Regulations on Urban Drainage and Sewage Disposal

Order of the State Council of the People's Republic of China No. 641

October 2, 2013

The Regulations on Urban Drainage and Sewage Disposal which were adopted at the 24th executive meeting of the State Council on September 18, 2013, are hereby promulgated and become effective as of January 1, 2014.

Li Keqiang, Prime Minister

Regulations on Urban Drainage and Sewage Disposal

Chapter I General Provisions

Article 1 These Regulations are formulated in order to strengthen the administration of urban drainage and sewage disposal, guarantee the safe operation of urban drainage and sewage disposal facilities, prevent and control water pollution and waterlogging disasters in urban areas, safeguard the life and property safety of citizens and public safety, and protect environment.

Article 2 These Regulations apply to the planning of urban drainage and sewage disposal, the construction, maintenance and protection of urban drainage and sewage disposal, and draining or disposing sewage to urban drainage facilities, as well as the prevention and control of urban waterlogging.

Article 3 The people's governments at or above the county level shall strengthen the leadership of urban drainage and sewage disposal, and include the urban drainage and sewage disposal in their national economic and social development planning.

Article 4 Urban drainage and sewage disposal shall follow the principles of respect for nature, overall planning, supporting construction, safety guarantee and comprehensive utilization.

Article 5 The competent housing and urban-rural development department under the State Council guides and supervises nationwide urban drainage and sewage disposal.
The competent urban drainage and sewage disposal department (hereinafter referred to as the "competent urban drainage department") of a local people's government at or above the county level is responsible for supervising and administering the urban drainage and sewage disposal within its administrative area.
Other relevant departments of a people's government at or above the county level, in accordance with the provisions of these Regulations and other relevant laws and regulations, are responsible for the affairs relating to the supervision and administration of urban drainage and sewage disposal according to their respective responsibility.

Article 6 The State encourages the adoption of various forms such as franchising and government purchase of services to attract the involvement of social capital in the investment, construction and operation of urban drainage and sewage disposal facilities.
The people's governments at or above the county level encourage and support the scientific and technical research on urban drainage and sewage disposal, popularize the application of advanced and applicable technology, processes, equipment and materials, promote the recycling of sewage and the transformation of sludge and rainwater into resources, and improve the capacity of urban drainage and sewage disposal.

Chapter II Planning and Construction

Article 7 The competent housing and urban-rural development department under the State Council, in conjunction with relevant departments of the State Council, draws up the national plan for urban drainage and sewage disposal, and specifies medium- to long-term development goals, development strategies, layout, tasks and safeguards, etc. of the national urban drainage and sewage disposal.
A competent urban drainage department in conjunction with relevant departments, according to the local economic and social development level and geographical and climatic features, draw up a plan for urban drainage and sewage disposal within its administrative area, and specify the goals and standards for drainage and sewage disposal, water discharge and drainage pattern, sewage disposal and recycling, sludge disposal and treatment requirements, measures for draining stagnant water, and the size, layout, construction sequence, construction land and safeguards of urban drainage and sewage disposal facilities; with regard to a city or town that is prone to waterlogging, also shall draw up a special plan for preventing and controlling urban waterlogging and include such plan in the plan for urban drainage and sewage disposal within its administrative area.

Article 8 A plan for urban drainage and sewage disposal shall be drawn up according to the relevant national economic and social development planning, urban plan, overall land utilization plan, water pollution control plan and flood control plan, and in line with the special plans for urban development and construction, road, green space, and water system, etc.
A special plan for preventing and controlling urban waterlogging shall be drawn up according to such factors as urban population and size, law of rainfall, and storm waterlogging risk, rationally specify the goals and requirements for preventing and controlling waterlogging, fully utilize natural ecosystems, and improve the capacity of infiltrating with stagnation, detaining and draining rain water.

Article 9 A competent urban drainage department shall submit its plan for urban drainage and sewage disposal to the people's government at the corresponding level and organize the implementation of the plan upon approval, and submit the plan to the competent urban drainage department of the people's government at the next-higher level for filing.
A plan for urban drainage and sewage disposal shall, after being announced upon approval, be strictly implemented; and, if it truly needs to be revised for the economic and social development, shall be submitted according to the original examination and approval procedures for examination and approval.

