中新网：首届中国节水奖颁奖

Core Viewpoint - The first China Water Conservation Award ceremony was held, recognizing 149 advanced collectives and 199 individuals for their contributions to water conservation efforts in China [1][2] Group 1: Award Recognition - The Ministry of Water Resources awarded the "China Water Conservation Award Advanced Collective" title to 149 units, including the Beijing Water Authority [1] - 199 individuals, including Zhu Hua, received the "China Water Conservation Award Advanced Individual" title [1] - 80 representatives from advanced collectives and individuals were present to receive their awards [1] Group 2: Water Conservation Achievements - Since the 18th National Congress, the Ministry of Water Resources has implemented a comprehensive national water conservation action plan, achieving significant results in water savings across various sectors [1] - During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, despite economic growth and increased grain production, the total water usage in China has remained stable, with a zero growth rate [1] - Water usage per unit of GDP and per unit of industrial added value decreased by 17.7% and 23.6% respectively compared to the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan [1] - The effective utilization coefficient of irrigation water in farmland increased from 0.565 to 0.583, and urban public water supply network leakage rates fell below 10% [1] Group 3: Future Challenges and Initiatives - The Minister of Water Resources, Li Guoying, emphasized the ongoing challenges of water resource scarcity amid rapid industrialization and urbanization, indicating that the demand for water resources will continue to grow [2] - The importance of integrating water conservation into all areas of economic and social development was highlighted as a key strategy for promoting green transformation [2] - The China Water Conservation Award will be officially established in December 2024 to honor outstanding contributions in agricultural water savings, industrial water reduction, and urban water loss management, with the award being held every three years [2]