In a world where the climate crisis is redefining the resource economy and water security has become the cornerstone of sustainable development, the Beijing Fangshan Dingjiawa Water Plant Project stands as a visionary solution to an unavoidable global challenge. More than half of the world’s major cities face severe water stress, and in China, aquifer overexploitation has reached critical levels, endangering both production and the quality of life for millions of people. In southwest Beijing, the Fangshan district faced annual declines of up to one meter in groundwater levels, causing soil degradation and the gradual collapse of its ecosystems. In this context, Dingjiawa represents a turning point: an infrastructure capable of supplying 340,000 m³ per day, equivalent to the daily consumption of 800,000 inhabitants, by harnessing sustainable surface sources such as the South-to-North Water Diversion Project and the Zhangfang Reservoir.
This initiative not only replaces dependence on groundwater but drives a transition toward a regenerative, intelligent, and circular water model. Its strategic goal is to ensure Beijing’s water resilience, reduce pressure on aquifers, and guarantee a stable, efficient, and traceable supply over time. With an initial operating phase of 220,000 m³ per day and advanced purification technology, the plant redefines urban water management through innovation, energy efficiency, and shared governance.
Approved in June 2025, the project is being developed under a strategic alliance between the Fangshan District Government, the Beijing Water Authority, and the Municipal Water Group, demonstrating how public–private collaboration can materialize large-scale sustainable solutions. Its purpose goes beyond engineering: it seeks to restore the balance of the hydrological cycle and return recharge capacity to local aquifers. Aligned with the principles of additionality, traceability, and intentionality of the Volumetric Water Benefit Accounting (VWBA 2.0) framework, the project achieves a Positive Water Index of +1.18, meaning that every cubic meter treated returns more water to the basin than is extracted.
The project addresses a structural technical and environmental issue: 83% of Fangshan’s supply came from groundwater, causing piezometric declines of 0.8–1 m/year, deterioration of quality, and service vulnerability. The opportunity lies in transitioning to a safe surface water supply, with digital control of quality and flow, reducing pressure on aquifers and stabilizing the urban system. Located in southwest Beijing, the plant employs a multi-stage treatment train (coagulation–sedimentation–filtration–ozone–activated carbon–ultrafiltration–UV/chlorine) with a total capacity of 340,000 m³/d (Phase I: 220,000 m³/d).
The transformation occurs on two fronts: (i) reducing groundwater extraction by more than 8 million m³/year and (ii) producing potable water with full traceability for priority urban demand. Immediate benefits include lower emissions (–2,000 t CO₂/year via energy efficiency and mini-hydropower), restoration of the water balance (piezometric recovery of 0.3–0.5 m/year), and replacement of chemical inputs through digital optimization. Key actors include the Beijing Water Authority (developer), the Fangshan Government (territorial coordination), the Municipal Water Group (operator), and technology providers specializing in automation and sensors. The model is replicable due to its modularity, compliance with GB 5749-2022 quality standards, and digital architecture. Acting now is critical to prevent projected 25% deficits by 2030. Companies with ESG agendas (utilities, food & beverage, energy, real estate) gain compliance, visibility, and competitive differentiation aligned with emerging regulations.
The intervention is hybrid (grey + digital). The multi-stage ultrafiltration process was selected for its robustness against turbidity and organic load variability, following evaluation of conventional rapid filtration and MBR alternatives. Capacity: 340,000 m³/d (Phase I: 220,000 m³/d) for over 600,000 users. Instrumentation includes electromagnetic flow meters, pressure gauges, multiparameter probes (pH, turbidity, conductivity, residual chlorine), TOC analyzers, accredited laboratory equipment, and IoT sensor integration into SCADA/digital twin systems.
Technically and strategically, the solution addresses overexploitation, quality loss, and operational risk of supply; it suits the Dashi Basin’s hydrological context (seasonal variability, need for resilience) and meets criteria of efficiency, cost-effectiveness, impact, regulatory compliance, and replicability. Linkage with Water Positive and VWBA ensures additionality (new source and real reduction in pumping), traceability (physical and digital flow from intake to network), and intentionality (quantified and verifiable targets).
Expected benefits (outputs/outcomes/impacts): water recovery >8 million m³/year; internal efficiency >95%; +10% improvement in raw water use; reduction of nitrates, TSS, and coliforms to GB 5749-2022 compliance; –2.5 GWh/year and –2,000 t CO₂/year; co-benefits in public health and urban resilience.
Risks and mitigations include: (i) technological failures → N+1 redundancies, critical spares, predictive maintenance; (ii) hydrological variability → digital twin modeling, flexible operation protocols, reserve capacity; (iii) social acceptance → communication and technical visit programs; (iv) high raw water variability → ozone/carbon bypass and dosage adjustment; (v) extreme events → climate contingency plans and coordination with basin authorities.