Article 10 A local people's government at or above the county level shall, according to the requirements of its plan for urban drainage and sewage disposal, increase investments in the construction and maintenance of urban drainage and sewage disposal facilities.

Article 11 The purpose of any land used for the construction of urban drainage and sewage disposal facilities specified in an urban and rural plan and a plan for urban drainage and sewage disposal shall not be altered without approval.

Article 12 A local people's government at or above the county level shall, according to the principle of "construction after planning" and its plan for urban drainage and sewage disposal, rationally specify the construction standards for urban drainage and sewage disposal facilities, and make an overall arrangement for pipe networks, pumping stations, and sewage disposal plants, as well as the construction and renovation of the facilities for drainage and sewage disposal such as sewage disposal and treatment, reclaimed water utilization, and stormwater detention and drainage.
With regard to the development and construction of the new area of a city or town, priority shall be given to the construction of drainage and sewage disposal facilities according to the construction sequence specified in a plan for urban drainage and sewage disposal; if a new area is not constructed or has been constructed but does not meet the relevant standards of the State, renovation shall be made according to the relevant annual renovation plan to improve the capacity of urban drainage and sewage disposal.

Article 13 A local people's government at or above the county level shall, according to the requirements for urban stagnant water drainage and the nature and conditions of urban land, strengthen the construction and renovation of rainwater pipe networks, pumping stations and the facilities for rainwater detention, and runoff discharge of rainwater exceeding the limits, etc.
With regard to the construction, renovation or expansion of any municipal infrastructure work, rainwater harvesting facilities shall be constructed to improve the capacity of green space, gravel ground, permeable paving and natural ground to infiltrate rainwater with stagnation, and rainwater harvesting facilities shall be constructed through the utilization of buildings, parking lots, squares, and roads, etc. to reduce rainwater runoff and improve the capacity of preventing and controlling urban waterlogging.
With regard to the construction of a new area or the renovation of an old urban area, relevant facilities shall be constructed according to the rainwater runoff control requirements specified in the relevant plan for urban drainage and sewage disposal.

Article 14 With regard to a project for constructing urban drainage and sewage disposal facilities under a plan for urban drainage and sewage disposal or a work for construction, renovation or expansion that needs to connect with urban drainage and sewage disposal facilities, the competent urban and rural planning department shall solicit the opinion of the competent urban drainage department when legally issuing the construction land planning permit. The competent urban drainage department shall put forward its opinion on whether or not the drainage design proposal meets the plan for urban drainage and sewage disposal and relevant standards.
A project owner shall construct and connect such facilities as pipe networks according to the drainage design proposal; if such facilities as pipe networks are not constructed or connected, the project is not allowed to be put into use. A competent urban drainage department or its authorized special agency shall strengthen guidance and supervision.

Article 15 After a work for construing urban drainage and sewage disposal facilities is completed, the project owner shall legally organize completion acceptance. The work may be put into use upon passing the completion acceptance, and the completion acceptance report and relevant materials shall be submitted to the competent urban drainage department for filing within 15 days upon the day on which the work passes the completion acceptance.

Article 16 After urban drainage and sewage disposal facilities pass completion acceptance, the competent urban drainage department shall, by such means as public bidding, determine an eligible facility maintenance and operation entity to take charge of the matter. Where a franchising contract or entrusted operation contract involves pollutant reduction and sewage disposal operation service charges, the competent urban drainage department shall solicit the opinions of the competent environmental protection department and the competent price department. The State encourages the implementation of the franchising system for urban sewage disposal. Specific measures are to be formulated by the competent housing and urban-rural development department under the State Council in conjunction with relevant departments of the State Council.
A maintenance and operation entity of urban drainage and sewage disposal facilities shall meet the following requirements:
1. having the qualification as a legal person;
2. having funds and equipment appropriate to the maintenance and operation of urban drainage and sewage disposal facilities;
3. having sound systems for operation management and safety management;
4. having technical leaders and personnel holding key positions who have received professional training and passed the assessment;
5. having appropriate business performance and experience in maintenance and operation; and
6. other requirements specified in the laws and regulations.

