The Anhui Chao Lake Environmental Rehabilitation Project (ACLERP) calls for the laying of 100 km of sewer and reaching 30,000 m33textasciicircum3/d in capacity at the wastewater treatment plant. The “Masterplan Ökologische Seestadt Chaohu” (https://www.wasser-hannover.de/de/projekte/oekologische-seestadt-chaohu) names the remaining deficits of ACLERP and gives concrete recommendations for further plans. In the model region of Chao Lake (Chaohu), the fragile interplay of natural and settlement space is currently pronounced and endangered. The region around the lake with the major cities of Hefei and Chaohu City is one of the fastest growing urban areas in the world. The city of Chaohu draws its drinking water from Chao Lake and its further development is strongly linked to its water quality. The increasing anthropogenic pollution components of the lake have led to a significant deterioration of water and water quality in recent years.