Pollution resulting from increased human activities is threatening the drinking water quality in China. Lushui Reservoir was selected as a typical example to represent polluted drinking water sources with rapid social economic development. This study analyzed the pollution load of Lushui Reservoir from rural areas by estimating the chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonia nitrogen, total nitrogen and total phosphorus contributed by domestic sewage, agricultural activity, livestock breeding and aquaculture activity. Results show that the annual chemical oxygen demand, ammonia nitrogen, total nitrogen and total phosphorus loads in Lushui Reservoir were 180.44, 22.99, 33.15, and 3.99 t, respectively. The highest contribution to pollution load in all four aspects is domestic sewage, which was 89%, 96%, 82%, and 79%, respectively. Therefore, policies for sustainable development in the region should be directed primarily towards a reduction of domestic pollution