Chapter III Drainage

Article 17 A local people's government at or above the county level shall, according to the local rainfall law and rainstorm waterlogging risk and in light of meteorological and hydrological data, establish a geographical information system for drainage facilities, strengthen rainwater drainage management and improve the urban waterlogging prevention and control level.
A local people's government at or above the county level shall organize relevant departments and entities to take appropriate precautions and control measures, institute a mechanism for the early-warning, consultation and linkage of urban waterlogging prevention and control, play the flood carrying capacity of rivers and the detention function of reservoirs, strengthen the management of urban drainage facilities and the protection and realignment of rivers, take such measures as regular dredging according to local conditions, ensure the smooth drainage of rainwater, and jointly handle the prevention and control of urban waterlogging.

Article 18 A competent urban drainage department shall, according to the requirements of a special plan for preventing and controlling urban waterlogging, specify the construction standards for rainwater harvesting facilities, define rainwater drainage areas and outlets, and rationally control rainwater runoff.

Article 19 Except for arid areas, the construction of a new area shall be subject to the split-flow of rainwater and sewage; with regard to an area that is subject to the split-flow of rainwater and sewage, the split-flow renovation of rainwater and sewage shall be made according to the requirements of a plan for urban drainage and sewage disposal. The split-flow renovation of rainwater and sewage may be made while the renovation of an old urban area and road construction is made.
In an area that is subject to the split-flow of rainwater and sewage, rainwater pipe networks and sewage pipe networks shall not be connected to each other in the construction of a new area or the innovation of an old urban area.
In an area where conditions permit, efforts shall be made to gradually advance the harvesting and disposal of initial rainwater, rationally determine interception ratio, and strengthen the drainage regulation and control, and the pollution prevention and control, of initial rainwater by such means as setting up initial rainwater storage and constructing intercepting main.

Article 20 Any drainage entities and individuals within the coverage of urban drainage facilities shall discharge sewage into urban drainage facilities according to the relevant provisions of the State.
In an area subject to the split-flow of rainwater and sewage, no sewage may be discharged into rainwater pipe networks.

Article 21 Any enterprise, institution or individually-owned business (hereinafter referred to as "sewerage user") that engages in the activities of industry, construction, catering, and medical treatment, etc. that discharges sewage into urban drainage facilities shall apply to the relevant competent urban drainage department for collecting the permit for discharging sewage into drainage pipelines. The competent urban drainage department shall, according to the relevant standards of the State, focus on the examination of the matters that affect the safe operation of urban drainage and sewage disposal facilities.
A sewerage user shall discharge sewage according to the requirements of its permit for discharging sewage into drainage pipelines.

Article 22 A sewerage user that applies for collecting a permit for discharging sewage into drainage pipelines shall meet the following requirements:
1. the discharge outlets are set up according to the requirements plan for urban drainage and sewage disposal;
2. relevant pre-disposal facilities and water quality or quantity testing facilities are constructed according to the relevant provisions of the State;
3. discharged sewage meets the relevant national or local drainage standards; and
4. other requirements specified in the laws and regulations.
Where the requirements specified in the preceding paragraph, the competent urban drainage department will issue a permit for discharging sewage into drainage pipelines; specific measures are formulated by the competent housing and urban-rural development department under the State Council.

Article 23 A competent urban drainage department shall strengthen the guidance and supervision over the setting-up of discharge outlets and the construction of water quality or quantity testing facilities; if such facilities do not meet the planning requirements or relevant provisions of the State, sewerage users shall be required to take measures and make rectifications within a specified time limit.

Article 24 A drainage monitoring institution authorized by a competent urban drainage department shall monitor the water quality and quantity of the sewage discharged by sewerage users, and set up drainage monitoring archives. Sewerage users shall accept monitoring and provide relevant faithful materials.
Any automatic test equipment for water pollutant discharge that is installed by a sewerage user listed in a list of key pollution discharge entities shall be connected with the monitoring equipment of the competent environmental protection department. The competent environmental protection department shall share monitoring data with the competent urban drainage department.

