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The article examines the legal problems and prospects of ensuring the irrigation of agricultural land in conditions of a lack of traditional water resources. Modern hydromelioration reform in the form in which it is currently implemented is not a panacea. It mostly solves property and administrativefunctional issues, but leaves a call for attention to environmental and natural resource problems. In view of the tendency to decrease the quantity and quality of water in the country, the question arises about the prospects of irrigation under such conditions. In recent decades, there has been a constant search for innovative solutions of not only technological, but also legal nature in the world for solving the complex problems of distributing limited resources and providing agriculture with vital moisture for maintaining food security. The objective problem of the lack of water suitable for irrigation against the background of the rapid growth of such needs is getting worse every year and in the long run can endanger the food security of the country. World experience demonstrates the approbation of various approaches to solving the problem of sufficient irrigation. According to the main way of achieving the goal, these approaches are presented by us in the form of three groups: 1) use of alternative sources of water resources (use of underground water, treated wastewater, desalinated salt water); 2) application of alternative irrigation technologies (modernization of irrigation systems; use of micro-irrigation); 3) use of alternative crops (voluntary and mandatory transition). Having analyzed the foreign and domestic experience of the legal regulation of selected methods of solving the problem of water shortage for irrigation, it is possible to trace some general trends: a) self-removal of the state from the implementation of large-scale irrigation projects, the need for which is generated by global environmental challenges; b) slow ecological transformation of legislation regulating agricultural irrigation; c) the predominance of separate legal norms and separate legal mechanisms aimed at regulating alternative irrigation, and the lack of comprehensive regulatory and legal support for the reconstruction of the irrigation system taking into account objective environmental problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yellow River Basin (YRB) is an important grain and energy production base in China. However, the sustainable development of the YRB is constrained by water scarcity. Identifying the key factors influencing water use changes through the lens of the Water–Energy–Food Nexus (WEF-Nexus) is essential for sustainable resource use in the YRB. This study analyzed the spatial and temporal changes in water use in the energy and food sectors from 2000 to 2020 and identified the key factors influencing water use changes based on the generalized Divisia index method. Then, the water use change induced by the WEF-Nexus was evaluated. The results indicated that (1) the scale of energy production is the key factor leading to increased water use, with a total contribution of 21.345 billion m3 from 2000 to 2020. The intensity of energy water use is the key factor in inhibiting increased water use, reducing regional water use by 18.853 billion m3. (2) In the past 20 years, the changes in water use by energy and food production in the midstream and downstream regions showed nonsignificant downward trends and upward trends in the upstream region. Thus, the stability and sustainability of water use downstream have strengthened, while the water use sustainability upstream and the stability of water use midstream should further increase. This paper will support sustainable water use in the YRB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adoption of the water footprint concept and its application in assessing water stress can provide valuable insights into the sustainable use of water resources in agricultural production. The objective of the present study is to calculate the agricultural water stress index (AWSI) using the water footprint framework and water scarcity indices, namely blue water scarcity (BWS), water stress index (WSI), water self-sufficiency (WSS), water dependency (WD), and water poverty (WP) indices in Iran's agricultural sector during the period of 2008–2019. Subsequently, the spatiotemporal patterns of water scarcity indices were examined at both the provincial and national levels. The findings reveal that the agricultural water footprint (AWF) amounted to approximately 195.6 Gm3, with AWFblue, AWFgreen, and AWFgray accounting for 85.2%, 6.9%, and 7.9%, respectively. The average national AWSI was estimated to be 0.94, indicating a state of extreme stress, and exhibiting an upward trend from 2012 to 2019. The southern and central regions, notably Yazd, Kerman, Tehran, and Hormozgan, have experienced severe and extreme water stress (AWSI > 1.38). Conversely, the humid and Mediterranean regions in the north, northwest, and west of Iran experience varying degrees of low to moderate water scarcity. Nevertheless, the western region (West Azerbaijan) and the northwest region (Zanjan and Hamedan) have transitioned from a state of moderate stress to a high-stress category (AWSI > 0.6). Based on the results, regions where BWS < AWSI < WSI exhibit lower levels of WP and WSS, but higher