The master plan of groundwater withdrawal reduction in beneficiary regions along the phase I section of Middle Route of South-North Water Diversion Project (SNWDP), the drafting of which IWHR takes part in, has won the gold medal of 2015 national survey and design award of water and hydropower projects. The SNWDP is a major strategic infrastructure that is aimed at easing the serious water shortage in North China. The drafting of the master plan above mentioned began in 2005, initiated by the Ministry of Water Resources, and senior experts from the Department of Water Resources, IWHR have been fully involved in the drafting process.

As of today, the reduction targets and tasks, engineering measures, management measures, and supporting processes suggested by the master plan have been adopted in key state papers including Decisions on Accelerating Water Reform and Development by the State Council in 2011, Opinions on Implementing the Most Stringent Water Resources Management System by the State Council in 2012, and the Action Plan of Water Pollution Prevention and Treatment issued by the State Council.