Article 25 Where the maintenance or overhaul of urban drainage facilities is likely to affect drainage, the maintenance and operation entity of such urban drainage facilities shall notify relevant sewerage users 24 hours in advance; where it is likely to seriously affect drainage, the entity shall report the same in advance to the competent urban drainage department, take contingency response measures, and announce such measures.

Article 26 Any manhole set up on a motor vehicle road shall be constructed according to the relevant provisions of the State, and its carrying capacity and stability, etc, shall be guaranteed to meet the relevant requirements.
Manhole covers of drainage pipe networks shall have the functions of anti-falling and anti-theft and meet the requirement of structural strength.

Article 27 A competent urban drainage department shall institute an urban stagnant water drainage risk assessment system and a post-disaster assessment system according to the relevant provisions of the State, conduct a complete inspection over urban drainage facilities before flood season and order relevant entities to deal with any discovered problems within a specified time limit, and strengthen the improvement on such urban waterlogged areas as squares, overpass underneath, underground structure, and shantytowns, etc., intensify measures for draining stagnant water and increase necessary compulsory drainage facilities and equipment.
A maintenance and operation entity of such urban drainage facilities shall, according to the flood prevention requirements, conduct the complete inspection, maintenance and dredging of urban drainage facilities to ensure the safe operation of such facilities.
During a flood season, the flood prevention headquarters of a people's government with jurisdiction shall strengthen the patrol of waterlogged areas, and immediately take measures upon discovering any dangerous situation. Relevant entities and individuals shall obey the unified deployment or supervision of the flood prevention headquarters of a people's government with jurisdiction during a flood season.

Chapter IV Sewage Disposal

Article 28 A competent urban drainage department shall conclude a maintenance and operation contract with a maintenance and operation entity of urban sewage disposal facilities, specifying the rights and obligations of both parties.
A maintenance and operation entity of urban sewage disposal facilities shall, according to the laws, regulations and relevant provisions, as well as the maintenance and operation contract, conduct maintenance and operation, regularly release the information on maintenance and operation to the public, and accept the supervision from relevant departments and the public.

Article 29 A maintenance and operation entity of urban sewage disposal facilities shall guarantee that effluent quality meets the national and local discharge standards, and shall not discharge any effluents that do not meet the standards.
A maintenance and operation entity of urban sewage disposal facilities shall test effluent quality according to the relevant provisions of the State, report such information as water quality and quantity of sewage disposal and reduced key pollutants to the competent urban drainage department and the competent environmental protection department, and submit such information as production and operation cost to the competent urban drainage department.
A maintenance and operation entity of urban sewage disposal facilities shall submit the information on relevant costs to the competent price department according to the relevant provisions of the State.
A competent urban drainage department shall take into account key pollutant reduction when appraising and deciding the operation cost of urban sewage disposal.

Article 30 A maintenance and operation entity of urban sewage disposal facilities or a sludge disposal and treatment entity shall safely dispose of and treat sludge, guarantee that the disposed and treated sludge meets the relevant standards of the State, follow up and record the destination, use, consumption, etc. of the produced, disposed and treated sludge, and report the same to the competent urban drainage department and the competent environmental protection department. No entity or individual may dump, stack, discard, or litter any sludge.

Article 31 No maintenance and operation entity of urban sewage disposal facilities may shut down any urban sewage disposal facilities without approval and, if urban sewage disposal facilities are shut down wholly or partially due to overhaul or any other reason, shall report the same to the competent urban drainage department and the competent environmental protection department 90 working days in advance.
When any material change in influent quality or quantity is likely to cause effluent quality exceeding the limits, or any emergency that affects the safe operation of urban sewage disposal facilities occurs, the maintenance and operation entity of urban sewage disposal facilities shall immediately take emergency response measures, and report the same to the competent urban drainage department and the competent environmental protection department.
The competent urban drainage department or the competent environmental protection department shall promptly check and handle the case upon receiving such report.

Article 32 Drainage entities and individuals shall pay sewage disposal fees according to the relevant provisions of the State.
Where sewage is discharged into urban sewage disposal facilities or sewage disposal fees are paid, pollution discharge fees shall not be paid.
When a drainage monitoring institution is authorized by a competent urban drainage department to carry out relevant monitoring activities, such institution shall not charge any fee from maintenance and operation entities of urban sewage disposal facilities and sewerage users.

