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Baseline Survey of Water Stewardship·Shared Value Creation Project

Survey Report

College of Forestry of Guangxi University

2014

Content

1 General Situation of Surveyed Regions ............................................................................................................ 1

2 Survey Purpose .................................................................................................................................................. 3

3 Survey Process, Method and Target .................................................................................................................. 4

3.1 Survey Schedule ............................................................................................................................................. 4

3.2 Survey questionnaire ...................................................................................................................................... 4

3.2.1 Survey on Ecology and Water Usage Safety in the Forest Community ...................................................... 4

3.2.2 Survey on basic village situation ................................................................................................................. 5

3.2.3 Survey on Issues Related with Water Resources ......................................................................................... 6

3.3 Survey Target ................................................................................................................................................. 7

3.3.1 Villagers ...................................................................................................................................................... 7

3.3.2 Government and NGO ................................................................................................................................ 8

3.4 Data analysis method ..................................................................................................................................... 8

4 Survey Result and Analysis of Questionnaire for Villagers .............................................................................. 9

4.1 Basic Information ........................................................................................................................................... 9

4.1.1 Family Composition and Education Level of Surveyed Target ................................................................... 9

4.1.2Family Average Annual Income and its Composition ................................................................................ 15

4.1.3 Land Utilization......................................................................................................................................... 21

4.1.4Use of Fertilizers and Pesticides ................................................................................................................ 25

4.1.5 Living Environment and Conditions ......................................................................................................... 31

4.2 Drinking Water ............................................................................................................................................. 39

4.2.1 Sources of Drinking Water ........................................................................................................................ 39

4.2.2 Quality of Drinking Water ......................................................................................................................... 43

4.2.3 Amount of Drinking Water ........................................................................................................................ 53

4.3 Agricultural Water ........................................................................................................................................ 60

4.3.1 Sources of Agricultural Water ................................................................................................................... 60

4.3.2 Agricultural Irrigation Method and Level ................................................................................................. 64

4.3.3 Quality and Quantity of Agricultural Irrigation Water .............................................................................. 67

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4.4.2 Discharge Destination of Domestic Water ................................................................................................ 77

4.5 Relevant Opinions and Suggestions ............................................................................................................. 80

4.5.1 Level of Satisfaction in Current Living Conditions .................................................................................. 80

4.5.2 Willingness to Improve the Environment .................................................................................................. 83

4.5.3 Reasons for Restricting the Development of Villages ............................................................................... 87

4.5.4 Willingness to Fund Projects that Improve Drinking Conditions and Sewage Treatment ........................ 90

4.5.5 Utilization of Biogas Slurry and Biogas Residue ...................................................................................... 94

4.5.6 Others ........................................................................................................................................................ 99

5 Result of Surveys Targeting Government Authorities ................................................................................... 100

6 Result of Surveys Targeting NGO ................................................................................................................. 101

7 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................................... 102

7.1 Basic Information ....................................................................................................................................... 102

7.2 Drinking Water ........................................................................................................................................... 103

7.3 Water for Agricultural Use ......................................................................................................................... 104

7.4 Household Sewage ..................................................................................................................................... 104

7.5 Relevant Views and Suggestions ................................................................................................................ 105

7.6 Actions and Suggestions from Authorities Regarding the Water Environment .......................................... 105

7.7NGOs' Suggestions for Regarding the Water Environment ........................................................................ 106

7.8 Suggestions for Pilot Project ...................................................................................................................... 106

Attached map: Sample distribution map

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1 General Situation of Surveyed Regions The Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region is located in southern China, north latitude

20542623, east longitude 1042911204, with the Tropic of Cancer running across its central area.

There are 14 prefecture-level cities under the region's jurisdiction and Nanning is its capital. Its

land area is 23.67 square kilometers, 2.5% of the national land area. The region adjoins the Beibu

Gulf in the south, faces to the Hainan Province across the sea, borders Guangdong in the east,

Hunan in the northeast, Guizhou in the northwest, Yunnan in the west, and is adjacent to Vietnam

in the southwest. It is the most convenient sea route in southwest China, playing an important

role in the economic ties between China and Southeast Asia.

The terrain in Guangxi is high in the northwest, slanting to the southeast, surrounded by

ranges of huge mountains and dotted with canyons. Due to the surrounding high mountains, a

flat basin-like internal region with breaches in the margins, and flat ground in most central and

south places, it is called Guangxi Basin.

There are lots of rivers running in Guangxi, mostly slant with the terrain from the northwest

to the southeast, forming a tree-like river system with the main watercourse Hongshuihe River -

Xijiang River across central Guangxi and tributaries in the two sides. The Pearl River system is

the largest in Guangxi, with its drainage area accounting for 85.2% of the total area of Guangxi.

The Yangtze River system distribution is in northeast of Guangxi, with its drainage area

accounting for 3.5% of the total area of Guangxi. A single sea-toward river system is mainly

distributed in north, with its drainage area accounting for 11.3% of the total area. Larger rivers,

such as Nanliu River, Qinjiang River and Beilun River, empty into the Beibu Gulf.

Guangxi is located in low latitudes, with the Tropic of Cancer running across its central

region, tropical ocean on the south, the Nanling Mountain Range in the north, and the

Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau to its west extension. As the transition zone from Yunnan-Guizhou

Plateau to the southeast coastal hills, Guangxi possesses terrain characteristics of high rims and

low center, a basin shape, numerous mountains and few plains. The Karst landform spreads

widely, account for 37.8% of the total area of the Guangxi, concentrated in its southwest,

northwest, middle part and northeast areas.

Guangxi lies in the middle and south Asian tropical monsoon climate zones, with a warm

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climate and abundant heats. The annual average Region temperatures are between 16.5 ~ 23.1 C.

The annual average temperature in about 65% of the region is above 20.0 C.

Guangxi is one of the provinces with most rainfall in China. The annual Region

precipitations are between 1080 ~ 2760 mm, mostly between 1300 ~ 2000 mm. The geographical

distribution features are more in the east and less in the west; more in the hills and mountains,

less in the river valleys and plains; more in the windward slopes and less in the leeward slopes in

the summer, etc. Due to the effect of alternating winter and summer monsoons, the seasonal

distribution of rainfall of Guangxi is uneven, with an obvious distinction between the dry season

and the wet season. April to September is the rainy season, with a total rainfall accounting for

70% ~ 85% of annual rainfall; October to March is the dry season, with a total rainfall

accounting for only 15% ~ 30% of annual rainfall.

Located in the subtropical monsoon climate zone, Guangxi has its hot season and rainy

season in the same period. Its tree growth exceeds three to four times the national average, an

important part of the southern collective forest region, with a critical ecological location,

superior natural conditions and abundant species, all conducive to the development of forestry.

The areas of plantation, economic forests and fast-growing forests of Guangxi rank first in the

nation, and the annual commercial timber production accounts for one seventh of that in the

whole country. The area's forest land area is 226 million mu, 63.5% of the total land area, nearly

three times that of agricultural land and the fifth largest in the nation. Its collective forest land

area is 210 million mu, the third largest in the nation. There are 8354 species of vascular plants

in Guangxi, the third most in the nation. With 884 kinds of terrestrial wild vertebrates, Guangxi

is one of the provinces with numerous wild animals in China. The more than 1000 kinds of

plants and animals in the region are of high economic value, among which there are more than

100 rare trees suitable for cultivation.

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2 Survey Purpose Stora Enso is the global rethinker of the paper, biomaterials, wood products and packaging

industry. We always rethink the old and expand to the new to offer our customers innovative

solutions based on renewable materials. The company's "Code of Conduct" covers three key

areas: responsible business, caring for people, and caring for the environment.

Kemira is a global chemical company that serves customers in water intensive industries. It

provides professional technology and chemicals to help customers improve the efficiency of

water resources, energy and raw materials. Water use efficiency and protection of water

resources are the center elements of Kemiras strategy.

In 2013, Stora Enso Corporate and Kemira decided to jointly implement the "Water

Stewardship - Shared Value Creation" project in Guangxi. The project is invested, constructed

and implemented jointly by Stora Enso and Kemira, aiming at responsible protection of water

resources in the incorporated communities. It brings together Kemiras world-leading expertise

water quality and quantity management, Stora Enso's professional knowledge on plantation

cultivation and management, as well as Guangxi local communities practical knowledge and

experience in water resources issues. The project improves the abilities in the area to protect and

manage water resources, and enhances the societys understanding of water issues. The project

was launched in the end of 2013 and lasts until the end of 2015. It includes four modules of

baseline survey, water monitoring, pilot projects and awareness building communication.

This baseline survey is the first module of the project to be launched and implemented. It

includes surveys on drinking water and agricultural water, with the aim to understand the sources

of domestic water for the local people, the condition of water quality, quantity and usage, the

processes of sewage and water use, the current environmental conditions and production

situations in the villages, as well as prospects for future development, including projects already

planned and implemented by the villagers. Through the research, real and effective essential data

was obtained, which helped the project team to comprehend the current situation, actual

difficulties and the needs of the local communities. Consequently, it will help the team in select

and build an appropriate and ideal pilot project and popularize basic knowledge about water

source conservation and scientific usage of water.

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3 Survey Process, Method and Target

3.1 Survey Schedule

January, 2014: Preparation for the baseline survey.

February, 2014: Conduct pilot survey in Nanning Region, including field survey, collecting

questionnaire, data analysis, and preparing summary report.

March, 2014-June, 2014: Conduct field survey and collect questionnaire in Yulin Region,

Beihai Region and Qinlian Region; collect questionnaire from NGO at the same time.

June, 2014-August, 2014: Analyze the survey data, prepare survey report, and finish

translation and text check.

3.2 Survey questionnaire

According to the survey purpose and surveyed target, three different types of questionnaires

are used for this survey: a questionnaire on ecological environment and water usage safety in

forest community (for the villagers), a questionnaire on basic village situation (for natural village

leaders or villager group leaders), and a questionnaire on water resource-related issues (for

relevant government departments and non-governmental organizations).

3.2.1 Survey on Ecology and Water Usage Safety in the Forest Community

The survey method is a questionnaire form. The survey content on villagers' views of

ecological environment and water usage safety is divided into five main aspects, including 49

items:

(1)Basic Village Information

14 items in total, including: family size by age; literacy of family members; family annual

income; main source of income; breeding species and quantity; number of fields and crops

species; woodland area and plant species; fish pond area and breeding; farmland fertilizers and

quantity; pesticide quantity applied to farmlands; road types in living quarters; garbage

processing mode in living quarters; residence environment; main fuel types.

(2)Drinking Water (in this report drinking water refers to domestic water)

10 items in total, including: sources of drinking water; well water types; whether the

drinking water has been treated and treatment methods; whether the drinking water is in line with

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the national water quality standards and judgment criteria; level of satisfaction with the current

situation of drinking water and reasons for dissatisfaction; domestic water consumption; drinking

water supply and shortage time; change in water quality compared with that of ten years ago and

the reasons behind the change; change in water quantity compared with that of ten years ago and

reasons behind the change; whether government departments or village committees have plans to

improve the water quality.

(3)Agricultural Water

8 items, including: livestock drinking water source; irrigation water source; level of

satisfaction with current agricultural water quality and reasons for dissatisfaction; agricultural

water supply and shortage time; main irrigation modes; proportion of farmland with artificial

irrigation; main uses of irrigation water; whether there are plans to improve the irrigation

methods.

(4) Domestic Sewage

8 items in total, including: toilet types; domestic sewage treatment ways; domestic sewage

discharge ways; wastewater discharge destinations; whether sewage discharge points and

drinking water sources are from the same water body; whether there are plans to improve the

sewage treatment methods; water quality of rivers near the village; main pollution sources of

water body.

