Zhangjiagang has explored a sustainable development path for the intensive utilization of water resources through a systematic engineering layout and innovation in market-oriented mechanisms, setting a benchmark for the green transformation of cities along the Yangtze River Economic Belt.
Considering its solid industrial foundation, Zhangjiagang has prioritized the utilization and allocation of recycled water in its industrial concentration zones. Some wastewater treatment plants have been established, expanded, or renovated to ensure that their discharged water meets Class IV standard of the Environmental Quality Standards for Surface Water. Meanwhile, supporting water pipeline systems have been built, enabling precise and efficient water distribution from wastewater treatment plants to key enterprises.
Additionally, Zhangjiagang has established a "centralized pool for water usage quota", wherein recycled water, surface water, and groundwater are given distinct storage and purchase prices. Therefore, given the costs, users will voluntarily opt for recycled water. To date, the pool has amassed 5.32 million metric tons of quotas and has allocated 1.41 million tons on a paid basis.
In 2022, Zhangjiagang was selected as a pilot city for the utilization and allocation of recycled water in China. In 2024, the city's recycled water utilization rate reached 29 percent, increasing by 6.3 percent compared to the pre-pilot period. By the end of 2025, the rate is expected to exceed 31 percent.