Article 33 Sewage disposal fees shall be included in the administration of local fiscal budget, and be exclusively used in the construction and operation of urban sewage disposal facilities and sludge disposal and treatment, and shall not be misappropriated for other purposes. The charging standards for sewage disposal fees shall not be lower than the cost of normal operation of urban sewage disposal facilities. Where the sewage fees charged are insufficient to pay the cost of normal operation of urban sewage disposal facilities due to any special reason, the local government shall provide subsidy.
The charge and use of sewage disposal fees shall be made known to the public.

Article 34 The competent environmental protection department of a local people's government at or above the county level shall legally supervise and inspect the effluent quality and quantity of urban sewage disposal facilities.
A competent urban drainage department shall supervise and assess the operation of urban sewage disposal facilities, and release the supervision and assessment to the public. Relevant entities and individuals shall provide cooperation.
A maintenance and operation entity of urban sewage disposal facilities shall guarantee the safe operation of an online monitoring system for influent and effluent quality.

Article 35 A competent urban drainage department shall, according to the performance of maintenance and operation contracts by maintenance and operation entities of urban sewage disposal facilities and the supervision and inspection results of effluent quality and quantity of urban sewage disposal facilities by the competent environmental protection department, appraise and decide the operation service charges for urban sewage disposal facilities. The relevant departments of a local people's government shall promptly appropriate the operation service charges for urban sewage disposal facilities in full amount.

Article 36 Where a competent urban drainage department discovers, during the supervision and assessment, that a maintenance and operation entity of urban sewage disposal facilities fails to conduct maintenance and operation according to the laws, regulations and relevant provisions, as well as the maintenance and operation contract, shuts down urban sewage disposal facilities wholly or partially without approval, or is under any other circumstance that such facilities fail to operate safely, such department shall require the maintenance and operation entity of urban sewage disposal facilities to take measures and make rectification within a specified time limit; if the entity fails to make rectification within the specified time limit, or such facilities fail to operate safely upon rectification, the competent urban drainage department may terminate the maintenance and operation contract.
Where a competent urban drainage department terminates the maintenance and operation contract concluded with a maintenance and operation entity of urban sewage disposal facilities, such department shall take effective measures to guarantee the safe operation of the urban sewage disposal facilities.

Article 37 The State encourages urban sewage disposal and recycling, and priority shall be given to industrial production, urban greening, road sweeping, vehicle washing, building construction and ecolandscaping, etc. in the utilization of reclaimed water.
A local people's government at or above the county level shall, according to the local water resources and water environment status, rationally determine the size of reclaimed water utilization, and formulate the guarantee measures that promote reclaimed water utilization.
Reclaimed water utilization is included in the unified allocation of water resources, and the competent water administrative department of a local people's government at or above the county level shall legally strengthen guidance.

Chapter V Maintenance and Protection of Facilities

Article 38 A maintenance and operation entity of urban drainage and sewage disposal facilities shall establish a sound work safety management system, and strengthen the routine patrol, maintenance, repair and curing of urban drainage and sewage disposal facilities such as manhole covers to guarantee the safe operation of such facilities.
In the event of engaging in the maintenance of pipe networks, urgent drainage, down-hole operation or confined space operation, the maintenance and operation entity of such facilities shall arrange a dedicated person to take charge of site safety management, set up a conspicuous warning mark, take effective measures to avoid the falling of personnel or vehicles, and promptly restore manhole covers, to ensure the abidance of the operating procedures and the implementation of safety measures. Relevant special operation personnel shall possess corresponding qualification certificates according to the relevant provisions of the State.

Article 39 A local people's government at or above the county level shall, according to the actual situation, legally organize the preparation of a contingency plan for urban drainage and sewage disposal, and make an overall arrangement for the materials necessary for responding emergencies and urban stagnant water drainage.
A maintenance and operation entity of urban drainage and sewage disposal facilities shall formulate its own contingency plan, equip itself with necessary emergency rescue equipment and apparatus, and regularly organize drilling.