(5) Opinions and Advices

9 items in total, including: whether the people are satisfied with the existing life and reasons

for dissatisfaction; what rural environments need to be improved; what is the biggest problem in

rural development; the effort that one is willing to invest in the improvement of water conditions

with the aid of the government; the effort that one is willing to invest in domestic sewage

treatment with the aid of the government; whether one is willing to use slurry from biogas

fermentation to irrigate farmland and the reasons; whether one is willing to use residue from

biogas fermentation as fertilizer and the reasons; plans for increasing income; other opinions and

suggestions.

3.2.2 Survey on basic village situation

In order to guarantee the credibility of the survey data, cadres of sampled natural villages

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are asked to fill out a form regaring the basic situation of their village. The form's content mainly

includes: population information, production situation, main source of livelihood, water supply

and drainage, government policies and programs in rural development and construction,

government policy project on conservation and management of drinking water resources,

environment-related problems that are reflected most by the village mass, development direction

and plans for the village in the next three or five years. The investigation content is basically the

same as the questionnaire content of the survey on ecological environment and water usage

safety for the villagers. This way it is possible to verify the villagers truthfulness regarding the

questionnaire content via a higher level.

3.2.3 Survey on Issues Related with Water Resources

The survey can be divided into two aspects: one is the sample policies and views of the

town government on water resources; the other is the policies and views of the NGOs on water

resources.

The survey is conducted in the form of a questionnaire, and its content mainly includes 11

items as follows:

1) What policy and plan regarding water source conservation and cleaning does the

government implement? (for government authorities); Currently, what activities of

water resource protection and management does your organization partake in? What are

the specific practices? (for NGOs)

2) Currently, what major problems in water supply exist in the rural and urban areas?

3)

Currently, what major problems in sewage discharge exist in the rural areas?

4) How is the quality of surface water and underground water in the rural areas? What are

the main pollutants?

5) With regard to conservation of sources of rural drinking water, what should be taken

into consideration?

6) As for helping rural and urban residents test the quality of their drinking water, what

testing items should be made as priority?

7) What equipment or technology is recommended in order to improve the quality of

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drinking water?

8) What equipment or technology is recommended to be used for disposing rural sewage?

9) Do you think that the villagers are in urgent need to improve water supply conditions or

drainage conditions?

10) What problems may exist in carrying out water supply and sewage disposal projects in

the rural areas?

11) What do you think is the enterprise's responsibility and its role in local water resources

protection and management?

3.3 Survey Target

3.3.1 Villagers

The surveyed area is divided into 4 Regions in accordance with SEGXs forestland

management: the Nanning Region (including Nanning City and Chongzuo City), the Yulin

Region (including Yulin City, Guigang City and Wuzhou City), the Beihai Region (Beihai City)

and the Qinlian Region (Qinzhou City).

The surveyed target was chosen at random. First the forestland administrator in each Region

tallied and reported the essential data, and then drew the minimum representative number for the

survey to be valid (the number of natural villages) by using a random sampling method of

numerical statistics. After that it was distributed proportionally to natural villages, village

committees, and towns in each Region. 8 households of villagers in each natural village were

chosen randomly for the survey. Please refer to Table 3-1 for specific survey targets and number

of targets.

Table 3-1 Survey Target and Number of Target

Region Number of

Towns

Number of

Administrative

Villages

Number of

Natural Villages

Number of Villager

Households

Nanning Region 4 4 7 56

Yulin Region 11 20 48 384

Beihai Region 13 24 41 328

Qinlian Region 3 6 20 160

In Total 31 54 116 928

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Qusetionnaire for villagers: Issue the questionnaires on spot and collect the questionnaires

on spot. With a total of 928 questionnaires issued, 928 collected, the response rate is 100%.

Questionnaire for natural village leaders or villager group leaders: Issue the questionnaires

on spot and collect the questionnaires on spot. With a total of 116 questionnaires issued, 116

collected, the response rate is 100%.

3.3.2 Government and NGO

The surveyed government departments include 31 towns (see table 3-1). Issue the

questionnaires on spot and collect the questionnaires on spot. With a total of 31 questionnaires

issued, 31 collected, the response rate is 100%.

Non-governmental organizations (NGO) include four: Guangxi Green Association,

Greenovation Hub, Beihai Citizen Volunteer Association, and Bozhongren Environment

Protection Association of Beihai College of Beihang University. Issue the questionnaires by

email and collect the questionnaires by email. With a total of 6 questionnaires issued, 4 collected,

the response rate is 67%.

3.4 Data analysis method

Data analysis methods in this report mainly include: diagram method, descriptive statistic

analysis, and comparative analysis.

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4 Survey Result and Analysis of Questionnaire for Villagers

4.1 Basic Information

4.1.1 Family Composition and Education Level of Surveyed Target

4.1.1.1 Nanning Region

Out of households surveyed, the primary age groups were youngsters and middle-aged

persons (Figure 4-1). The age groups of 41-60, 20-40, and below 20 accounted for 31.62%,

40.44%, and 19.12% respectively, which took up 91.18% of the total population surveyed. The

education level of family members was relatively low (Figure 4-2), among which only 12.27%

had received a senior high school education. Those who just had junior middle or elementary

education took up 49.55% and 34.09% respectively. This means 83.64% of the villagers

surveyed received only either elementary or junior middle school education.

Figure 4-1 Age Structure in the Nanning Region

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Figure 4-2 Education Level in the Nanning Region

4.1.1.2 Yulin Region

Out of the households surveyed, the age groups of 41-60, 20-40, and below 20 accounted

for 25.81%, 33.75%, and 27.69% respectively, which took up 87.25% of the total population

surveyed (Figure 4-3). The family members who received senior high school education, junior

middle and elementary education took up 12.26%, 51.41% and 32.20% respectively (Figure 4-4).

This means 85.61% of the villagers surveyed received only either elementary or junior middle

school education - the lowest educational level among the 4 surveyed Regions.

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4-3

Figure 4-3 Age Structure in the Yulin Region

Figure 4-4 Education Level in the Yulin Region

4.1.1.3 Beihai Region

Out of the households surveyed in theBeihai Region, the age groups of 41-60, 20-40, and

below 20 accounted for 23.60%, 35.63%, and 27.18% respectively (Figure 4-5). The family

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members who received junior middle and elementary education took up 78.77% of the total

population surveyed (Figure 4-6), and those who received senior high school education

accounted for 17.32% - the highest among the 4 surveyed Regions.

Figure 4-5 Age Structure in the Beihai Region

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Figure 4-6 Education Level in the Beihai Region

4.1.1.4 Qinlian Region

Out of households surveyed in the Qinlian Region, the age groups of 41-60, 20-40, and

below 20 accounted for 23.26%, 35.19%, and 28.47% respectively. The young working force

was quite abundant, but their educational level was generally low, with over 80% of villagers

receiving junior middle and elementary education.

Figure 4-7 Age Structure in the Qinlian Region

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Figure 4-8 Education Level in the Qinlian Region

4.1.1.5 Summary

The overall major age group of the survey was 20-60 years old, or about 60% of the total

surveyed population. The proportion of Nanning in this age group was the largest, reaching

72.06%, showing that most households had adequate labor force. The villagers generally had a

low level of education, with 80% only having received junior middle school or elementary

education. This directly affects the quality, job skills and family income of the villagers.

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Figure 4-9 Overall Age Structure in Survey Plot

Figure 4-10 Overall Education Level in Survey Plot

4.1.2Family Average Annual Income and its Composition


The average annual gross income of more than half of households (57.89%) was less than

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10, 000 Yuan (Figure 4-11), among which 29.82% had an average annual income less than 5,000

Yuan, indicating that the rural economic level of the Nanning Region was still relatively low.

Figure 4-11 Family Average Annual Incomes in the Nanning Region

It can be seen from the Component of Family Income (Figure 4-12) that the revenue from

working away from home, agricultural plantation, and forestry took up 27.37%, 40.00% and

10.53% of the family income respectively, totaling to 77.9%. Those who raised poultry usually

chose chickens, ducks, and geese, which accounted for 89.35%. Nevertheless, 93.18% of the

families who kept poultry did it for their own use, instead of trying to sell them to generate more

family income.

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Figure 4-12 Component of Family Income in the Nanning Region


In the Yulin Region, the villagers' family income was very low: the amount of households

with an average annual income less than 5,000 Yuan reached 57.84% (Figure 4-13). Thus it can

be seen that the region's rural economic income is the main factor restricting the improvement of

villagers education and quality. The interdependency between economy and education causes the

villagers to mainly partake in physical work with low technology.

Figure 4-13 Average Family Annual Income in the Yulin Region



9.63% of the family income respectively, totaling to 80%. Those who raised poultry usually

chose chickens, ducks, and geese, which accounted for 99.97%. Nevertheless, 72.65% of the

families who kept the poultry did it for their own use.

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Figure 4-14 Component of Family Income in the Yulin Region


The households in the Beihai Region with family annual income of 5,000-10,000 Yuan and

below 5,000 Yuan accounted for 21.45% and 73.01% respectively (Figure 4-15), taking up

94.46% of the total households surveyed. Thus it can be seen that the rural economic income in

this Region was relatively low.

4-15

Figure 4-15 Average Family Annual Income in the Beihai Region

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9.95% of the family income respectively, which totaled to 75.42%. Those who raised poultry

usually chose chickens, ducks, and geese, which accounted for 78.84%.

Figure 4-16 Component of Family Income in the Beihai Region


The family annual income in the Qinlian Region is generally lower than 5,000 Yuan,

accounting for 86.88% of the total surveyed (Figure 4-17). Working away from home,

agricultural plantation, and forestry were the main sources of income (Figure 4-18), which

accounted for 86.02% of the villagers' income, indicating that the rural economy in this Region

was relatively low, mainly composed of traditional industries.

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Figure 4-17 Average Family Annual Income in the Qinlian Region

Figure 4-18 Component of Family Income in the Qinlian Region

4.1.2.5 Summary

The economical conditions of the villagers in the four surveyed Regions were not so good,

and the family income of the villagers in the Yulin and Beihai Regions was rather low. Taking the

proportion of annual family income below 5000 Yuan as an example, the proportion of the Yulin

Region was 57.84%, that of the Beihai Region was 73.01%, the Qinlian Region 86.88%, and the

Nanning Region only 29.82%. The family income in these Regions could be summarized as

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Nanning Region > Yulin Region > Beihai Region > Qinlian Region. In general (Figure 4-19 and

4-20), the family annual income of more than 90% of the villagers was less than 10,000 Yuan.

About 90% of the income was from work away from home, agricultural plantation, fish breeding,

poultry raising and forestry.

Figure 4-19 Overall Family Annual Income in the Surveyed Regions

Figure 4-20 Overall Component of Family Income in the Surveyed Regions

4.1.3 Land Utilization


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In terms of land type among the surveyed villages, agricultural land took the lead.

Agricultural land and forest land occupied 744.8 mu and 253.5 mu correspondingly (Figure

4-21). Among agricultural land, paddy fields took up 9.8%, while the remaining 90.2% was dry

farmland, indicating insufficient water sources in the Region. Wide-spread Karst landscape, poor

water retention ability of forests in the rocky mountains, heavy surface water leakage and soil

erosion all together make it a Region that suffers from a severe water shortage. Rice was grown

in paddy fields, and sugarcane, corn, and cassava were generally planted in dry farmland. Forest

land was commonly used to plant eucalyptus and Chinese red pine, accounting for 50.00% and

36.84% respectively; other usually grown plants included Australian red cedar, star anise, cedar,

bamboo, etc. It can be concluded that the villagers living in the forest areas are accustomed to

growing trees. Land used for fishery purposes was very rare, mainly resulting from scarcity of

water.

