UNDERSTANDING THE WATER CHALLENGE OF JIANGSU PROVINCE: ANALYSIS OF THE WATER FOOTPRINT CHANGES IN JIANGSU PROVINCE DURING 2003-2010

In order to develop a proper method for water management, we must know the water sustainable development status. Therefore, the water footprint, an index reflecting the water consumption was used to analyze the water resource sustainable development status of Jiangsu Province. Results showed that although the average value of water supply surpassed the water requirement during 2003-2010, Jiangsu Province still had the problem of water shortage during the drought years of 2004, 2006 and 2009. 4.5 x 10 super(10)-5.6 x 10 super(10) m super(3) of virtual water in this region was exported through agricultural exports, and the external water dependency of this region was 0. Conflicts between water supply and water requirement will be increased with the increase of population, the development of economy and the urbanization. Therefore, suggestions such as increasing water diversion from Yangze River, collecting and storing the rainfall, carrying out the water saving techniques, treating the wastewater, reducing the virtual water exportation by improving industrial and commercial policies were put forward to decrease the regional water stress. Considering the relatively low virtual water quantity contained in the daily diet of Jiangsu residents and their health, the idea that reducing the water consumption through changing food pattern was not recommended.