Water is essential for production and the foundation of ecology. However, with changing climatic conditions, urban water security issues are becoming increasingly prominent. To address flood control challenges and promote the coordinated development of water conservancy in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Water Conservancy Development Conference was successfully held in Langfang, Hebei, on May 29. As a significant part of the conference, the Post-Disaster Water Ecological Environment Reconstruction and Improvement Forum was organized by Beijing Golden River Water Resources & Hydropower Construction Group Co., Ltd. and Handan Water Conservancy Project Office. As a co-organizer of the forum, ZEHO ECO's Vice President Xing Lei was invited to share insights on the "Design of Flood Retention Areas Based on Natural Characteristics and Post-Disaster Restoration of Water Conservancy Facilities."

Vice President Xing Lei of ZEHO ECO Delivers Invited Speech

Xing Lei explained that climate change leads to frequent extreme weather events, exacerbating the flood risks in cities globally. From an international perspective, while flood retention areas and water conservancy facilities perform traditional water management functions, they are also actively integrating eco-restoration-oriented blue-green systems to combine hydrological management with ecological functions. This nature-based approach to water conservancy infrastructure is a crucial measure to effectively address climate change challenges and mitigate flood risks.

In China, water security has become a critical national strategic need. The National Development and Reform Commission has allocated trillions of yuan in national bonds to support post-disaster reconstruction, disaster prevention, and water environment improvement projects in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, accelerating ecological restoration, drainage, and flood prevention infrastructure construction, and watershed management, thereby promoting high-quality development of water conservancy technology and flood control and disaster relief efforts.

ZEHO ECO closely follows national policies, particularly in key areas concerning public welfare, especially water security. Building on river and lake management and marine ecological restoration, the company has proposed the construction of eco-friendly water conservancy infrastructure based on natural characteristics. This approach ensures water security while focusing on the protection and construction of ecological and humanistic qualities, enhancing the ecosystem services of water conservancy facilities. It aims to achieve a virtuous cycle and sustainable use of water systems, promoting harmonious coexistence between humans, water, and nature. Leveraging the integrated solution of "water security + ecosystem construction + smart water management," the company successfully won the bid for the Xiyuhe Flood Retention Area Construction Project in Haidian District on April 22, 2024. This project will contribute positively to the development of sponge cities, enhance ecosystem service efficiency, and support smart water management in Haidian.

Eco-Friendly Water Conservancy Infrastructure Construction

Xiyuhe Flood Retention Area Construction Project in Haidian District

Additionally, through Nature-based Solutions (NbS), ZEHO ECO has accumulated extensive practical experience in eco-friendly water conservancy infrastructure: The Xuzhou Fengpei Canal Ecological Enhancement Project employs ecological engineering techniques to construct riverbank protections and buffer zones, achieving comprehensive goals of flood safety, soil and water conservation, rain and flood buffering, and water purification. The Shanxi Xiaoyi Shengxi Lake Urban Wetland Park uses natural ecological bank protection forms to address water safety issues during the rainy season, creating a flood control system consisting of sedimentation tanks, flood channels, and Shengxi Lake Reservoir. In Luan River Bay, Qianxi, Hebei, various ecological engineering systems have been applied to rehabilitate chaotic and dirty river sections, enrich aquatic plant communities, and restore natural river habitats, making it a classic case of "awakening the sleeping levee" in river ecological management.

Xuzhou Fengpei Canal Ecological Enhancement Project

Shanxi Xiaoyi Shengxi Lake Urban Wetland Park

Luan River Bay in Qianxi, Hebei

Xing Lei stated that ZEHO  will deepen its investment in the research and development of eco-friendly water conservancy infrastructure, providing more effective support for the scientific protection of the ecological environment and the collaborative management of water systems. Through related project practices, the company aims to alleviate urban waterlogging, support sponge city construction, conserve water sources, promote water resource recycling, and improve the ecological environment.