Figure 4-21 Land Utilization Type in the Nanning Region


Agricultural land and forest land of the surveyed villagers occupied 1361.48 mu and 3127

mu correspondingly (Figure 4-22). Among agricultural land, paddy fields took the largest part

and was planted with rice. Dry farmland was mainly planted with peanuts and corn. Forest land

was commonly used to plant eucalyptus and pine, accounting for 65.15% and 13.64%

respectively; other grown plants included litchi, longan, tea-oil trees, star anise, etc. It can be

concluded that the villagers living in forest areas are accustomed to growing trees. Land used for

fishery purposes was very rare, only 28 mu of land among the surveyed land types. Common fish

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included grass carp and bullhead.

Figure 4-22 Land Utilization Type in the Yulin Region


The land type in the surveyed villages in the Beihai Region was mainly forest land,

accounting for 3831.9 mu (Figure 4-23); agricultural land accounted for more than 2000 mu, of

which the ratio of dry farmland and paddy field was close to 1:1. The main paddy field crop was

rice. The crops planted on dry farmland were mainly sugarcane, corn and peanuts. All forestlands

are used to plant eucalyptus. Differing from the other three Regions, the villagers in this Region

are not good at fish farming; the total fish pond area was small, only 115.6 mu.

Figure 4-23 Land Utilization Type in the Beihai Region


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The major land type in the Qinlian Region was forest land (Figure 4-24), which accounted

for over 95%, and the common tree species was eucalyptus. Comparatively, the amount of

agricultural land was small, the areas of paddy fields and dry farmlands were almost the same,

and the area of fish ponds was about 1% of the total area.

Figure 3-24 Land Utilization Type in the Qinlian Region

4.1.3.5 Summary

On the whole, the main land utilization type in the four Regions, except Nanning, was forest

land (Figure 4-25), the proportion of which was more than 60%. Agricultural land accounted for

about 35%, with equal paddy field and dry land areas. The total area of fish ponds was very

small, only about 1%. Among the four Regions, the Nanning Region had the smallest proportion

of forest land, while the Qinlian Region had the largest. (Note: this survey was mainly for

villages around the forest areas, so the land utilization type was mainly woodlands. This survey

only reflects land utilization of villages around forest areas and does not represent rural land

utilization in all parts of Guangxi.)

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Figure 4-25 Overall Land Utilization Type in the Surveyed Regions

With regard to land type, farmland took the lead in the Nanning Region, while forest land

was most common in the Beihai Region. The ratio of paddy fields and dry farmland in the Yulin

and Beihai Regions was close to 1:1, while that in the Nanning Region was 1:9, affected by its

Karst landform and water storage function of the rocky mountain forests. Eucalyptus

plantatations accounted for the largest proportion of forest lands; in the Nanning Region it was

about 50%, in Yulin it was about 65%, and in Beihai it was close to 100%. Besides Eucalyptus,

common tree species include pine, Australian red cedar, star anise, cedar, bamboo, litchi, longan

and tea-oil tree are also.

4.1.4Use of Fertilizers and Pesticides


The amount, types, and proportions of fertilizers and pesticides used by the villagers were

not regulated; therefore most families just used them according to their crop type and past

experience. The amount of fertilizers used was from 40 kg to 150 kg per mu, depending on types

of crop (Figure 4-26). In general more than 50 kg of fertilizers was used per mu, only in 2.44%

of the Region less than 50 kg of fertilizers was used to every mu of land. The reason could be

that this was a sugarcane production region, so increasing the amount of fertilizers would

improve production.

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The usage of pesticides was commonly between 0.5 kg and 1 kg or above 2.5 kg/mu, or

varying in accordance with the types of crop (Figure 4-27). Those who did not use pesticides

were villages with a lower income level. The amount of pesticides used was generally above 2.5

kg/mu, and most of the households (50%) used 5 to 10 kg/mu. The reason may be that sugarcane

was the staple crop in this Region, and increasing fertilizer application would improve

production.

Figure 4-26 Usage of Fertilizers in the Nanning Region

Figure 4-27 Usage of Pesticides in the Nanning Region

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Over 90% of the villagers in Yulin Region used less than 150 kg of fertilizers for every mu

of land, in accordance with different crops (Figure 4-28).

The use of pesticides in over 70% of the Region was less than 1 kg/mu, varying in

accordance with the types of crop (Figure 4-29). Those who did not use pesticides were villagers

with a lower income level, while villagers who used larger quantities of pesticides were richer.

However, massive use of fertilizers and pesticides in areas with heavy soil erosion would exert

an influence on water quality that was too significant to ignore.

Figure 4-28 Usage of Fertilizer in the Yulin Region

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Figure 4-29 Usage of Pesticide in the Yulin Region


The amount of fertilizers used in the Beihai Region was usually less than 100 kg per mu

(Figure 4-30), less than that in the Nanning and Yulin Regions. This resulted from major

application of organic fertilizers and less chemical fertilizers in the Region. It is worth

mentioning that in Shanglingjiao, Huapu Village, Fucheng Town, Hepu County and Beihai City,

the total amount of chemical fertilizers and organic fertilizers used were relatively large. The

fertilizers N, P, K and compound fertilizers were applied between 750-1000 kg/mu, and the

organic fertilizers could reach 1000 kg/mu.

The use of pesticides was commonly between 1-2.5 kg or 3-5 kg/mu, or varying in

accordance with the types of crop (Figure 4-31). Those who did not use pesticides were villagers

with a lower income level.

Figure 4-30 Usage of Fertilizer in the Beihai Region

28

Figure 4-31 Usage of Pesticide in the Beihai Region


The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in the Qinlian Region is quite similar with that

in the Beihai Region (Figure 4-32 and 4-33). The fertilizer application quantity in about 75% of

the Region was below 100 kg/mu. The reason for this was similar to the Beihai Region, which

was that organic fertilizers were used more, and more than 98% of the Region used pesticides in

amounts less than 5 kg/mu.

Figure 4-32 Usage of Fertilizer in the Qinlian Region

29

Figure 4-33 Usage of Pesticide in the Qinlian Region

4.1.4.5 Summary

More than 70% of the villagers in the Yulin, Beihai and Qinlian Regions used less than 100

kg/mu of fertlizers in a year, generally between 25-100 kg/mu, while the amount of fertilizers

used in the Nanning Region was far greater, with over 50% of the villagers using more than 150

kg/mu in a year. The main reason was that in the Nanning Region the soil suffered from poor

fertility maintenance, the nutrients were easily lost, and the farmers used lots of fertilizers in

sugarcane planting to raise the yield. Pesticide quantities in the four Regions also differed greatly.

Take, for example, the proportion of annual pesticide quantity > 3 kg/mu: in the Yulin Region it

was 10.19%, in the Beihai Region it was 38.35%, in the Nanning Region it was 33.33%, and in

the Qinlian Region it was 31.65%. Therefore, the Beihai Region took the lead in the amount of

pesticide application. Generally, the amount of fertilizer application was usually less than 100

kg/mu, and that of pesticides was usually less than 2.5 kg/mu, accounting for 78.33% and

73.74% respectively (Figure 4-34 and 4-35). In Regions with severe soil erosion, the impact of

substantial usage of fertilizers and pesticides on water quality was surely not to be ignored.

Unstandardized and irregular application of fertilizers and pesticides resulted in excessive loss of

nutrients, and was a major factor causing non-point source pollution of water bodies in the rural

areas.

30

Figure 4-34 Overall Usage of Fertilizer in the Surveyed Region

Figure 4-35 Overall Usage of Pesticide in the Surveyed Region

4.1.5 Living Environment and Conditions


In terms of living conditions, 51.52% of villagers had cement roads while 37.88% had

muddy roads; 9.09% and 1.52% of households had access roads and gravel roads respectively

31

(Figure 4-36). This means that the majority of the villagers had relatively convenient

transportation. Through the implementation of the Village Cleaning Project, 88.53% of the

garbage was collected to a central point for processing and only 11.48% was piled up arbitrarily.

Based on the above circumstances, 36.51% of the villagers thought their living environment was

clean, 50.79% thought of it as acceptable, and only 12.70% considered it dirty and disorganized

in some areas.

Fuels primarily used by the villagers were usually gas (41.05%) and wood (44.21%), while

those using methane and electricity only took up 9.47% and 4.21% respectively (Figure 4-37).

The reality of the villages was that as many left home to work elsewhere, the ones who stayed at

home were normally the elderly and children. Therefore the demand for fuel consumption was

relatively limited. In addition, although large amounts of firewood was used, the fuel

consumption rate was still low considering the popularity of gas.

Figure 4-36 Residence Road Type in the Nanning Region

32

Figure 4-37 Household Fuel Type in the Nanning Region


In terms of living conditions, the residential environment was experienced as is shown in

the following chart (Figure 4-38). Although the Village Cleaning Project had been implemented,

only 22.93% of the villagers considered their living environment clean, 36% thought of it as

acceptable, 34.2% viewed that it was dirty and disorganized in some areas, and 9.87% held that it

was messy and dirty on the whole. The main types of fuel of the villagers were wood (61.77%)

and gas (20.88%). The use of straw and biogas were 11.68% and 4.96% respectively (Figure

4-39), so it could be said that wood was the main source of fuel.

33

Figure 4-38 Living Environment in the Yulin Region

Figure 4-39 Household Fuel Type in the Yulin Region


In the Beihai Region, 30.47% of the villagers considered the environment clean, 40.83%

thought it could be called clean, 26.63% viewed that it was dirty and disorganized in some areas,

34

and only 2.07% held that it was messy and dirty on the whole (Figure 4-38), implying that most

villagers enjoyed a good living environment. The main fuel types of villagers were gas (29.68%)

and wood (50.09%), and use of straw and biogas were 10.02% and 8.51% respectively (Figure

4-39). The reality of the villages was that as many left home to work elsewhere, the ones who

stayed at home were normally the elderly and children. Therefore demand for fuel consumption

was relatively limited. In addition, although large amounts of firewood was used, the fuel

consumption rate was still low considering the popularity of gas.

Figure 4-38 Living Environment in the Beihai Region

35

Figure 4-39 Household Fuel Type in the Beihai Region


18.13% of the villagers thought of their living environment as clean (the lowest among the

four Regions), and 40% thought of the living environment as dirty and messy in some parts

(Figure 4-40) (the highest among the four Regions), This means that the environmental quality of

Qinlian needed to be improved. The amount of fuel consumption was basically the same as in the

other Regions, with wood taking the largest proportion (Figure 4-41).

36

Figure 4-40 Living Environment in the Qinlian Region

Figure 4-41 Household Fuel Type in the Qinlian Region

4.1.5.5 Summary

The proportions of villagers who considered their residential area as basically clean were:

Yulin Region 22.93%, Beihai Region 30.47%, Qinlian Region 18.13%, and Nanning Region

37

87.30%. The community environment in the Nanning Region was the best: on the whole, more

than 60% of the villagers thought of their residential environment as clean or relatively clean

(Figure 4-42). Regarding fuel sources (Figure 4-43), the fact that some villagers worked away

from home, thus reducing the family population, lessened family livestock farming (mainly for

private use). Thus the amount of livestock excrement and urine was small. Although most

households supported the use of biogas, biogas slurry and residue, biogas was still not very

popular. Overall, the rural environment was affected by the release of domestic sewage and

arbitrary piling of garbage, extensive use of fertilizers and pesticides, low educational level, and

of the lack of execution of environmental conservation measures.

Figure 4-42 Overall Living Environment in the Surveyed Region

38

Figure 4-43 Overall Household Fuel Type in the Surveyed Region

4.2 Drinking Water

In this report, various water sources are mentioned. Because the scope of this survey is

mainly focused on rural area, the meanings of water sources may be different from general urban

water, and the specific meanings are as follows:

Tap water: water source is centralized water supply system for villages and towns; the water

is transported directly into the houses of villagers by pipelines.

Well water: water source is decentralized water supply wells; no centralized water supply

system; the water may be transported by pipelines or artificial lifting.

Mountain spring water: water source is decentralized mountain springs; no centralized

water supply system; the water may be transported by pipelines or artificial lifting.

River and stream: water source is decentralized rivers or streams; no centralized water

supply system; the water may be transported by pipelines or artificial lifting.

