Evaluating the strictest water resources management policy in China based on the S-CAD method

Abstract The strictest water resources management (SWRM) policy is an important policy to promote the rational use of water resources and sustainable water development in China. An evaluation of the SWRM policy is conducive to the SWRM's optimization and water governance. The S-CAD (Subjectivity – Consistency, Adequacy, Dependency) method is used to assess the implementation effect and formulation of the SWRM policy. The results show that the SWRM policy has a clear logic, goals, and strategy; the goals reflect the government's policy stands and the policy goals can be fully realized through the implementation process. In addition, the SWRM policy's effect is high, which helps solve the challenges of maintaining water resources, the water environment, and water security in China, and has a positive impact on water use efficiency. This study enriches the knowledge body of water policy evaluation and water governance both in China and across the world