Article 40 Where the sewage discharged by a sewerage user due to an accident or any other emergency is likely to endanger the safe operation of urban drainage and sewage disposal facilities, such sewerage user shall immediately take measures to eliminate harms, and promptly report the same to the relevant departments such as the competent urban drainage department and the competent environmental protection department.
After a safety accident or emergency of urban drainage and sewage disposal occurs, the facility maintenance and operation entity shall immediately initiate its own contingency plan, take preventive measures and organize urgent repairs, and timely report the same to the competent urban drainage department and relevant departments.

Article 41 A competent urban drainage department shall, in conjunction with relevant departments, define the scope of protection of urban drainage and sewage disposal facilities according to the relevant provisions of the State, and release the same to the public.
Within the scope of protection, if relevant entities engage in the activities that are likely to affect the safety of urban drainage and sewage disposal facilities, such as explosion, misering, piling, jacking, digging, and earth borrowing, they shall formulate a protection program with such entities as facility maintenance and operation entities and take appropriate safe and preventive measures.

Article 42 The following activities that endanger the safety of urban drainage and sewage disposal facilities are forbidden:
1. damaging or stealing urban drainage and sewage disposal facilities;
2. chiseling or blocking urban drainage and sewage disposal facilities;
3. discharging or dumping waste liquid or residue that is highly poisonous, flammable or explosive, or corrosive into urban drainage and sewage disposal facilities;
4. dumping the waste such as garbage, construction waste residues and slurry into urban drainage and sewage disposal facilities;
5. constructing the building, structure or any other facility that occupies urban drainage and sewage disposal facilities; and
6. any other activity that endangers the safety of urban drainage and sewage disposal facilities.

Article 43 The construction, renovation or expansion of any construction work shall not affect the safety of urban drainage and sewage disposal facilities.
Before a construction work commences, the project owner shall ascertain the information relating to underground urban drainage and sewage disposal facilities within the construction scope of the work. The competent urban drainage department and other relevant departments and entities shall provide relevant materials in a timely manner.
Where there is any urban drainage and sewage disposal facility such as drainage pipeline within the construction scope of a construction work, the project owner shall formulate a facility protection program with the construction entity and the maintenance and operation entity of such facility, and take relevant safety precautions.
Where an urban drainage and sewage disposal facility needs to be removed or changed due to project construction, the project owner shall formulate a program for such removal or change, report the same to the competent urban drainage department for examination and verification, and undertake the expenses for rebuilding or renovating such facility or taking provisional measures.

Article 44 A competent urban drainage department shall, in conjunction with relevant departments, strengthen the supervision and inspection over the operation, maintenance and protection of urban drainage and sewage disposal facilities, and release the information and result of such inspection to the public. When implementing the supervision and inspection, such department has the power to take the following measures:
1. entering the site to conduct the inspection or monitoring;
2. consulting or copying relevant documents and materials; and
3. requiring the entity or individual subject to the supervision and inspection to make an explanation for relevant issues.
The entity or individual subject to the supervision and inspection shall provide cooperation, and shall not hinder and obstruct any lawful supervision and inspection activities.

Article 45 An audit institution shall strengthen the supervision over the raising, management and use of the funds for the construction, operation, maintenance and protection, etc. of urban drainage and sewage disposal facilities, and announce the audit results.

Chapter VI Legal Liability

Article 46 Where a local people's government at or above the county level and its competent urban drainage department and other relevant departments, in violation of these Regulations, fail to make an administrative license or handle approval documents, discover any illegal act or refuse to investigate and handle the reporting of any illegal act, or commit any other act of failing to perform their responsibility according to these Regulations, the in-charge persons bearing direct responsibility and other persons subject to direct liability shall be punished legally; if the acts of in-charge persons bearing direct responsibility and other persons subject to direct liability constitute a crime, criminal liability shall be investigated legally.
Where, in violation of these Regulations, the supervision and inspection are not implemented after a permit for discharging sewage into drainage pipelines or pollution discharge permit is issued, the department issuing such permit and its functionaries shall handle the matter according to the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

Article 47 Where a competent urban drainage department, in violation of these Regulations, issues a permit for discharging sewage into drainage pipelines to a sewerage user that does not meet the statutory conditions, or refuses to issue a permit for discharging sewage into drainage pipelines to a sewerage user that meets the statutory conditions, the in-charge persons bearing direct responsibility and other persons subject to direct liability shall be punished legally; if the acts of the in-charge persons bearing direct responsibility and other persons subject to direct liability constitute a crime, criminal liability shall be investigated legally.