Reservoir: villagers take the water from reservoirs respectively; no centralized water supply

system; the water may be transported by pipelines or artificial lifting.

4.2.1 Sources of Drinking Water


39

Out of the the surveyed villagers, those using tap water, well water, and mountain spring

water accounted for 35.09%, 42.11%, and 21.05% respectively. Only 1.75% used water sources

from rivers and streams (Figure 4-44). It can be concluded that tap water and well water were the

major types of drinking water for the villagers. For 63.16% of the people using water from wells

or mountain springs, the water was vulnerable to environmental pollution; especially mountain

spring water can be greatly impacted by the fertilizers and pesticides that are used in artificial

forests. 61.29% of the villagers' wells were shallow wells (10m), which could be easily affected

by sewage water, garbage, and agricultural non-point pollution. For villagers who chose well

water, some reflected that during the wet season the quality and colour of the well water would

change. This could be connected with well locations (those near polluted waters would be bad)

and geological conditions. The surveyed Region was of Karst landform, with high silt content

and heavy surface water leakage, thus remarkably impacting the well water via leakage of

surface pollutants. Therefore, emphasis on management of forestry, agriculture, and community

environment was essential for the safety of drinking water for the majority of local villagers.

Figure 4-44 Household Drinking Water Sources in the Nanning Region


Among the surveyed villagers, those who used tap water, well water, and mountain spring

water accounted for 15.83%, 51.32% and 17.03% respectively. Those who used water from

rivers and streams reached 13.67%, while those who used water from the reservoirs were

40

relatively few, only 2.16% (Figure 4-45). Those who used shallow well water (10 m) accounted

for 73.95%, suggesting that the level of local water pollution was not very serious. Most lands in

this Region belonged to quaternary red soil, of which the structure was hard-packed and surface

leakage not so heavy. According to the surveyed villagers, due to reservoir breeding, for many

years the water pollution had been too serious for the water to be drunk directly.

Figure 4-45 Household Drinking Water Sources in the Yulin Region


The main drinking water source for the villagers in the Beihai Region was well water, of

which the proportion reached 60.12% (Figure 4-46). A few villagers used tap water and water

from rivers and streams. Well water was susceptible to environmental pollution; therefore

63.82% of wells were deep ones (10m), showing that most villagers paid close attention to the

safety of their drinking water.

41

Figure 4-45 Household Drinking Water Sources in the Beihai Region


Approximately 70% of the villagers in the Qinlian Region drilled wells for water, but 90%

of wells that provided drinking water were shallow ones (Figure 4-47). The second major water

source was tap water, which accounted for 28.04%.

Figure 4-47 Drinking Water Sources in the Qinlian Region

4.2.1.5 Summary

There are five kinds of drinking water sources for community villagers: tap water, well

water, mountain springs, water from rivers and streams, and water from the reservoirs. Among

42

those the proportion of well water was notably high in all four surveyed Regions. In general,

except in the Beihai Region, most of the wells were shallow, accounting for 73.09% (Figure

4-48). Water from shallow wells and mountain springs was vulnerable to environmental

pollution, such as fertilizers and pesticides in the farmland planting and plantation management.

Therefore, emphasis on management of forestry, agriculture, and community environment was

essential for the safety of drinking water for the majority of local villagers.

Figure 4-48 Overall Drinking Water Sources in the Surveyed Regions

4.2.2 Quality of Drinking Water


As for the treatment processes of drinking water, only 29.82% was processed, mainly by

filtration and natural sedimentation. This merely eliminates the impurities in the water but does

not do much for bacteria and soluble pollutants. The drinking water of the other 61.40% villagers

was not treated, and the rest 8.78% said they had no idea whether it was treated or not (Figure

4-49).

43

Figure 4-49 Drinking Water Treatment Situations and Methods in the Nanning Region

59.65% of the villagers did not know if the quality of their drinking water complied with the

national standards. Even for those who said the water quality conformed to the standards, it was

largely out of speculation, accounting for 74.07% of the surveyed population. Merely 18.52% of

the domestic drinking water was supervised and tested by professional testing institutes (Figure

4-50). It was thus natural to conclude that the quality of drinking water for local villagers was

alarming.

Figure 4-50 Situations and Judging Methods of Drinking Water Quality in the Nanning Region

44

The local villagers expressed that they based their judgment of water quality on simple

perception, considering water with good transparency and little impurities up to standards;

therefore 33.33% were satisfied with the water quality and 57.90% thought it was acceptable.

Based on the collected data, there was a relatively high level of satisfaction among villagers

regarding water quality (Figure 4-51). Out of the 8.77% who were unsatisfied, only a few chose

colour, smell, taste, suspended articles, microorganisms or heavy metal pollution as reasons for

dissatisfaction; 80.00% selected "others", indicating that they were concerned about the water

quality but were not sure whether it had reached the standards or whether it would exert

negatively on the human body.

Figure 4-51 Satisfaction Rate and Reasons for Dissatisfaction with Drinking Water Quality from

Villagers in the Nanning Region


Regarding drinking water treatment in the Yulin Region, only 27.94% was processed. The

main processing method was natural precipitation, which only removes the impurities from the

water but is not able to clear out bacteria and soluble pollutants. The drinking water for 63.71%

of the villagers was untreated, and 8.36% said that they didn't know whether the water had been

treated or not (Figure 4-52).

45

Figure 4-52 Drinking Water Treatment Situations and Methods in the Yulin Region

63.97% of the villagers did not know whether the water quality met the national drinking

water standards. Even those who said the water quality was qualified were just making a guess,

accounting for 69.83% of the surveyed population. Only 15.93% of household drinking water

was monitored by professional testing institutions (Figure 4-53). It could be concluded that the

drinking water quality of the villagers was worrying.

Figure 4-53 Situations and Judging Methods of Drinking Water Quality in the Yulin Region

According to the villagers, their evaluations of water quality were heavily dependent on

46

sensory feelings, thinking that good transparency and less impurities accounted for qualified

water qualities. 36.55% of the villagers felt satisfied with the water quality, 43.86% thought of it

as acceptable, and 19.58% said they were not satisfied (Figure 4-54). It could not be said that the

villagers were quite satisfied with the water quality, for local water conditions were also relevant.

This also suggested that the villagers were worried about the water quality, but not sure if the

water quality was good or harmful to the human body.


Villagers in the Yulin Region


Regarding drinking water treatment in the Beihai Region, 35.87% had been processed. The

main processing methods were filtration, natural precipitation, as well as treatment in water

plants. 54.41% of the villagers drinking water was untreated, and 9.73% of the villagers didn't

know whether the water had been processed or not (Figure 4-55).

47

Figure 4-55 Drinking Water Treatment Situations and Methods in the Beihai Region

57.45% of the villagers did not know if the water quality met the national drinking water

standards. Even those who said the water quality was qualified were just making a guess,

accounting for 78.85% of the surveyed population. Only 15.05% of household drinking water

was monitored by professional testing institutions (Figure 4-56).

As for evaluation of water quality, 31.61% of the villagers felt satisfied with the water

quality, 36.78% thought of it as acceptable, suggesting that the villagers satisfaction with water

quality was at an average level (Figure 4-56). Among the 31.61% of the villagers who were not

satisfied, 23.08% chose colour, 20.00% chose smell, 22.05% chose taste, 18.46% chose

suspended solids, 8.72% chose microorganism, and 6.15% chose the "other" option for the

reason of their dissatisfaction, indicating that the local water quality was affected by numerous

aspects.

48

Figure 4-56 Situations and Judging Methods of Drinking Water Quality in the Beihai Region

Figure 4-57 Satisfaction Rate and Reasons for Dissatisfaction with Drinking Water Quality from the

Villagers


56.88% of the villagers in the Qinlian Region thought that their drinking water was

untreated, only 26.25% of the villagers thought it was treated, and 16.88% didn't know whether

their drinking water had been treated or not, and nearly 90% of the villagers thought that only

simple natural precipitation was applied (Figure 4-58). As many as 88.75% of the villagers didn't

know whether their drinking water met the national drinking water standards or not. Among

49

villagers who made a conclusion of conformity or unconformity, 98.56% just made a guess. Only

1.44% tested the water by themselves, and no villager trusted specialized institutions for testing

(Figure 4-59).

Figure 4-58 Drinking Water Treatment Situations and Methods in the Qinlian Region

Figure 4-59 Situations and Judging Methods of Drinking Water Quality in the Qinlian Region

About 75% of the villagers considered their drinking water satisfactory or acceptable, while

near 25% were not satisfied with the water quality. The main reason for dissatisfaction with

water quality derived from water colour, smell, taste and suspended solids (Figure 4-60).

50


Villagers in the Qinlian Region

4.2.2.5 Summary

Most villagers were quite satisfied with the current quality of drinking water, but they

judged it by sensory feelings. 59.10% of drinking water was untreated; only 30.57% was treated;

and 10.33% of the villagers didnt know whether it was treated. The most commonly used

treatment method was natural precipitation, accouting for 55.27% (Figure 4-61).

Figure 4-61 Overall Drinking Water Treatment Situations and Methods in the Surveyed Regions

Only 10%20% of the villagers in the Yulin and Beihai Regions were sure that their

51

drinking water met the national standards. The proportion in the Nanning Region was slightly

higher, reaching 29.82%. Yet more than 50% of the villagers did not know whether their drinking

water met the national standards. Less than 20% of the villagers had their drinking water tested

by a professional organization, and about 80% evaluated the water quality based on mere

speculation (Figure 4-62).

Figure 4-62 Overall Situations and Judging Methods of Drinking Water Quality in the Surveyed Region

24% of the villagers were not satisfied with the drinking water quality, among whom 80%

thought there were problems in the water colour, taste, smell, and suspended solids. In the

Nanning Region, 8.77% of villagers were not satisfied with their drinking water quality, among

whom only 20% thought there were problems in the water smell, taste and suspended solids, and

80% thought problems existed in other aspects, excluding the colour, taste, smell, suspended

solids, microorganism and heavy metals (Figure 4-63).

52

Figure 4-63 Overall Satisfaction Rate and Reasons for Dissatisfaction with Drinking Water Quality from

Villagers in the Surveyed Regions

It can be seen from table 4-1 that among all respondents, 21.44% thought the drinking water

quality become worse in recent 10 years. The main reasons included eucalyptus plantation, water

pipe pollution, and untreated sewage. Among those who thought water quality got worse,

49.75% thought eucalyptus plantation was the main reason, implying that generally the villagers

held subjective views on eucalyptus plantations and water quality change.

Table 4-1 Statistical Table of Factors Affecting Deterioration of Water Quality

Region Total

households

Households

considering

water quality

gets worse

Percentage

Households considering

eucalyptus plantation

as main reason

Percentage

Nanning Region 56 4 7.14% 1 25.00%

Yulin Region 384 83 21.61% 56 67.47%

Beihai Region 328 84 25.61% 32 38.10%

Qinlian Region 160 28 17.50% 10 35.71%

Total 928 199 21.44% 99 49.75%

4.2.3 Amount of Drinking Water


The issues of the amount of water consumption and shortage of water resources varied

greatly from region to region. In general, the area with Karst landform had relatively limited

water resources and there was less water usage. Among the surveyed households, 54.39% used

53

less than 50 liters per capita per day and 19.30% used between 50 and 100 liters, the total of

which took up 73.69% of the families surveyed (Figure 4-64).

Figure 4-64 Daily Water Usage per capita of Villagers in the Nanning Region

Water shortage prevailed in the surveyed areas; the ratio of drinking water shortage was

close to 60% (Figure 4-65). As for water shortage time, the average water shortage period in the

surveyed households was five to six months a year, normally occuring from July to January,

while in other areas it usually occurred in the autumn and winter for a duration of three months.

