The Law is divided into eight Chapters: General provisions (I); Standards and planning for the prevention and control of water pollution (II); Supervision and administration of the prevention and control of water pollution (III); Measures for the prevention and control of water pollution (IV); Protection of drinkable water sources and other special waters (V); Management of water pollution accidents (VI); Legal liability (VII); Supplementary provisions (VIII).
This Law aims at protecting and improving the environment, preventing and controlling water pollution, protecting water ecology, guaranteeing the safety of drinking water, protecting the health of the public, promoting the construction of ecological civilization, and promoting the sustainable economic and social development. According to the provisions of this Law, said authorities shall also, in the process of developing, utilizing, regulating and allocating water resources, make integrated and rational plans for the purpose of: (a) maintaining proper river flows, proper water levels of lakes and reservoirs and proper groundwater tables; (b) protecting urban water sources, preventing and controlling urban water pollution; (c) controlling the placement of industry; (d) designating protected zones; (e) controlling the direct or indirect discharge of pollutants into water bodies. Similar provisions are made with respect to the prevention of surface water and groundwater pollution. A province, city, county or township shall establish a river chief system, and organize and lead such work as the water resource protection of rivers and lakes, administration of waters and bank lines, prevention and control of water pollution, and governance of water environment within its administrative region by degree and section. State quality standards of water environment and for the discharge of water pollutants shall be established at the central and local level by the competent authorities. The state shall implement the rules for the control of total discharge of major water pollutants and establish rules for the monitoring of water environment quality and monitoring of water pollutant discharge. Discharge of water pollutants shall be within the state or local standards for the discharge of water pollutants and indicators for the total discharge control of major water pollutants. In addition, the Law makes provisions on pollutant discharge licenses, combating illegal sewage discharge and data counterfeiting, operation of urban sewage treatment plants, prevention and control of livestock and poultry pollution, protection and management of drinking water sources, offences and penalties, etc.