Dutch water law stipulates what should be taken as the basis and the priority of ecological requirements when water shortage occurs or may occur.

Dutch water law stipulates that when water shortage occurs or may occur, the distribution of available surface water should be determined by administrative order according to the priority of social needs and ecological requirements.

Expanding knowledge-water resources

1. According to the definition of water resources in the International Hydrological Glossary of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), water resources refer to water sources that can be used or may be used.

2. According to the definition of water resources published by the National Committee for the Examination and Approval of Scientific and Technical Terminology, water resources refer to water obtained from nature with a certain quantity and available quality that can be supplemented and utilized.

3. The development and utilization of water resources is an aspect of transforming and utilizing nature, and its purpose is to develop social economy. At the beginning, the goal of development and utilization is relatively simple, and it needs a fixed supply.

4. With the continuous development of industry and agriculture, it has gradually become a multipurpose, comprehensive, planned and controlled development and utilization. At present, all countries emphasize that economic, social and environmental benefits must be considered when developing and utilizing water resources.

5. The content of water resources development and utilization is very extensive, such as agricultural irrigation, industrial water, domestic water, hydropower, shipping, port transportation, freshwater aquaculture, urban construction, tourism and so on. Flood control and waterlogging prevention are other aspects of water resources development and utilization.