Figure 4-65 Drinking Water Supply and Shortage in the Nanning Region

The vital problem in the surveyed regions was water resource shortages. The government

and village committees were planning to work on it, in such ways as assisting in the introduction

of tap water or drilling wells. 21.05% said the implementations would be conducted within three

54

years, while 42.11% said they would be conducted after three years, and a large percentage said

they did not have any plans due to lack of funds (36.84%).


Among the surveyed villagers, 44.36% used less than 50 liters of water per capita per day,

44.47% used between 50 and 100 liters, the total of which took up 88.83% of the surveyed

families (Figure 4-66).

Water shortages prevailed in the investigated Regions, but not very serious at that, with

drinking water shortages taking up 27.23% (Figure4-67). 72.77% of the villagers held that their

drinking water was adequate. In addition, most of the villagers (up to 52.88%) maintained that

the water shortage lasted for 3 months.

Figure 4-66 Figure of Daily Water Usage per capita of Villagers in the Yulin Region

55

Figure 4-67 Drinking Water Supply and Shortage in the Yulin Region

The government or village committees had certain plans for water quality improvement

(such as drilling wells or introduction of tap water). 20.28% said the implementations would be

conducted within three years, 3.50% said they would be conducted after three years,, and 76.22%

said they did not have any implementation plans. Thus it can be viewed that the government had

not paid enough attention to the water usage safety of villagers, nor had it actually carried out its

plans.

4.2.3.3 Beihia Region

The amount of available water for the villagers in the Beihai Region could not be deemed

sufficient. Among the surveyed villagers, 35.56% used less than 50 liters per capita a day,

43.16 % used between 50 and 100 liters, the total of which took up 78.72% of the families

surveyed (Figure 4-68).

56

Figure 4-68 Figure of Daily Water Usage per capita of Villagers in the Beihai Region

Water shortages in the surveyed Regions were not too severe; the proportion of drinking

water shortage accounted for 31.61%, and villagers water usage quantities were quite similar,

without sharp shortages (Figure 4-69). As for the degree of water insufficiency, the places that

suffered from the issue mostly were Liwu Village, Huapu Village, Fucheng Town, Hepu County

and Beihai City, with an average annual water shortage period of more than 7 months, generally

occurring from July to January. In other Regions the shortage usually occurs in the autumn and

winter for a duration of three months, although there were also lot of villagers suffering from

water shortages that lasted 5-6 months.

Figure 4-69 Drinking Water Supply and Shortage in the Beihai Region

Regarding improvements in water usage, 11.46% of the surveyed said the implementations

57

would be conducted within three years, 22.92% said they would be conducted after three years,

and 65.63% said they did not have any implementation plans. Thus it cab be seen that the

government needs to pay more attention to the water usage safety of the villagers.


The daily water usage per capita of 98.21% of villagers in the Qinlian Region was less than

150L, lower than that of other three Regions (Figure 4-70).

Figure 4-70 Figure of Daily Water Usage per capita of Villagers in the Qinlian Region

55.35% of the villagers thought they had enough drinking water, a proportion lower than

that in the Yulin and Beihai Regions, but higher than that in the Nanning Region. Among those

who thought they lacked water, 67.61% said that the shortage period lasted for 3 months (Figure

4-71), the highest proportion among the four Regions, suggesting that the shortage period in this

Region was comparatively short and the water supply was relatively balanced.

58

Figure 4-71 Drinking Water Supply and Shortage in the Qinlian Region

4.2.3.5 Summary

In the four Regions covered by this survey, about 80% of the villagers used less than 100L

of water per capita every day (Figure 4-72).

Figure 4-72 Overall Daily Water Usage per capita in the Surveyed Regions

66.24% of the surveyed villagers thought that their water supplies were adequate, while one

third of the villagers thought they faced a water shortage. The length of the period per year when

water was insufficient could be up to 6 months, in most cases 3 months (Figure 4-73). However,

due to reasons such as lack of money and concepts, the villagers were not very enthusiastic about

improving water usage. Especially in the Yulin and Beihai Regions more than two thirds of the

villagers did not implement any plan for improving water usage.

59

Figure 4-73 Overall Drinking Water Supply and Shortage in the Surveyed Regions

It can be seen from table 4-1 that among all respondents, 24.35% thought the drinking water

quantity decreased in recent 10 years. The main reasons included eucalyptus plantation,

population increase, and climate change. Among those who thought water quantity decreased,

52.65% thought eucalyptus plantation was the main reason, implying that generally the villagers

held subjective views on eucalyptus plantations and water quantity change.

Table 4-2 Statistical Table of Factors Affecting Water Decrease

Region Total

households

Households

considering the water

quantity decreased

Percentage

Households considering

eucapytus plantation as

main reason

Percentage

Nanning Region 56 12 21.43% 5 41.67%

Yulin Region 384 71 18.49% 59 83.10%

Beihai Region 328 82 25.00% 18 21.95%

Qinlian Region 160 61 38.13% 37 60.66%

Total 928 226 24.35% 119 52.65%

4.3 Agricultural Water

4.3.1 Sources of Agricultural Water


Regarding agricultural water, the main surveyed content included livestock drinking water,

quantity and quality of agricultural water, irrigation facilities and levels of satisfaction. Because

60

most villagers in the surveyed Region raised poultry only for their own use via outdoor grazing,

the survey on livestock water sources was pretty random in results, between 16.92% and 24.62%,

divided between tap water, well water, mountain spring, rivers and streams, and reservoir.

Agricultural irrigation water was largely from rivers and streams, mountain springs and

reservoirs, accounting for 71.93%, 15.79% and 12.28% respectively (Figure 4-74).

Figure 4-74 Sources of Livestock Water and Agricultural Irrigation Water in the Nanning Region


The proportions of water for livestock from tap water, well water, mountain springs, rivers

and streams, and reservoirs differed significantly, with rivers and streams reaching up to 43%.

Agricultural irrigation water was mainly from rivers and streams, mountain springs and

reservoirs, accounting for 46.32%, 24.63% and 24.21% respectively (Figure 4-75).

61

Figure 4-75 Sources of Livestock Water and Agricultural Irrigation Water in the Yulin Region


Because villagers in the surveyed Region could live on agriculture, forestry, and animal

husbandry, sources for agricultural water differed greatly. Water from wells, rivers and streams

accounted for the most (60%); tap water, mountain spring,s and reservoir waters were between

3.32% and 27.62%. Agricultural irrigation water was mainly from rivers and streams, mountain

springs and reservoirs, accounting for 41.69%, 13.30% and 27.62% respectively (Figure 4-76).

Figure 4-76 Sources of Livestock Water and Agricultural Irrigation Water in the Beihai Region


53.27% of livestock water in the Qinlian Region was from wells the highest proportion in

62

the four areas. For agricultural irrigation, the situation was similar to that in the other three areas,

with water from rivers and streams taking the largest proportion, albeit with a small percentage.

Rainwater irrigation in this Region accounted for 31.40%, suggesting that rainfall in the area was

abundant (Figure 4-77).

Figure 4-77 Sources of Livestock Water and Agricultural Irrigation Water in the Qinlian Region

4.3.1.5 Summary

Agricultural water mainly came from tap water, well water, mountain springs, rivers and

streams, as well as reservoirs. Statistics show that irrigation water in the four Regions mainly

came from rivers and streams, followed by reservoirs, indicating that natural waters contributed a

lot to the development of agriculture. Rivers and streams was also a main source for livestock

drinking water (Figure 4-78).

63

Figure 4-78 Overall Sources of Livestock Water and Agricultural Irrigation Water in the Surveyed

Regions

4.3.2 Agricultural Irrigation Method and Level


In the Nanning Region, irrigation was mainly arranged via ditches in the field (78.95%),

consuming large amounts of water. A great part of the water lost due to underground leakage and

surface evaporation. 17.54% of the irrigation water was via pipe irrigation (a method that saves

water), and 3.51% had arranged their irrigation via water carried by buckets (Figure 4-79).

Hence, irrigation methods wasted water, and may be one of the causes for water shortages.

Artificial irrigation for farmland was not popular, 46.43% of fields were without artificial

irrigation, and for 23.21%, the irrigation area was below 50%, suggesting from another aspect

that water resources in the surveyed Region were insufficient.

Figure 4-79 Farmland Irrigation Methods and Proportion in the Nanning Region


Farmland irrigation methods in the Yulin Region were mainly via ditches (92.15%), pipe

irrigation (7.34%), and manual labor (0.51%) (Figure 4-80). Artificial irrigation for farmland was

popular (for 46.48% of the fields the irrigation area was over 90%), suggesting from another

aspect that water resources in the surveyed Region were abundant.

64

Figure 4-80 Farmland Irrigation Methods and Proportion in the Yulin Region


There were three main methods for farmland irrigation in the Beihai Region, among which

ditch irrigation took the lead (90.24%). 7.93% was by manual labor, and 1.83% of the villagers

applied pipe irrigation (Figure 4-81). Artificial irrigation for farmland was not popular: for

12.73% of the farmlands the irrigation area was below 30%, suggesting that water sources for

farmland in the surveyed Region were insufficient.

Figure 4-81 Farmland Irrigation Methods and Proportion in the Beihai Region

4.3.2.4 Qinlian

65

In the Qinlian Region, ditch irrigation took up 55.83% (the lowest among the four Regions).

The proportion of rain irrigation was 21.47%, the highest among the four Regions, signifying

abundant rainfall in the Region, also proven by the fact that 48.67% of the farmland had an

irrigation proportion less than 30% (Figure 4-82).

Figure 4-82 Farmland Irrigation Methods and Proportion in the Qinlian Region

4.3.2.5 Summary

The main irrigation methods in the four surveyed Regions were ditches, pipe and manual

labor. Irrigation was mainly arranged via manmade ditches in the farmlands, reaching a

proportion 87.67% (Figure 4-83). The general proportion of fields which needed irrigation was

nearly 75%, while that in Yulin Region was over 90%. The proportions in the Beihai and

Nanning Regions dropped slightly for two reasons: (1) rich rainfalls in the Beihai Region and (2)

most of the land in the Nanning Region was dry farmland.

66

Figure 4-83 Overall Farmland Irrigation Methods and Proportion in Surveyed Regions

4.3.3 Quality and Quantity of Agricultural Irrigation Water


When comparing the villagers satisfaction with agricultural water, 85.96% of the surveyed

households said it was satisfactory or acceptable. Among those who said they were not satisfied,

62.5%, 25% and 12.5% respectively chose the options of "other", "suspended solids" and "smell",

implying their uncertainty and concerns about the water quality (Figure 4-84).

Figure 4-84 Satisfaction Rate and Reasons for Dissatisfaction with Agricultural Water Quality from

Villagers in the Nanning Region

67

Water shortage is a global problem. 77.19% of the villagers reflected water shortages in

agriculture (Figure 4-85). The water shortage period varied between different Regions, usually

taking 3 to 8 months, mostly 6 months.

Figure 4-85 Agricultural Water Supply and Shortage in the Nanning Region

The proportion of forest land area owned by villagers in the surveyed Region was small.

Hence, the agricultural and forest irrigation proportions diverged greatly; those who used 100%

of the water for agricultural irrigation accounted for 79.25%. It was found via the survey that the

villagers did not attach much importance to the improvement of agricultural irrigation facilities:

only 10.53% planned to implement improvements within three years, 42.11% planned to

implement them three years later, while 47.37% did not plan to do anything. The reasons behind

this may be that the villagers' concepts of protecting and utilizating water resources are not

strong, the government support is not sufficient, funds remain insufficient, etc.


In the Yulin Region, villagers satisfaction level with agricultural water was high. Those said

it was acceptable accounted for about 53.79% of the surveyed households, while those who said

they were not satisfied accounted for only for a third of the amount of satisfied households

(Figure 4-86).

68


Villagers in the Yulin Region

51.44% of the villagers reflected water shortages in agriculture (Figure 4-87). The water

shortage time varied between different Regions, from 3 to 6 months. For most the period was 3

months, accounting for 42.13%.

