This study presents a comprehensive nationwide water scarcity assessment in China, explicitly incorporating water quality requirements for human uses. The results reveal that inadequate water quality significantly exacerbates China's water scarcity, which is unevenly distributed. North China consistently faces water scarcity, while South China experiences seasonal scarcity due to poor water quality despite sufficient quantity. Over half the population is affected, highlighting the urgent need for improved freshwater quantity and quality management.

Ting Ma, Siao Sun, Guangtao Fu, Jim W. Hall, Yong Ni, Lihuan He, Jiawei Yi, Na Zhao, Yunyuan Du, Tao Pei, Weiming Cheng, Ci Song, Chuanglin Fang, Chenghu Zhou