Integrated wastewater discharge standard (GB 8978-1996).

This Standard aim at controlling water pollution, protecting good water quality of surface water like rivers, lakes, canals, reservoirs and ocean as well as groundwater. It also serves the purpose of maintaining human health and ecological balance and promoting national economic development and urban and rural development.
The Standard provides the upper limit for 69 pollutant concentrations and the total allowed water discharge for some industries in different period according to the flow direction of wastewater. It applies to existing water treatment facilities for discharge management, environmental impact assessment, design, check upon completion of related construction projects and their management after being put into operation.