International Annual Workshop in Beijing

The 2015 annual workshop of the project was held in Beijing under the title: Strategies for Management and Control of Overpumped Aquifers. 40 participants from China, Switzerland, the US, Italy and Iran presented their research and experience. The role of smart metering was illustrated by one of China’s first successful groundwater control projects in Qingxu, Shanxi province and the Iranian experience, where more than 50’000 smart meters have been installed on the basis of a law. The connection to economics was underlined by international Expert Nic Brozovic. The Hebei experience shows that changes in the cropping system are an essential element in coming to grips with over-exploitation. On the other hand nobody wants to restore Heibei’s high groundwater levels of 40 years ago, which led to wide spread salinization due to phreatic evaporation. The exchange of experience was highly appreciated by all participants. The international participants had the opportunity to see the project’s progress during a two day excursion to Guantao county in Handan region.