Abstract: The sustainable development of China should be harmonized with nature and the recovery and maintenance of water environment should be based on the healthy societal recycling of water. Furthermore, a systematic theory and strategy of water environmental recovery have been put forward. The new subject-water environmental science and engineering-should be established so as to provide scientific foundation and professional personnels. At present, all kinds of water-related work should be carried out in terms of water environmental conditions, which is the urgent requirements of objective practice.