Article 48 Where, in violation of these Regulations, any project owner or construction entity in an area that is subject to the split-flow of rainwater and sewage connects rainwater pipe networks with sewage pipe networks, the competent urban drainage department shall order such entity to make correction, and impose a fine of not less than CNY50,000 but not more than CNY100,000 thereon; if any loss is caused, hold such entity liable for compensation legally.

Article 49 Where, in violation of these Regulations, any drainage entity or individual within the coverage of urban drainage and sewage disposal facilities fails to discharge sewage into urban drainage facilities, or discharge sewage into rainwater pipe networks in an area that is subject to the split-flow of rainwater and sewage, the competent urban drainage department shall order such entity or individual to make correction, and give a warning thereon; if they refuse to make correction within a specified time limit or a serous consequence is caused, impose a fine of not less than CNY100,000 but not more than CNY200,000 on the entity and a fine of not less than CNY20,000 but not more than CNY100,000 on the individual; if any loss is caused, hold them liable for compensation legally.

Article 50 Where, in violation of these Regulations, a sewerage user that fails to obtain a permit for discharging sewage into drainage pipelines discharges sewage into urban drainage facilities, the competent urban drainage department shall order such user to stop the illegal act, to take control measures within a specified time limit and to complete the formalities for a permit for discharging sewage into drainage pipelines, and may impose a fine of not more than CNY500,000 thereon; if any loss is caused, hold such user liable for compensation legally; if a crime is constituted, investigate criminal liability thereon legally.
Where, in violation of these Regulations, a sewerage user fails to discharge sewage according to the requirements of its permit for discharging sewage into drainage pipelines, the competent urban drainage department shall order such user to stop its illegal act and to make correction within a specified time limit, and may impose a fine of not more than CNY50,000 thereon; if a serious consequence is caused, revoke the permit for discharging sewage into drainage pipelines and impose a fine of not less than CNY50,000 but not more than CNY500,000 thereon, and may circulate a notice thereon to the public; if any loss is caused, hold such user liable for compensation legally; if a crime is constituted, investigate criminal liability thereon legally.

Article 51 Where the maintenance or overhaul of urban drainage facilities is likely to have impact or serious impact on drainage and, in violation of these Regulations, a maintenance and operation entity of such urban drainage facilities fails to notify relevant sewerage users in advance, or fails to report the same to the competent urban drainage department in advance to take contingency response measures, or fails to conduct the complete inspection, maintenance or dredging of urban drainage facilities according to the flood prevention requirements, affecting the smooth drainage in a flood season, the competent urban drainage department shall order such entity to make correction and give a warning thereon; if such entity refuses to make correction within a specified time limit or a serious consequence is caused, impose a fine of not less than CNY100,000 but not more than CNY200,000 thereon; if any loss is caused, hold such entity liable for compensation legally.

Article 52 Where, in violation of these Regulations, a maintenance and operation entity of urban sewage disposal facilities fails to test effluent quality according to the relevant provisions of the State, or fails to submit the information such as water quality and quantity of sewage disposal, reduced key pollutants and production and operation cost, the competent urban drainage department shall order such entity to make correction, and may impose a fine of not more than CNY50,000 thereon; if any loss is caused, hold such entity liable for compensation legally.
Where, in violation of these Regulations, a maintenance and operation entity of urban sewage disposal facilities shuts down urban sewage disposal facilities without approval, and fails to report in advance or take contingency response measures, the competent urban drainage department shall order such entity to make correction and giver a warning thereon; if such entity refuses to make correction within a specified time limit or a serious consequence is caused, impose a fine of not less than CNY100,000 but not more than CNY500,000; if any loss is caused, hold such entity liable for compensation legally.

