Reference

Enlightenment One: Adhere to Ecological Priority and Green Development

The practice of Maizhou River treatment has proved that it is necessary to adhere to the concept of ecological priority and green development, organically combining water environment treatment with urban development and industrial upgrading, and achieving harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. It is necessary to promote industrial structure adjustment and urban space optimization through water treatment, and promote the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development. (8)

Enlightenment Two: Strengthen Coordination and Form Synergy

Water environment treatment is a systematic project that requires close cooperation among various departments and regions to form work synergy. It is necessary to establish and improve cross-departmental and cross-regional coordination mechanisms, coordinate the advancement of various tasks, and avoid working in isolation and hindering each other. (7)

Enlightenment Three: Focus on Technological Innovation and Improve Efficiency

Technological innovation is an important support for improving the efficiency of water environment treatment. It is necessary to increase investment in scientific and technological research and development, strengthen research on key technologies, promote the application of advanced and applicable technologies, and improve the precision and effectiveness of treatment. (8)

Enlightenment Four: Encourage Public Participation and Build Together and Share

Water environment treatment requires the 共同参与 (joint participation) of the whole society. It is necessary to establish and improve a public participation mechanism, encourage the public to participate in supervision, evaluation and decision-making, and form a 多元共治 (pluralistic co-governance) pattern with government leadership, corporate responsibility, and participation of social organizations and the public. (7)

Enlightenment Five: Improve Regulatory Standards and Strengthen Supervision

Improved regulatory standards and strict supervision and law enforcement are important guarantees for water environment treatment. It is necessary to accelerate the improvement of relevant laws, regulations and standards systems, strengthen the construction of supervision and law enforcement capabilities, severely punish environmental violations, and provide a solid guarantee for water environment treatment. (8)

V. Future Outlook

5.1 Follow-up Treatment Plan

Although significant achievements have been made in the Maizhou River treatment, some challenges still exist, requiring further 深化治理 (deepening governance) (7).

5.1.1 Short-term Treatment Plan (2025-2027)

Water Quality Improvement Project:

• Continue to promote the upgrading of sewage treatment plants to further improve effluent quality
• Improve the initial rainwater interception system and expand the scope of initial rainwater collection
• Implement river water quality improvement projects to improve the water quality of tributaries (8)

Ecological Restoration Project:

• Continue to promote greenway construction and improve the riverside ecological corridor
• Strengthen the construction of aquatic ecosystems and improve biodiversity
• Implement wetland construction projects to enhance water self-purification capacity (7)

Smart Water Project:

• Improve the water quality monitoring network and enhance monitoring capabilities and levels
• Build a smart water management platform to achieve intelligent water management
• Promote the application of new technologies such as IoT and big data to improve management efficiency (8)

5.1.2 Medium and Long-term Treatment Plan (2028-2035)

Basin Comprehensive Treatment:

• Implement comprehensive basin system treatment, considering the upstream and downstream, left and right banks, main streams and tributaries as a whole
• Strengthen the coordinated treatment of water resources, water environment, water ecology and water safety
• Promote the pilot construction of comprehensive basin treatment and sustainable development (7)

Ecosystem Restoration:

• Implement the integrity restoration project of river ecosystem
• Restore the natural form and ecological functions of rivers
• Build a healthy and stable aquatic ecosystem (8)

Harmonious City Construction between Humans and Water:

• Promote the improvement of waterfront space quality, creating livable, business-friendly and tourist-friendly urban environments
• Promote the inheritance and innovation of water culture, enhancing the cultural heritage of the city
• Promote the formation of green and low-carbon production and lifestyle (7)

5.2 Development Trends and Suggestions

5.2.1 Water Environment Treatment Development Trends

From Single Treatment to Systemic Treatment:

• Water environment treatment will shift from single pollution source treatment to whole basin, whole element and whole process systemic treatment
• Emphasize the coordinated treatment of water resources, water environment, water ecology, water safety and water culture
• Focus on the coordinated development of natural ecosystems and social and economic systems (8)

From Engineering Treatment to Ecological Treatment:

• Water environment treatment will shift from engineering measures-based to ecological measures-based
• Emphasize the combination of natural restoration and artificial repair
• Focus on giving play to the self-repair ability of ecosystems (7)

From Extensive Management to Precise Management:

• Water environment treatment will shift from extensive management to refined and precise management
• Emphasize smart management based on big data, artificial intelligence and other new technologies
• Focus on the precise assessment and dynamic adjustment of treatment effects (8)

From Government-led to Multi-governance:

• Water environment treatment will shift from government-led to a multi-governance model with the joint participation of government, enterprises, social organizations and the public
• Emphasize the role of market mechanisms and social forces
• Focus on building a co-construction, co-governance and shared governance pattern (7)

5.2.2 Policy Recommendations

Improve Regulatory Standard System:

• Accelerate the revision and improvement of water environment-related laws and regulations, providing legal guarantees for water environment treatment
• Improve water environment quality standards and pollutant discharge standards, improving the scientific nature and applicability of standards
• Establish and improve water environment treatment technical specifications and evaluation standards, standardizing treatment behavior (8)

Innovative Institutional Mechanisms:

• Establish and improve a basin-coordinated, regionally collaborative water environment treatment system
• Improve the river chief system, strengthen the responsibilities of river chiefs, and improve the ability of river chiefs to perform their duties
• Innovate investment and financing mechanisms to guide social capital to participate in water environment treatment (7)

Strengthen Scientific and Technological Support:

• Increase investment in scientific and technological research and development, strengthen research on key water environment treatment technologies
• Establish and improve the water environment treatment technology innovation system, promote industry-university-research collaborative innovation
• Promote the application of advanced and applicable technologies, improve the scientific level of treatment (8)

Strengthen International Cooperation:

• Actively participate in global water environment governance, learn from international advanced experience
• Strengthen cooperation with international organizations and institutions to jointly address global water environment problems
• Promote international exchanges and cooperation on water environment treatment technologies, standards and management experience (7)

5.2.3 Technical Recommendations

Strengthen Source Reduction Technology Research and Development:

• Strengthen the research and development of low-impact development technologies to reduce non-point source pollution
• Develop and promote clean production technologies to reduce industrial pollution emissions
• Research and apply domestic waste classification and resource utilization technologies to reduce domestic waste pollution (8)

Promote Resource Recycling Technology:

• Develop reclaimed water utilization technology for wastewater treatment plants to improve water resource utilization efficiency
• Research and develop sludge reduction, harmless and resource treatment technologies to achieve comprehensive utilization of sludge
• Develop initial rainwater resource utilization technology to achieve effective utilization of rainwater resources (7)

Develop Smart Water Technology:

• Research and apply new technologies such as IoT, big data and artificial intelligence to improve water environment monitoring, early warning and management capabilities
• Develop water environment models and decision support systems to provide scientific basis for treatment decisions
• Build smart water management platforms to achieve intelligent and refined water management (8)

Innovative Ecological Restoration Technology:

• Research and apply ecologically friendly revetment technologies to improve river ecological environment
• Develop aquatic plant restoration technology to improve water self-purification capacity
• Research and apply biological manipulation technology to regulate the structure and function of aquatic ecosystems (7)

VI. Conclusion

The Maizhou River treatment project is a model of urban black and odorous water body treatment in China. Through systematic treatment and comprehensive measures, it has achieved a transformation from "pollution treatment" to "ecological restoration" and then to "beautiful river lake", becoming a vivid case of urban river ecological restoration (8).

Treatment Achievements are Remarkable:

• Water quality has improved significantly: The ammonia nitrogen concentration at the Gonghecun section of the Maizhou River decreased from 23.33mg/L at the end of 2015 to 0.71mg/L in January 2025, and the total phosphorus concentration decreased from 3.05mg/L to 0.18mg/L, reaching the Class IV surface water standard.
• Black and odorous water has been basically eliminated: The remediation effect of 40 black and odorous water bodies in the basin is stable, and the black and odorous phenomenon has been basically eliminated.
• Ecosystem has recovered: Aquatic plants, fish and other biodiversity have significantly increased, and ecosystem functions have gradually recovered.
• Flood control capacity has been improved: The flood control standard has been increased to once-in-a-century level, ensuring urban flood control safety.
• Urban quality has been improved: Through greenway construction, high-quality waterfront spaces have been created, improving the urban environmental quality. (7)

Technological Innovation is Prominent:

• Innovatively developed a water environment treatment technology system for high-density built-up areas and tidal reaches
• Developed key technologies and complete sets of equipment for industrialized treatment of river sediment pollution
• Integrated and applied advanced technologies such as 3D laser scanning and intelligent detection robots
• Established the Maizhou River water environment treatment engineering management and control platform (8)

Management Model Innovation:

• Innovated engineering management models such as "large army operation", EPC general contracting, and whole process consultation
• Implemented water environment management models such as river chief system, factory-pipe network-river integration, and professional drainage into communities
• Established public participation models such as civilian river chiefs, water treatment supervision teams, and water affairs experience activities (7)