Figure 4-87 Agricultural Water Supply and Shortage in the Yulin Region

It was found via the survey that the villagers did not attach much importance to the

improvement of agricultural irrigation facilities; only 12.59% planned to implement

improvements within three years, 2.10% planned to implement three years later, while 85.31%

did not plan to do anything. The reasons behind this may be that the villagers' concepts of

69

protecting and utilizating water resources are not strong, the government support is not sufficient,

funds remain insufficient, etc.


When comparing the villagers satisfaction with agricultural water, 21.04% of the surveyed

households said it was satisfactory, while 54.27% said it was acceptable. Among those who said

they were not satisfied, 23.88%, 20.15% and 13.43% respectively chose the reasons of "color",

"smell" and "taste" (Figure 4-88).


Villagers in the Beihai Region

55.21% of the villagers reflected water shortages in agriculture (Figure 4-89). The water

shortage time varied between different Regions,from 3 to 8 months, the most common period

being 3 months. It is worth noting that in Liwu Village, Huapu Village, Fucheng Town, Hepu

County and Beihai City, the average annual water shortage time was over 7 months. Many

villagers lacked water for 5-6 months, others for 3-4 months

70

Figure 4-89 Agricultural Water Supply and Shortage in the Beihai Region


70% of the villagers in this Region thought the agricultural water acceptable. The numbers

for villagers who said they were satisfied and for those who were not satisfied were quite similar.

The reasons for dissatisfaction were mainly color, smell, taste and suspended solids. Compared

with the other three Regions, the reasons for dissatisfaction were clearer (Figure 4-90). 57.50%

of the villagers reported agricultural water shortages, and most said the shortage period was 3

months (Figure 4-91).


Villagers in the Qinlian Region

71

4-91

Figure 4-91 Agricultural Water Supply and Shortage in the Qinlian Region

4.3.3.5 Summary

Taking all the surveyed Regions into consideration, 17.56% of the respondents were not

satisfied with their agricultural water quality (Figure 4-92). The proportion in the Yulin Region

was the lowest, 11.75%, and the proportion in the Beihai Region was the highest, 24.7%. The

proportion differed greatly between the four Regions. The overall proportion of dissatisfaction

was lower than that of drinking water; the unsatisfactory aspects were mainly color, smell and

suspended solids.

72

Figure 4-92 Overall Satisfaction Rate with Agricultural Water Quality in the Surveyed Regions

50% of the villagers in the Beihai and Yulin Regions reflected agricultural water shortages,

the proportion in the Nanning Region increasing up to 77.19%. The overall percentage of

agricultural water shortages in the surveyed Regions reached 57.05% (Figure 4-93). As for the

length of water shortages per year, about 30% of the villagers in the Yulin Region thought the

period was 6 months, Over half of the villagers in the Beihai Region thought the period was less

than 3 months, and in the Nanning Region about 60% of the villagers thought it lasted six

months or longer, showing that Regionagricultural water was seriously insufficient in the

Region.

Figure 4-93 Overall Agricultural Water Supply in the Surveyed Regions

4.4 Domestic Sewage

4.4.1 Treatment and Discharge Methods of Domestic Water


As the living standards of the villagers have risen, their requirements for the family

environment has gradually increased. The proportion of flush toilets in the Nanning Region was

large, accounting for 85.25%. The proportion of three-section septic tanks was 49.25%, that of

biogas fermentation was 14.93%, and that of other methods or no treatment were 13.43% and

22.39%, respectively. This part may go into the farmland, fish ponds and seep into the

underground through natural ground flowing and open channels. As for the discharge method,

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53.85% was emitted through pipeline, 36.92% and 9.23% by natural flow and open channels

respectively (Figure 4-94).

Figure 4-94 Treatment and Discharge Way of Villagers Domestic Sewage in Nanning Region


68.67% of the villagers in the Yulin Region used three-section septic tanks, 6.01% used

biogas fermentation, 4.7% used other methods and 20.63% did not treat the water. As for

discharge of domestic sewage, 3.69% was emitted through pipes, 50.13% by open channels, and

46.17% through natural flow (Figure 4-95). Pipeline discharge, affecting the environment least,

was of the lowest proportion.

Figure 4-95 Treatment and Discharge Way of Villagers Domestic Sewage in the Yulin Region


As for sewage treatment methods, the proportion of three-section septic tanks was 58.82%,

biogas fermentation 6.76%, and other methods or no treatment were 5% and 29.41% respectively.

74

This part may go into the farmland, fish ponds and seep into the underground through natural

ground flowing and open channels. As for the discharge method, 9.06% was emitted through

pipelines, 44.71% and 46.22% by natural flow and open channels respectively, thus inevitably

resulting in huge amounts of waste and pollution (Figure 4-96).

Figure 4-96 Treatment and Discharge Way of Villagers Domestic Sewage in the Beihai Region


The proportions of three-section septic tanks, biogas fermentation, other methods or no

treatment accounted for 55.06%, 12.03%, 7.59% and 25.32% respectively. The main methods of

sewage discharge were through open channels and natural flowing. The proportion of pipeline

discharge was very low (Figure 4-97).

75

Figure 4-97 Treatment and Discharge Way of Villagers Domestic Sewage in the Qinlian Region

4.4.1.5 Summary

The main sewage treatment methods in the surveyed Regions were three-section septic

tanks and biogas fermentation, reaching 69.41%, yet the proportion of direct discharge without

treatment also accounted for nearly a quarter (24.68%) (Figure 4-98). Main emission methods

were open channel discharge and natural flow, with pipe emissions accounting for an extremely

low proportion. The main discharge methods in the Yulin and Beihai Regions were natural flow

and open channel discharge. In the Nanning Region the main discharge methods were pipe

emissions and natural flow, with the latter being applied more often.

Figure 4-98 Overall Treatment and Discharge Way of Villagers Domestic Sewage in the Surveyed

76

Regions

4.4.2 Discharge Destination of Domestic Water


Most of the villagers' sewage was discharged into fish ponds, farmland and rivers and

seeped into the ground, accounting for 33.33%, 12.28%, 8.77% and 45.61% respectively of the

total discharge (Figure 4-99), thus causing serious pollution to surface water.

Figure 4-99 Domestic Sewage Discharge Destinations in the Nanning Region

Regarding drinking water sources and wastewater discharge destinations, the proportion of

them not being in the same water body was 85.96%. However, 14.04% are of these are still in the

same water body. Most of the surveyed villagers thought the rivers were lightly polluted,

accounting for 78.95%, and those who thought the pollution was at a medium level or severe

level accounted for 10.53% and 1.75% respectively. Only 8.77% believed the rivers to be clean.

It could be drawn that most surface water in the surveyed Regions suffered from various degrees

of pollution.

The desire of the villagers to improve sewage treatment methods was not strong: only

17.54% planned to improve the situation within three years (generally this group was in better

living conditions) and 45.61% planned to improve after 3 years. 36.84% had no plans, which

may be a result of poor economic conditions or waiting for the government to take up

people-benefiting measures.


77

Most of the villagers' sewage in the surveyed Region was discharged into fish ponds,

farmlands, rivers and seeped into the ground, accounting for 6.85%, 20.05%, 30.46% and

31.98% respectively. The amount of rural sewage facilities was 0 (Figure 4-100).

Regarding drinking water sources and wastewater discharge destinations, the proportion of

them not being in the same water body was 95.80%, with only 4.20% being in the same water

body. Most of the surveyed villagers thought the rivers were lightly polluted, accounting for

69.23%, and those who thought the pollution was at a medium level or severe level accounted

for 12.59% and 11.19% respectively. Only 7.0% believed the rivers to be clean. It could be

drawn that most surface water in the surveyed Regions suffered from various degrees of

pollution.

The desire to improve sewage treatment way was not strong: only 15.38% planned to

improve the situation within three years, 10.49% planned to improve after 3 years, and 74.13%

had no plans.

Figure 4-100 Domestic Sewage Discharge Destinations in the Yulin Region


Most of the villagers' sewage in the surveyed Region was discharged into fish ponds,

farmlands, rivers and seeped into the ground, accounting for 11.27%, 23.74%, 13.19% and

43.65% respectively (Figure 4-101).

78

Figure 4-101 Domestic Sewage Discharge Destinations in Beihai Region


The main destinations of sewage were rivers, fields, and penetratation into the underground,

reaching over 95% of the total (Figure 4-102).

Figure 4-102 Domestic Sewage Discharge Destinations in Qinlian Region

4.4.2.5 Summary

The main destinations of sewage discharge were underground (41.24%), farmland (21.68%),

and rivers (19.84%), while the proportion of concentrated wastewater discharge (municipal water

pipes and rural sewage facilities) was very low, only about 2% (Figure 4-103).

79

Figure 4-103 Overall Domestic Sewage Discharge Destinations in the Surveyed Regions

For more than 80% of the villagers, drinking water sources and wastewater discharge

destinations were not in the same place. It could be deemed that the villagers disposed sewage as

they felt convenient and did not consider the environmental impact too much, which would

inevitably lead to the sewage seeping into the underground and polluting the groundwater. More

than half of the villagers believed the rivers were lightly polluted, with the main pollution

sources being from domestic sewage and garbage, chemical fertilizers and livestock breeding.

4.5 Relevant Opinions and Suggestions

4.5.1 Level of Satisfaction in Current Living Conditions


Regarding living conditions, 66.67% villagers are content with their current living

conditions. Those who are unsatisfied blame low income, environment, and transport, taking up

52.38%, 28.57%, and 14.29% respectively. Another 4.76% believe that insect pests have caused

a negative impact on their lives. (Figure 4-104)

80

Figure 4-104 Level of Satisfaction on Current Living Conditions by Villagers in Nanning


According to the survey, 66.06% villagers are satisfied with their living conditions. Of those

who are not happy with them, 44.54% think that their income level is relatively low, 46.22%

blame environmental issues, and 9.24% blame water shortages (Figure 4-105).

Figure 4-105 Level of Satisfaction on Current Living Conditions by Villagers in Yulin


In Beihai, 55.32% of local villagers are pleased with their living conditions. The remaining

people mainly have problems in the following aspects: 56.16% think the environment conditions

81

are relatively poor, followed by income, which takes up 41.72%. In addition, the concerns

include water shortages, drinking conditions, personal problems, transport, and housing (Figure

4-106).

Figure 4-106 Level of Satisfaction on Current Living Conditions by Villagers in Beihai


In this area, 56.25% of the rural villagers are satisfied with their current living conditions.

The rest of the villagers are mostly dissatisfied with the environment, representing 53.95%; the

next most common reason is low financial income, accounting for 31.58%; other factors include

water shortage and absence of tap water (Figure 4-107).

Figure 4-107 Level of Satisfaction on Current Living Conditions by Villagers in Qinlian

4.5.1.5 Summary

82

Based on the level of satisfaction of the villagers who reside in the surveyed areas, the

overall satisfaction rate is 60.6% and the dissatisfaction rate is 39.4% (Figure 4-108). The main

reasons for dissatisfaction are environmental problems and income issues. In Nanning and Yulin,

the number of villagers who feel displeased with their living conditions account for around one

third of the population. In Nanning, most of them are unhappy with their income. On the other

hand, in Beihai and Qinlian, the dissatisfaction rate is relatively high, reaching 44%. Most of the

local citizens in Yulin, Beihai, and Qinlian cite environmental issues as the primary reason for

their dissatisfaction, while income is the second biggest reason.

Figure 4-108 Overall Level of Satisfaction on Current Living Conditions by Villagers in the Surveyed

Areas

4.5.2 Willingness to Improve the Environment


When looking at improvement projects that villagers are hoping to be implement, aside

from centralized sewage treatment (21.26%), the percentages of desires for other projects are

evenly distributed. Ranging from governance of water body pollution, centralized treatment of

garbage, transport and improvement of housing to improvement of drinking water, the

percentages are all between 14.17 and 18.11 (Figure 3-103).