Article 53 Where, in violation of these Regulations, a maintenance and operation entity of urban sewage disposal facilities or sludge disposal and treatment entity fails to follow up and record the destination, use, consumption, etc. of the produced, disposed or treated sludge, or disposed or treated sludge does not meet the relevant standards of the State, the competent urban drainage department shall order such entity to take control measures within a specified time limit and give a warning thereon; if a serious consequence is caused, impose a fine of not less than CNY100,000 but not more than CNY200,000 thereon; if control measures are not taken within a specified time limit, the competent urban drainage department may designate an entity capable of controlling such matter to take charge of the matter, and the expenses thereon shall be borne by the parties concerned; if any loss is caused, compensation liability shall be borne legally.
Where, in violation of these Regulations, any entity or individual dumps, stacks, discards, or litters any sludge without approval, the competent urban drainage department shall order them to stop the illegal act and to take control measures within a specified time limit, and give a warning thereon; if a serous consequence is caused, impose a fine of not less than CNY100,000 but not more than CNY500,000 on the entity and a fine of not less than CNY20,000 but not more than CNY100,000 on the individual; if they refuse to take control measures within a specified time limit, the competent urban drainage department may designate an entity capable of controlling such matter to take charge of the matter, and the expenses thereon shall be borne by the parties concerned; if any loss is caused, compensation liability shall be borne legally.

Article 54 Where, in violation of these Regulations, any drainage entity or individual does not pay sewage disposal fees, the competent urban drainage department shall order them to pay within a specified time limit and, if they refuse to pay within the specified time limit, impose a fine of not less than one time but not more than three times the payable sewage disposal fees thereon.

Article 55 Where, in violation of these Regulations, a maintenance and operation entity of urban drainage and sewage disposal facilities is under any of the following circumstances, the competent urban drainage department shall order such entity to make correction and give a warning thereon; if such entity refuses to make correction within a specified time limit or a serious consequence is caused, impose a fine of not less than CNY100,000 but not more than CNY500,000 thereon; if any loss is caused, hold such entity liable for compensation legally; if a crime is constituted, investigate criminal liability thereon legally.
1. failing to perform its responsibility for the routine patrol, maintenance, repair and curing of the facilities according to the relevant provisions of the State to guarantee the safe operation of such facilities;
2. failing to take preventive measures and organize urgent repairs in a timely manner; and
3. causing the lost or damage of manhole covers due to insufficient patrol or maintenance, resulting in any casualty or property loss.

Article 56 Whoever, in violation of these Regulations, engages in the activities that endanger the safety of urban drainage and sewage disposal facilities shall be subject to an order to stop illegal acts, to make restitution within a specified time limit or take any other remedial measure, and a warning, from the competent urban drainage department. In the event of refusal to take any remedial measure within a specified time limit or of serious consequence, such department shall impose a fine of not less than CNY100,000 but not more than CNY300,000 on an entity and a fine of not less than CNY20,000 but not more than CNY100,000 on an individual; if any loss is caused, hold them liable for compensation legally; if a crime is constituted, investigate criminal liability thereon legally.

Article 57 Where, in violation of these Regulations, relevant entity fails to formulate a facility protection program with the construction entity, the facility maintenance and operation entity and other entities and to take appropriate safe and preventive measures, the competent urban drainage department shall order such entity to make correction, and impose a fine of not less than CNY20,000 but not more than CNY50,000; if a serious consequence is caused, impose a fine of not less than CNY50,000 but not more than CNY100,000 thereon; if any loss is caused, hold such entity liable for compensation legally; if a crime is constituted, investigate criminal liability thereon legally.
Where, in violation of these Regulations, an urban drainage and sewage disposal facility is removed or changed without approval, the competent urban drainage department shall order such entity to make correction, to make institution or to take any other remedial measure and impose a fine of not less than CNY50,000 but not more than CNY100,000 thereon; if a serious consequence is caused, impose a fine of not less than CNY100,000 but not more than CNY300,000 thereon; if any loss is caused, hold such entity liable for compensation legally; if a crime is constituted, investigate criminal liability thereon legally.

Chapter VII Supplementary Provisions

Article 58 Where a sewerage user needs to obtain a pollution discharge permit according to the provisions of the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution, the competent environmental protection department is responsible for issuing such permit. Whoever discharges sewage in violation of the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution is subject to the penalty of the competent environmental protection department.

Article 59 These Regulations become effective as of January 1, 2014.