Experience and Enlightenment are Rich:

• Adhering to high-level promotion and up-down linkage is an important guarantee for the success of treatment work
• Adhering to systematic treatment and comprehensive measures is the key to improving treatment effectiveness
• Adhering to precise pollution control and scientific measures is an important method to ensure treatment effects
• Adhering to diversified investment and strong guarantee is the foundation for the smooth implementation of treatment work
• Adhering to equal importance of construction and management and long-term management is an effective way to consolidate treatment results (8)

The successful practice of Maizhou River treatment not only improves the urban water environment quality and enhances the urban quality, but also provides valuable experience for urban black and odorous water body treatment in China. In the future, with the implementation of follow-up treatment plans and continuous innovation of treatment technologies, the Maizhou River will further achieve harmony between humans and water, becoming an important window to showcase the achievements of ecological civilization construction. (7)

参考资料

[1] Water Treatment Plant for the Maasvlakte Power Plant the Netherlands https://pwt.de/en/magazin/flue-gas-washing-water-treatment-plant-for-the-maasvlakte-power-plant-3-mpp3/

[2] Energy neutral wastewater treatment plant - BESIX Watpac https://besixwatpac.com/projects/water-infrastructure/hertogenbosch-wastewater-treatment-plant

[3] Consortium testing water tech in Netherlands | Aquatech https://www.aquatechtrade.com/news/wastewater/regain-consortium-to-test-three-water-treatment-technologies

[4] Home - Aerobic granular sludge technology | Haskoning https://nereda.royalhaskoningdhv.com/

[5] 生态环境保护督察视角下的茅洲河治理- 广东省生态环境厅公众网 https://gdee.gd.gov.cn/ztzl_13387/gjjzds/content/post_3165828.html

[6] 广东省水利厅 - 人民日报:茅洲河之变——从末端截污到流域统筹、系统治理，深圳最大河流告别黑臭茅洲河之变 http://slt.gd.gov.cn/zhyw/content/post_3125675.html

[7] 《茅洲河流域水污染物排放标准》解读_东莞市人民政府门户网站 https://www.dg.gov.cn/zwgk/jdhy/zcjd/szfjqbm/content/post_358498.html

[8] 斩除“黑龙” 岸绿河清——深圳茅洲河的蝶变之路 https://meeb.sz.gov.cn/isz/hbxw/content/post_9958538.html

[9] 打卡高颜值的茅洲河碧道（光明段）-抖音 https://www.iesdouyin.com/share/video/6939449902623657256/?did=MS4wLjABAAAANwkJuWIRFOzg5uCpDRpMj4OX-QryoDgn-yYlXQnRwQQ&from_aid=1128&from_ssr=1&iid=MS4wLjABAAAANwkJuWIRFOzg5uCpDRpMj4OX-QryoDgn-yYlXQnRwQQ&mid=6939449930029255460&region=&scene_from=dy_open_search_video&share_sign=go1BVM8tzaFhcdq1Xhgc.On2FNDdN2.fb1BHoXjKToE-&share_version=280700&titleType=title&ts=1752371738&u_code=0&video_share_track_ver=&with_sec_did=1

[10] 深圳茅州河治理2-抖音 https://www.iesdouyin.com/share/video/7100060646959516968/?did=MS4wLjABAAAANwkJuWIRFOzg5uCpDRpMj4OX-QryoDgn-yYlXQnRwQQ&from_aid=1128&from_ssr=1&iid=MS4wLjABAAAANwkJuWIRFOzg5uCpDRpMj4OX-QryoDgn-yYlXQnRwQQ&mid=7100061066566175495&region=&scene_from=dy_open_search_video&share_sign=aR.dcE8rdFaeztHe1RxdeAmZBqsa3qHGaLYhJQMv3O4-&share_version=280700&titleType=title&ts=1752371738&u_code=0&video_share_track_ver=&with_sec_did=1

[11] EU Revamps Wastewater Rules for 2025 https://revolve.media/insights/eu-revamps-wastewater-rules-for-2025

[12] Wastewater regulations European industrial dischargers need to know about in 2025 | Water Technology https://www.watertechonline.com/wastewater/article/55268415/aquacycl-wastewater-regulations-european-industrial-dischargers-need-to-know-about-in-2025

[13] Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive: A Guide for EU Utilities https://www.cambi.com/blog/urban-wastewater-treatment-directive

[14] New EU rules to improve urban wastewater treatment and reuse | News | European Parliament https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20240408IPR20307/

