Water quality issues in the Taihu Basin have led to a shortage of clean water. By analyzing water resources and pollution levels, it was found that a significant amount of surface water is unsuitable for drinking or industrial use. The demand for clean water exceeds the available supply, especially in the lower parts of the basin. Despite abundant water resources, pollution has caused a severe shortage of clean water, impacting various uses like water supply and recreation. The pollution problem has worsened over the past two decades, with 42% of the runoff in the basin being severely polluted. This pollution-induced water shortage poses a significant challenge for sustainable development in the Taihu Basin.