levels of WD. Conversely, in regions where AWSI > BWS > WSI, the significant diversity of agricultural products has contributed to an increase in WP and WSS, along with a decrease in WD. The AWSI, based on the water footprint concept, proves to be more suitable for reflecting regional water scarcity compared to existing water stress indices, particularly in arid and semi-arid agricultural production regions, due to the demonstrated environmental impacts of sustainable agricultural production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water scarcity is exacerbated by rising water use and climate change, yet state-of-the-art Earth system models typically do not represent human water demand. Here we present an enhancement to the Community Earth System Model (CESM) and its land (CLM5) and river (MOSART) components by introducing sectoral water abstractions. The new module enables a better understanding of water demand and supply dynamics across various sectors, including domestic, livestock, thermoelectric, manufacturing, mining, and irrigation. The module conserves water by integrating abstractions from the land component with river component flows and dynamically calculates daily water scarcity based on local demand and supply. Through land-only simulations spanning 1971–2010, we verify our model against known water scarcity hotspots, historical global water withdrawal trends, and regional variations in water use. Our findings show that non-irrigative sectoral consumption has an insignificant effect on regional climate, while emphasizing the importance of including all sectors for water scarcity assessment capabilities. Despite its advancements, the model's limitations, such as its exclusive focus on river water abstractions, highlight areas for potential future refinement. This research paves the way for a more holistic representation of human–water interactions in ESMs, aiming to inform sustainable water management decisions in an evolving global landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Explicit identification of hydrochemical processes and their controlling factors within groundwater systems is critical for the sustainable utilization of water resources in coastal urban areas. This study was undertaken in the North Coastal Region of Jiaozhou Bay (NCRJB), located in the eastern part of Shandong Province, China, an area grappling with significant issues of groundwater quality degradation and water scarcity. A total of 105 groundwater samples and 34 surface water samples, collected from 2020 to 2024, were analyzed and studied using various hydrogeological tools, multivariate statistical analyses, and water quality assessment methods. These include the Piper diagram, hydrochemical facies evolution diagram (HFE-D), Principal Components Analysis (PCA), correlation analysis, stable isotope analysis, Water Quality Index (WQI), and USSL diagrams. The results indicated that all surface water and pore groundwater samples were categorized as Na-Cl type, exhibiting high Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and Electrical Conductivity (EC) values, characteristics that render them poor to unsuitable for drinking and irrigation purposes. The fracture groundwater is predominantly of the Ca-Na-Cl mixed type, with average suitability for irrigation and a limited proportion (22.5%) deemed suitable for drinking. Seawater intrusion, primarily through the surface water system, and the impact of human activities were identified as the predominant controlling factors con-tributing to the degradation of the local groundwater environment. Field empirical investigations further validated the results derived from hydrogeological assessments, multivariate statistical analyses, and isotopic approaches. The long-term shifts in hydrochemical properties, along with the latent threat of seawater intrusion, exhibit an upward trend during the dry season and show a certain degree of mitigation during the wet season. This study highlights that field investigations, in conjunction with hydrochemical tools, multivariate statistical analyses, and stable isotope analysis, can successfully furnish reliable insights into the predominant mechanisms governing regional groundwater evolution within the context of long-term and intricate envi-ronmental settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Marula transpiration is strongly driven by both climatic and soil water content variations. • Marula can buffer daily transpiration demands via large water storage capacity. • Kei Apple transpiration is predominantly driven by climatic factors. • Whole-tree transpiration can be accurately predicted using a simple Penman-Monteith model, albeit with different parameters for each species. Conventional crop production is expected to decline in the future in sub-Saharan Africa due to the rising costs of inputs, soil degradation, and increasing water scarcity related to climate variability and change. South Africa has more than 30 species of indigenous fruit trees that are adapted to grow under harsh conditions, yet these species are currently underutilized. Their cultivation is constrained by the lack of detailed ecophysiological information required to develop effective management strategies that optimize tree performance. In this study we investigated how two species with domestication potential namely Marula (Sclerocarya birrea) and Kei apple (Dovyalis