[15] New rules for urban wastewater management set to enter into force - European Commission https://environment.ec.europa.eu/news/new-rules-urban-wastewater-management-set-enter-force-2024-12-20_en

[16] EPA Proposes Improved Water Pollution Control Standards for Slaughterhouses and Rendering Facilities | Food & Water Watch https://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/2023/12/15/epa-proposes-improved-water-pollution-control-standards-for-slaughterhouses-and-rendering-facilities/

[17] National Standards for Decentralized Wastewater Treatment | US EPA https://www.epa.gov/septic/national-standards-decentralized-wastewater-treatment

[18] EPA Will Revise Wastewater Regulations for Oil and Gas Extraction to Help Unleash American Energy (ELGs: Oil and Gas) | US EPA https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-will-revise-wastewater-regulations-oil-and-gas-extraction-help-unleash-american

[19] Municipal Wastewater | US EPA https://www.epa.gov/npdes/municipal-wastewater

[20] Learn about Effluent Guidelines | US EPA https://www.epa.gov/eg/learn-about-effluent-guidelines

[21] EPA Finalized New Wastewater Treatment Standards for Coal-fired Power Plants - Earthjustice https://earthjustice.org/experts/thomas-cmar/new-wastewater-treatment-standards-for-coal-fired-power-plants

[22] EPA to propose requiring Wrangell wastewater plant to disinfect sewage discharges | US EPA https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-propose-requiring-wrangell-wastewater-plant-disinfect-sewage-discharges

[23] Effluent Guidelines | US EPA https://www.epa.gov/eg

[24] Room for the River Programme | Dutch Water Sector https://www.dutchwatersector.com/news/room-for-the-river-programme

[25] CATALYST PLANET - How the Dutch are Creating “Room for the River” https://www.catalystplanet.com/travel-and-social-action-stories/2018/8/9/how-the-dutch-are-creating-room-for-the-river-m7e2l

[26] 'Room for the River', Netherlands - Mott MacDonald https://www.mottmac.com/article/2362/room-for-the-river-netherlands

[27] (PDF) Room for the River, project examples https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317824058_Room_for_the_River_project_examples

[28] Netherlands’ ‘Room for the River’ project | Dutch Government's Project https://diligentias.com/netherlands-room-for-the-river-project/

[29] Room for the River, Nijmegen by H+N+S Landscape Architects « Landscape Architecture Platform | Landezine https://landezine.com/room-for-the-river-nijmegen-by-hns-landscape-architects/

[30] Room for the River – urbanNext https://urbannext.net/room-for-the-river/

[31] eCFR :: 40 CFR 421.302 -- Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best practicable control technology currently available. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-N/part-421/subpart-AB/section-421.302

[32] eCFR :: 40 CFR 421.222 -- Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best practicable control technology currently available. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-N/part-421/subpart-T/section-421.222

[33] U.S. EPA’s Preliminary Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 16 - ALL4 https://www.all4inc.com/4-the-record-articles/u-s-epas-preliminary-effluent-guidelines-program-plan-16/

[34] eCFR :: 40 CFR 421.282 -- Effluent limitations guidelines representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best practicable control technology currently available. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-N/part-421/subpart-Z/section-421.282

[35] Legal provisions of COM(2022)541 - Urban wastewater treatment (recast) - EU monitor https://www.eumonitor.eu/9353000/1/j4nvhdfcs8bljza_j9vvik7m1c3gyxp/vlxjmg98x5wm

[36] EU Tightens Urban Wastewater Treatment Rules to Control Hazardous Substances - Foresight https://www.useforesight.io/news/eu-tightens-urban-wastewater-treatment-rules-to-control-hazardous-substances

[37] Europe strengthens rules on urban wastewater treatment – Euractiv https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy-environment/news/europe-strengthens-rules-on-urban-wastewater-treatment/

[38] EU introduces stricter requirements for the treatment of municipal wastewater https://www.britishwaterfilter.com/eu-introduces-stricter-requirements-for-the-treatment-of-municipal-wastewater/

[39] Industrial Wastewater Discharge Limits and Requirements - LiqTech https://liqtech.com/systems/industrial-wastewater/industrial-wastewater-discharge-limits-and-requirements/

[40] Riviera - News Content Hub - Euopean countries target shipping wastewater discharge with new regulations https://www.rivieramm.com/news-content-hub/euopean-countries-target-shipping-wastewater-discharge-with-new-regulations-85344

[41] Water Regulation (Also) Affects Pharmaceutical Companies https://www.taylorwessing.com/en/insights-and-events/insights/2024/08/new-eu-urban-wastewater-directive