83

Figure 4-109 Willingness to Improve the Environment by villagers in Nanning

Notes: From Figure 4-109 to Figure 4-113, water treatment means polluted water body treatment,

improve drinking water means improve drinking water quality.


Of all improvement projects, the people in Yulin prefer to see the following changes:

improvement of sewage treatment (19.30%), garbage treatment (16.73%), improvement of

drinking water (16.73%), and improvement of transport (17.54%). Other changes they would

like to see happening include governance of water body pollution, improvement of village

surroundings, and improvement of housing conditions (Figure 4-110).

Figure 4-110 Willingness to Improve the Environment by villagers in Yulin

84


Of all improvement projects they hope to see implemented, the lowest percentage accounts

for the improvement of housing (7.11%). Sewage treatment, improvement of drinking water, and

improvement of village surroundings enjoy wide support, taking up 21.49%, 18.09%, and

16.88% respectively (Figure 4-111).

Figure 4-111 Willingness to Improve the Environment by villagers in Beihai


Of all the improvement projects, the villagers in Qinlian would like to see improvement of

drinking water conditions the most, accounting for 22%. Improvement of villages surrounding

environment accounts for 18.52%, ranking the second highest. Except for willingness to improve

transport, which they think is the least important and only accounts for 5.66%, they still hope to

see improvements in sewage treatment, water body governance, garbage disposal, housing

conditions and so forth, the proportion of each varying between 10% and 15% (Figure 4-112).

85

Figure 4-112 Willingness to Improve the Environment by villagers in Qinlian

4.5.2.5 Summary

According to surveys in the researched areas, villagers primary hopes for improvement in

terms of environmental issues are mainly focused on centralized sewage treatment, governance

of water body pollution, centralized treatment of garbage, and improvement of drinking water

conditions. Of these the most pressing needs are for sewage treatment and improvement of

drinking water quality, accounting for 19.06% and 18.19% respectively. The people also hope to

see changes in garbage disposal, the surrounding environment, and governance of water body

pollution, percentages ranging between 13% and 15%. In addition, the people hope that the

transport and housing conditions could also be improved (Figure 4-113).

Figure 4-113 Overall Willingness to Improve the Environment by villagers in the Surveyed Areas

86

4.5.3 Reasons for Restricting the Development of Villages


Regarding reasons for restricting development, local villagers list 12 reasons (Figure 4.114).

The most prominent problems include weak economic foundation, poor road conditions,

insufficient water sources and lack of transport conditions, representing 20.75%, 18.87%,

15.09% and 11.32% respectively. The overall concern over pollution also reached 11.32%,

although in rather diverse aspects, including massive polluted spots, water body pollution,

garbage disposal, air pollution, etc.

Figure 4-114 Reasons for Restricting the Development of Village in Nanning


Most villagers trace the factors that limit the development of their village to inconvenient

transportation, insufficient funding, lack of government support and unavailability of technology,

accounting for 26.96%, 25.90%, 10.69% and 12.05% respectively (Figure 4-115). The peoples'

concern over pollution also reaches 6.63%. Other reasons are also involved, such as water

shortage, lagging notion, insufficient labour, and land infertility.

87

Figure 4-115 Reasons for Restricting the Development of Village in Yulin


Most villagers blame insufficient funding, environmental pollution, and weak government

support for restricting village development, accounting for 19.44%, 19.13%, and 13.37%

respectively. Lack of technology, inconvenient transportation, and lagging notion each take up

approximately 10%. Lack of labour (6.69%), infertile land (5.29%), and water shortages (4.67%)

are also factors mentioned (Figure 4-116).

88

Figure 4-116 Reasons for Restricting the Development of Village in Beihai


Regarding elements that undermine village development, most people believe the most

common are lack of funding, insufficient government support and absence of technology,

altogether making up 50%. Shortage of labour and environmental pollution are among other

important factors (Figure 4-117).

Figure 4-117 Reasons for Restricting the Development of Village in Qinlian

4.5.3.5 Summary

Across all investigated areas, 20.84% villagers assert that the lack of village development is

caused by insufficient funding. 15.32% think the reason is inconvenient transport, and 13.20%

believe the government does not grant enough support. Other factors, including lack of technical

support, environmental pollution and lagging notion account for 12.81%, 12.31%, 6.63%

respectively, whereas water shortages, shortage of labour and infertile land represent 18.89%

altogether (Figure 4-118).

89

Figure 4-118 Overall Reasons for Restricting the Development of Villages in Surveyed Areas

4.5.4 Willingness to Fund Projects that Improve Drinking Conditions and

Sewage Treatment


When asked how much they would be willing to contribute to the funding of projects on

improvement of drinking water conditions and sewage treatment (initiated by the government),

villagers basically are willing to pay less than 50% (Figure 4-119). The main reason is that they

have no idea what kinds of amounts are needed for the projects, and therefore they are unable to

provide an answer based on their financial capacity.

90

Figure 4-119 Villagers Willingness to Fund Projects that Improve Drinking Conditions and Sewage Treatment

in Nanning


As for projects launched by the government that would improve drinking water conditions

and sewage treatment problems, the majority of local people are willing to pay less than 500

yuan (Figure 4-120). The seemingly small amount of funds they are willing to commit is a result

of their poor living conditions.


in Yulin

91


As for funding projects launched by the government that would improve drinking water

conditions and sewage treatment problems, most local villagers are willing to pay less than 500

yuan (Figure 40-121); however, 10% of them would be pleased to offer between 500 and 1000

yuan, and a few of the people would even offer more than 1,000 yuan, This indicates that the

local people in this area have a certain level of awareness regarding improvements in drinking

water quality and sewage treatment.

4-121


in Beihai


Similar to the other three areas, villagers in Qinlian in general are only willing to contribute

less than 500 yuan to improve drinking water quality and sewage treatment. However, its worth

noting that the amount of funds they are willing to commit is between 100 yuan and 500 yuan,

higher than that in the other three areas (Figure 4-122).

92


in Qinlian

4.5.4.5 Summary

As for contributing to projects launched by the government that would improve drinking

water conditions and sewage treatment problems, most villagers are ready to part with less than

500 yuan (Figure 4-123). As most rural families in the surveyed areas have very limited income,

they cannot afford large amounts of funding; thus, most people hope for government support.

Nevertheless, a few locals have a stronger desire to improve their drinking water conditions and

sewage treatment, and are therefore willing to contribute more money.


in the Surveyed Areas

93

4.5.5 Utilization of Biogas Slurry and Biogas Residue


As for utilization of biogas and its by-products, most villagers are willing to use biogas

slurry to irrigate farmland and use biogas residue as fertilizer, accounting for 78.95% and

84.21%. The remaining locals who are reluctant think that either the transport distance is too

long or collecting is not convenient (Figure 4-124 and Figure 4-125).

Figure 4-124 Villagers Points of View on Using Biogas Slurry to Irrigate Farmland in Nanning

Figure 4-125 Villagers Points of View on Using Biogas Residue as Fertilizer in Nanning


As for utilization of biogas and its by-products, most villagers in Yulin (86.40%) are willing

to use biogas slurry to irrigate farmland. The ones who are unwilling claim that slurry collection

94

is not convenient and causes too much trouble (44.23%), is too dirty (19.23%), is not effective

(13.46%) or transport distance is too long (11.54%). The other 11.5% think that the biogas tanks

are not good or the conditions are not favourable (Figure 4-126).

Figure 4-126 Villagers Points of View on Using Biogas Slurry to Irrigate Farmland in Yulin

Regarding utilization of biogas residue, 91.91% of the locals in Yulin indicate their

willingness to use it as fertilizer (Figure 4-127). Those who refuse to use it believe that the

collection and utilization processes are not convenient.

Figure 4-127 Villagers Points of View on Using Biogas Residue as Fertilizer in Yulin


83.29% citizens in the surveyed area in Beihai are willing to utilize biogas,; the rest think

that the collection and utilization processes are not convenient, reaching 42.62%, followed by

95

infeasible conditions (26.23%), long transport distances (16.39%), and "poor effect" or "too

dirty" (15%) (Figure 4-128).

Figure 4-128 Villagers Points of View on Using Biogas Slurry to Irrigate Farmland in Beihai

Regarding utilization of biogas residue, 82.07% of the local villagers in Beihai express their

willingness to use it as fertilizer (Figure 4-129). Those who refuse to use it believe that the

collection and utilization processes are not convenient or the conditions are unfavourable,

accounting for 68.96% altogether. At the same time, 15.52% villagers did not like the idea

because they are not used to it, or for other reasons.

Figure 4-129 Villagers Points of View on Using Biogas Residue as Fertilizer in Beihai


Most villagers in Qinlian are willing to use biogas slurry to irrigate farmland, representing

96

92.50%. The unwilling locals assert that the collection and utilization processes are not

convenient, constituting 54.55%; other reasons include long transport distances (27.27%) and

unfavourable conditions (18.18%) (Figure 4-130).

Figure 4-130 Villagers Points of View on Using Biogas Slurry to Irrigate Farmland in Qinlian

Regarding utilization of biogas residue, 93.75% of the local villagers in Qinlian are willing

to use it as fertilizer (Figure 4-131); those who decline to use it believe that the collection and

utilization processes are not convenient, reaching 60%. Another 30% of the villagers claim that

the transport distances are too long, and the remaining 10% state that biogas residue is too dirty

to be used as fertilizer.

Figure 4-131 Villagers Points of View on Using Biogas Residue as Fertilizer in Qinlian

97

4.5.5.5 Summary

Most villagers welcome utilization of biogas and are willing to use the residue fermented by

biogas. 85.09% of all villagers in the surveyed areas would be pleased to use biogas slurry for

irrigation purposes, particularly in Qinlian, where the proportion of population in favour of using

it reaches 92.5%. The proportion is relatively low in Nanning, accounting for less than 80%. The

small portion of villagers who are reluctant to utilize biogas and its residue cite reasons such as

inconvenient collection and utilization processes and long transport distances, altogether

representing over 60% of the reluctant ones. In addition, 15.44% think that the conditions are not

feasible, and another c. 20% claim that it is not effective or is too dirty (Figure 4-132).

Figure 4-132 Villagers Points of View on Using Biogas Slurry to Irrigate Farmland in all surveyed Areas

88.27% of all villagers in the surveyed areas are willing to use biogas residues as fertilizer;

especially in Qinlian and Yulin, where the proportion of population in favour of using it exceeds

90%. The small portions of villagers who are reluctant to use them think that the collection and

utilization processes are not convenient and transport distances are long, together representing

over 60% of the reluctant ones. 17.54% think the conditions are not feasible, and another 6.14%

believe that the result for using it would be poor. Other reasons include "not a good idea", "too

dirty", or "not accustomed to use it", representing less than 5% (Figure 4-133) of the villagers.

98

Figure 4-133 Villagers Points of View on Using Biogas Residue as Fertilizer in all Surveyed Areas

4.5.6 Others

Regarding plans to increase family income, villagers in the surveyed areas mostly choose to

work in other cities or increase the scale of breeding and plantations.

The villagers made several suggestions regarding improvement of living standards, such as

increase of subsidies and government support as well as improvement of transport. Some suggest

improvements for environmental conditions, such as improvement of drinking water conditions

and drainage conditions, resolving water shortages, and building sewage treatment facilities. Due

to the fact that there has been controversy over environmental problems caused during the

development of eucalyptus forest plantations, some local villagers brought up suggestions to ban

eucalyptus plantations.

99

5 Result of Surveys Targeting Government Authorities Regarding preservation of drinking water sources, the governments plans include: isolate

hills for forestry, reinforce publication and supervision, launch a clean the village campaign,

close enterprises that cannot meet the environmental standards, and organize centralized

treatment for garbage and sewage in areas where villagers live close by. Some local governments

also state that they plan to cut down eucalyptus within the distance of 500m from water sources

to ensure the purity of the sources.