The project follows a phased, adaptive implementation combining technical rigor, digital control, and shared governance. Five sequential stages ensure precision, efficiency, and verified results. Phase 1, diagnosis and design (0–6 months), establishes the hydrological and environmental baseline through modeling and comparative analyses. Key performance indicators (KPIs) for quality, flow, energy, and emissions are defined, alongside risk evaluation and mitigation planning.
Phase 2, engineering and planning (6–14 months), develops the detailed design, procurement, and equipment selection, ensuring compatibility with the process train and IoT/SCADA architecture. After evaluating alternatives, the chosen multi-stage ultrafiltration system was selected for robustness, energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Phase 3, construction and installation (14–24 months), involves civil works, interconnection with Zhangfang and South–North networks, and installation of monitoring instruments. The digital twin and SCADA system manage real-time parameters: flow, pressure, energy, turbidity, residual chlorine, and output quality.
Phase 4, commissioning and validation (24–28 months), includes performance tests and comparison between with- and without-project scenarios. Results are documented under VWBA 2.0 to verify additionality and traceability. External certification and fine-tuning follow before transition to continuous operation. Phase 5, steady operation (28+ months), focuses on preventive and predictive maintenance, monthly reporting, biannual verification, and ongoing KPI review.
The monitoring system relies on IoT sensors, TOC analyzers, and multiparameter probes, integrated with SCADA software that issues automatic alerts for deviations in turbidity, chlorine, pressure, or energy. The baseline, based on historical series and field data, establishes pre-project water quantity, quality, losses, and emissions. KPIs are measured before, during, and after implementation, with hourly, daily, or monthly frequencies. Flows are tracked end-to-end, from source to distribution, with digital monitoring and georeferencing. Reports are externally audited and cross-checked against Beijing Water Authority records.
Project governance follows a cooperative model: the Water Authority acts as mandator and verifier; the Municipal Water Group operates the plant; the Fangshan Government coordinates territorial management; an independent verifier conducts annual audits; and the community participates through communication and technical visits. Water-use agreements prioritize human consumption and include contingency protocols and a full operation and maintenance manual.
The continuous improvement system integrates VWBA/WQBA platforms with regular data reviews. Performance reports measure m³ saved, regenerated, or quality-improved, as well as pollutants removed and emissions avoided. Feedback and technology updates refine efficiency and ensure that environmental, social, and economic benefits endure over time.
The Beijing Fangshan Dingjiawa Water Plant Project is a comprehensive hydrological intervention replacing unsustainable groundwater extraction with a secure surface supply managed through advanced technology and full traceability. The main intervention involves capturing, purifying, and distributing surface water via a multi-stage treatment train combining coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, ozonation, activated carbon, ultrafiltration, and UV-chlorine disinfection. This ensures complete purification with a nominal capacity of 340,000 m³/day and >95% efficiency. All quality parameters are digitally controlled through SCADA and a digital twin, compliant with GB 5749-2022, ISO standards, and WHO recommendations.
The project addresses Beijing’s major water challenge, aquifer overexploitation, causing annual 1 m piezometric decline. Compared to the baseline marked by depletion, vulnerability, and pollution, it establishes a regenerative model managing water as natural capital. It harnesses safe surface sources, stabilizes urban supply, reduces emissions, and restores Dashi Basin’s ecological capacity.
Tangible results include over 8 million m³/year of groundwater preserved, potable water quality, 2.5 GWh/year energy savings, and 2,000 t CO₂ reduction. The project also achieves 0.3–0.5 m/year aquifer recovery, biodiversity gains, public health benefits, and urban ecosystem stabilization.
Strategically, Dingjiawa advances Fangshan’s Water Positive roadmap and enhances Beijing’s global sustainability standing. It delivers ESG value, social license, reputation, differentiation, regulatory compliance, while aligning with the 2030 Agenda, SBTi for Water, NPWI, and ESRS E3 sustainability reporting.
The model is highly replicable across basins and sectors, particularly in semi-arid or industrial regions with structural water stress. Scalability is ensured through technological modularity, public–private governance, and community engagement. Partnerships among governments, operators, and tech companies enable replication in municipal and industrial contexts.
Ultimately, the project restores the Dashi Basin’s water balance, strengthens climate resilience, and creates direct and indirect jobs. It expands access to safe water and rebuilds public trust in resource management. Symbolically and practically, Dingjiawa sends a clear message to investors, authorities, and society: intelligent water infrastructure not only supplies, it regenerates, safeguards value, and redefines the future of sustainable cities.
