Assessment of China’s EIA Law for the prevention and control of water pollution in interregional Lake Taihu

The detrimental effects of rapid industrialization, urbanization, and the discharge of domestic and agricultural waste are threatening the serene beauty of the Taihu Lake Basin (TLB). Recognizing the urgent need to preserve the lake and improve its water quality, both the central and provincial governments have implemented stringent and noteworthy laws and policies, including the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Law in 2018, the amendment of the Environmental Protection Law (EPL) in 2015, and the introduction of the Environmental Protection Tax Law (EPTL) in 2018. This study uncovers some promising findings which indicate that despite a 17% increase in the non-agricultural population in the area since 2000, which is below the national average of 31%, there has been a noticeable rise in various contaminants in the TLB water, including total phosphorus (TP), potassium permanganate (CODMn), and total nitrogen (TN). Remarkably, this study reveals that despite the challenges posed by water pollution, the situation in the TLB is beyond control. Through enhanced monitoring, supervision, inter-departmental collaboration, and the streamlining of the EIA process, the pollution hazards can be addressed to restore the pristine state of the lake.