ABSTRACT
During the period 1978–2008, China’s legal system for water management experienced a positive evolution process, but all the management measures were heavily reliant on administrative regulation with limited application of a market mechanism, which was exacerbated by limited public participation and offset by distorted incentives on the part of the government officials in law enforcement. Empirical study reveals that the current legal reform is inadequate to redress the challenges in water management. An integrated water management system based on a market mechanism, public participation, and a sensible incentive for government officials is advisable to resolve the looming water crisis in China.