Regarding water supply, local governments assert that problems regarding seasonal water

shortages, relatively poor water quality in some areas, unavailability of suitable water sources,

insufficient funding, and difficulty in laying pipelines still exist. Most villagers drink water from

their own wells (the depth usually being within 10 meters), which makes centralized

management unfeasible.

The treatment method for household sewage is via natural flow. Insufficient funds, sparse

living conditions of villagers and low awareness of pollution control make sewage difficult to be

collected and treated collectively.

Most local governments believe that the water quality under their jurisdiction is rather good,

and the main pollutants are primarily household sewage, animal excrement, pesticide residue,

and solid waste. The sampling of drinking water for testing purposes should include heavy

metals, microorganisms, and pH. The cost of treatment technologies for drinking water should be

relatively low, and the maintenance involves merely simple filtering and sterilizing.

In terms of sewage treatment, government authorities suggest to build biogas tanks, artificial

wetlands, and auxiliary sewage treatment plants. They believe that local villagers have a strong

desire for improving the conditions of water supply and drainage. Unfortunately, in rural areas,

there are many obstacles to conquer when it comes to implementation of water supplies and

sewage treatment projects; these obstacles include insufficient funding, difficulty in management,

low awareness, etc.

As for the enterprises responsibilities, the government authorities believe that self-constraint

is important. Everyone should set a good example by meeting the discharge standards.

100

6 Result of Surveys Targeting NGO NGOs that participated in the survey included: Beihai Citizen Volunteer Association, Bozhongren

Environment Protection Association of Beihai College of Beihang University, Greenovation Hub and Guangxi

Green Association.

Regarding issues on water environment, they thought that:

(1)The government should strengthen publicity to make the villagers understand the

importance of cherishing water and saving water, standardize pollution caused by cultivation and

crop farming, as well as guarantee the cleanliness of drinking water sources.

(2)The current problems in rural water supplies are seasonal water shortages,

non-compliance of water quality (agricultural non-point pollution and pollution caused by

small-size breeding), and the villagers lack of water protection consciousness.

(3)Random discharge of domestic sewage pollute the surface water and underground water

to a certain extent, yet at present there is no corresponding supervision mechanism.

(4)The monitoring items of the villagers drinking water quality should include: turbidity,

hardness, PH, dissolved oxygen, organic and toxic substances, bacteria, ammonia nitrogen, and

pesticide residues (investigate the pesticide types). Technologies that can be used for

improvement of drinking water quality are: supporting sewage treatment equipment, filtration

and sterilization equipment, flocculation - precipitation - filtration process (suitable for

promotion in the countryside).

(5)The villagers have a strong desire to improve their drinking water quality, but at present

face problems of insufficient funding and difficulty in equipment management and maintenance.

(6)The enterprises should take the lead and work with villagers to reduce pollution caused

by production and domestic life.

101

7 Conclusion

7.1 Basic Information In the four areas investigated, the age proportion of villagers between 20 and 60 exceeds

60%, representing the majority of the population. Villagers within that age range in Nanning

account for 72.06%, ranking highest among all four regions. The overall educational level of

villagers is relatively low, and only 20% of them have an educational background that is higher

than junior middle school. This directly affects behaviour and professional skills, as well as

family income.

The financial situations of these four areas are as follows: Nanning > Yulin > Beihai >

Qinlian. In principle, the income levels of local villagers are not high, and 90% of them have an

annual family income that is lower than 10,000 yuan. 90% of the income for rural families

comes from labour work in cities, and from plantation, breeding, and forestry industries.

Generally, most lands are used for forestry purposes, making up 64% and thus being

favourable for the development of forestry industry. In particular, Beihai has the largest

proportion of forest land area, and the eucalyptus plantation ratio is close to 100%. In Qinlian,

the ratio exceeds 95% as well.

Over 70% of villagers use less than 100 kg fertilizers per mu and less than 2.5 kg pesticides

per mu. This indicates that the production levels in the surveyed areas are low; on the other hand,

agricultural pollution plays a relatively limited role on the environment.

More than 60% of the local villagers consider their living conditions clean or relatively

clean, among which those who reside in Nanning have the highest satisfaction rate. In terms of

fuel, due to the increasing number of migrant rural workers and decreasing number of household

members, the amount of livestock kept by the families is limited, most of which is for own

consumption only. Therefore, without large amounts of excrement from livestock, it is rare for

families to use biogas in spite of the support from most families for using biogas, its slurry and

its residue. From an overall point of view, the environmental challenges faced by the villagers

are usually caused by random discharging of household sewage water, piling of garbage,

utilization of large amounts of fertilizers and pesticides, low educational level, and lack of

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implementation of environmental protection measures.

7.2 Drinking Water

There are five different types of sources for drinking water: tap water, mountain spring

water, water from wells, water from rivers and streams, and water from reservoirs. Among them,

water from wells takes up highest portion, accounting for 57.09%. The next most common

source is tap water, representing 21.51%. In general, except for Beihai, most of the wells are

shallow wells, constituting 73.09%.

According to research on drinking water quality, the majority of villagers hold a relatively

satisfactory attitude towards the quality of their drinking water. Nevertheless, their judgement on

quality is based merely on impression; in fact, close to 60% of the drinking water is untreated.

The most commonly used treatment method is natural sedimentation. There are relatively high

proportions of sterilized drinking water in Yulin and Nanning, mainly because they use tap water

more regularly.

Over 50% of local villagers are unsure about whether their drinking water complies with the

national drinking water standards. 80% of them judge the water quality purely by assumption.

24% of the villagers are not pleased with their drinking water quality, and most of them

think the problems exist in its colour, odour, smell, and suspended particles.

80% of the villagers consume less than 100 litres of water daily. As for water supplies,

33.76% believe that shortages exist. The shortage duration can be up to six months; in most

places, it is three months. Due to reasons related to funding and mindset, the villagers are not

very interested in improving any water-related aspects.

In the surveyed four regions, there are 21.44% of villagers believe the water quality has

become worse. The reasons for worse water quality include pollution of water pipes, eucalyptus

plantations and untreated sewage. The percentage of respondence who believes eucalyptus

causing worse water quality is 49.75%. There are 24.35% of villagers believe the water quantity

has decreased. The reasons for the water quantity decreased are eucalyptus plantations,

population increase and weather. The percentage of responence who believes eucalyptus causing

water quantity decrease is 52.65%.

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7.3 Water for Agricultural Use

Water for agricultural use in the surveyed areas comes mainly from tap water, well water,

mountain spring water, as well as from rivers, streams, and reservoirs. Of these, rivers and

streams are the most common sources, and water reservoirs is the second most common.

Methods for agricultural irrigation include water via trenches or pipes and water that is

carried manually. Artificial trenches account for 87.67%. In general, the agricultural land in the

surveyed area that requires irrigation accounts for almost 75% of the total land area.

The percentage of villagers that are unsatisfied of the quality of water for agricultural use is

17.56%. This proportion is the highest in Beihai, and the most common reasons for the

dissatisfaction are colour, odour, and suspended particles.

Shortages of water for agricultural use exist in various degrees in every surveyed area. The

shortage degree across all investigated areas reaches up to 57.05%. In most places, the duration

of shortages is less than six months, usually being three months (accounting for 46.46%).

7.4 Household Sewage

The most common treatment methods for household sewage are three-section septic tanks

or biogas fermentation, accounting for 69.41% in total. However, untreated sewage discharge

also accounts for 24.68%. The most common discharge methods for household sewage are via

open trenches or through natural flow, representing over 90%.

Most of the discharged sewage in the researched areas infiltrates into underground (41.24%),

into farmland (21.68%), and into rivers (19.84%). The proportion of centralized treatment and

discharge for sewage (with municipal underground pipes and rural area sewage facilities) is very

low, at only 2%. Nevertheless, over 80% of the sewage is discharged to a place that is different

from the sources of drinking water.

Over half of the people surveyed believe that the rivers in their area are slightly polluted.

The main sources of pollution include household sewage, garbage, fertilizers, pesticides, and

livestock breeding.

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7.5 Relevant Views and Suggestions

Across all investigated areas, 39.4% of the villagers are unsatisfied with their current living

conditions, mainly regarding the environment and financial income.

Regarding environment, the villagers' greatest hopes lie in sewage treatment and the

improvement of drinking water, which account for 19.06% and 18.19% respectively; the people

also wish to see improvements in garbage disposal, the general surrounding environment, and

treatment of pollution in bodies of water.

The people think that lack of funding is the main reason restricting the development of

villages, in addition to inconvenient transportation, insufficient support from the government,

lack of technical support, and environmental pollution.

Regarding the governments intention to help improve the situation of drinking water and

sewage treatment, the average amount of financial contribution that the villagers are willing to

make is less than 500 yuan in most cases in the researched areas. This is mostly because the

family incomes among the households are relatively low, thus making sizeable financial

commitments unfeasible. Therefore, most people set their hopes on government support.

The majority of local villagers welcome the idea of using biogas. 85% of them are willing

to use residue from biogas fermentation, particularly the villagers in Qinlian. Those who are

reluctant to use biogas residue cite reasons such as "inconvenient collection" and "long distances

of transport".

In the investigated areas, villagers primary methods for increasing their income include

working in cities and increasing their scale of animal breeding. On the other hand, they also hope

to receive more subsidies, to obtain more support from the government, to improve transport

conditions, to improve the quality of drinking water and drainage, to solve water shortages, and

to build sewage treatment facilities.

7.6 Actions and Suggestions from Authorities Regarding the Water

Environment

Regarding the preservation of drinking water source,s the governments plans include: to

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isolate hills for forestry, launch a clean the village campaign, and organize centralized treatment

for garbage and sewage.

The primary reasons for water shortages include seasonal drought, unavailable water

sources, insufficient funding, and difficulties in laying pipelines.

It is proposed to build biogas tanks, artificial wetlands, and auxiliary sewage treatment

plants; however, in reality, sewage collection and centralized treament is difficult to arrange

because funding is not sufficient and the villagers live too far apart.

Most local governments assert that the water quality under their jurisdictions is relatively

good. The sampling of drinking water for testing purposes should include heavy metals,

microorganisms and pH. The testing indicators of drinking water should include heavy metals,

microorganisms and pH. For drinking water treatment technology, its suggested to choose

filtering and sterilizing with relatively low cost and simple maintenance.

7.7NGOs' Suggestions for Regarding the Water Environment

Government should reinforce communications and regulate pollution sources (such as

breeding and plantation industries) in order to maintain the cleanness of drinking water sources.

Currently, the main reasons for water supply shortages include seasonal droughts,

unqualified water quality, and lack of awareness for water source preservation of villagers.

Local villagers have a strong desire to improve the quality of their drinking water, but the

problems at hand include lack of funding and difficulties in managing and maintaining the

required equipment.

7.8 Suggestions for Pilot Project

Taking into account comprehensive opinions and considerations from villagers, government

authorities and NGOs, the following suggestions are proposed for choosing and implementing a

pilot project:

(1) Currently, water-related issues exist prevalently in the rural areas of Guangxi. These

issues include the amount and quality of drinking water, sewage treatment, and water used for

irrigation purposes. Therefore it is suggested that the future pilot projects should cover all types

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of water-related projects, including drinking water supply projects, sewage treatment projects,

irrigation projects, and so forth.

(2) Regarding drinking water and sewage issues, the relevant authorities have enacted a

series of planning documents, policies, and measures. The applicants who intend to apply for the

pilot project should be in contact and consult thoroughly with the relevant authorities to propel

the implementation of the project effectively, applying related policies.

(3) At present, people living in the villages lack knowledge and awareness regarding how

to use water safely and how to perserve water sources effectively. This does not contribute to the

improvement of the rural water environment. It is proposed that publications and training should

an important element in the pilot project.

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