These Regulations aim to strengthen the protection of drinking water sources, ensure the safety of drinking water, maintain public health and promote sustainable economic and social development. The Regulations contain 43 Articles divided into 6 Chapters: General Provisions; Delineation of drinking water source protection areas; Protection of drinking water sources; Supervision and administration; Legal liabilities; Supplementary provisions.
A drinking water source protection area is divided into primary protection area and secondary protection area; if necessary, certain area can be designated as quasi-protection area on the periphery of drinking water source protection area. The delineation of drinking water source protection areas shall be subjuct to the approval of people's government of the autonomous region. Drinking water should be arranged in a unified manner to withdraw from surface water and groundwater, and to ensure that high-quality water is preferentially used for drinking by urban and rural residents.