China's Minister of Water Resources on Monday said China would have an average annual water shortage of 40 billion cubic meters, if it stopped over-tapping groundwater.

Wang made the remarks in a report on water resources economization, protection and utilization to China's top legislature, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC).

More than 400 of the 669 Chinese cities are facing water shortages, and an average of 20 million hectares of farmland are hit by drought every year, Wang said.

Water pollution is also severe in the country, he said, as just38.1 percent of its river water is drinkable. In 2003, the country discharged 68 billion tons of sewage, double its amount from 1980.

Wang said 31 of China's 52 major lakes suffer severe pollution and that the safety of nearly 300 million rural citizens' drinking water can not be guaranteed.

China's total area of lakes has shrunk by 15 percent from that in early 1950's and total area of wetland has shrunk by 26 percent from the 1950's.

"Although problems and challenges exist, China's water resources are still able to support the country's sustainable development, as long as we fully economize on water resources, prevent water pollution and utilize water resources reasonably," said Wang.

Source: Xinhua