caffra) responded to climate and soil factors over a period of two years (2019–2021). Photosynthesis, transpiration, and yield were quantified for mature trees growing in experimental orchards in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa. Leaf gas exchange data were collected at selected intervals during the growing season using an infrared gas analyser while whole tree transpiration rates were quantified using the heat ratio method of monitoring sap flow. These data were used to parameterize a big leaf Penman-Monteith (PM) model to estimate the transpiration dynamics of individual trees at the daily time step. S. birrea's transpiration responded strongly to both climatic and soil water content variations while the water use of D. caffra was driven mostly by climatic factors. Transpiration rates averaged 0.30 L/m2 of leaf area for S. birrea while that of D. caffra was around 0.45 L/m2. Both species exhibited significant alternate bearing with yield of individual trees fluctuating by more than 50 % between successive years. For the 2019/20 season, water productivity (grams of fruit per litre of water transpired) varied between 6.2 and 17.4 g/L for S. birrea and between 24.3 and 41.7 g/L for D. caffra. Whole tree transpiration by both species were accurately predicted using the PM model albeit with different parameters for each species. This study demonstrates that a simple PM model can accurately estimate the water requirements of these species in other growing regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water scarcity is a global issue affecting human health, well-being, and the environment. Community participation is vital to managing water resources, particularly in addressing water scarcity. In Indonesia, East Java is one of the provinces that frequently experiences water shortages. This research explores how local communities manage water resources and utilize local knowledge to address the vulnerability to clean water crises in Desa Parsanga, Sumenep, and East Java. This study employed a qualitative approach using interviews, observations, and document analysis as data collection methods. The research findings revealed that the local community's initiative is demonstrated through their participation in the construction of drilled wells. This participation is facilitated through an organization formed by the local community in Desa Parsanga called the Association of Drinking Water Users (HIPPAM). HIPPAM constructed five drilled wells that supply clean water to approximately 500 households. This initiative demonstrates that the local community plays a strategic role in water resource management and can promote sustainable practices. This research provides insights into the potential of communities and local knowledge in addressing global water issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The study explored the relationship between irrigation practices, water availability, and soil fertility in relation to crop yield. The investigation analyzed three distinct irrigation scenarios, namely full irrigation, deficit irrigation, and rain fed agriculture. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the correlation between irrigation practices and soil fertility. To achieve this, the study incorporated different soil fertility levels, with high levels representing unlimited fertility for both full and deficit irrigation, and low levels corresponding to rain fed conditions. This design is primarily used to isolate the effects of irrigation practices on crop yields under a variety of fertility scenarios. The study also looks into how to achieve sustainable water management in the agricultural sector. METHODS: Aqua-crop, a computerized model, was utilized mimic real-life crop harvests. The aqua crop model was used to simulate crop yield in response to water availability. The calibration of the model involved utilizing data on various crop growth parameters, including soil fertility, crop canopy cover, evapotranspiration, soil water movement, crop yield and harvest index percentage. This innovative study utilizes aqua-crop to analyze the impact of irrigation methods on crop yields under controlled settings, effectively isolating irrigation influences from soil discrepancies. This approach is well-suited for studying sustainable water management strategies in agriculture, a pressing concern in light of worldwide water water scarcity. FINDINGS: Aqua-crop simulations revealed that consistent irrigation with a full irrigation system and high efficiency (70 percent) resulted in high yields. The simulated yields (8.48 to 10.04 tons per hectare) were significantly higher than farmers' actual yields (3.86 to 4.74 tons per hectare). Discrepancies between farmer irrigation methods and the model's assumption of uniform water application are the probable cause of the variation, underscoring the significance of considering real-world intricacies in the interpretation of model outcomes. The observed yield differences despite similar irrigation systems indicate the potential impact of unaccounted for factors such as soil type variations and real-world farmer practices (e.g., fertilization). Nevertheless, a substantial R-squared value of 0.85 suggests a robust association between simulated and observed yields, suggesting that aqua-crop can be valuable in comprehending overall irrigation-yield connections. Emphasis is placed on considering real-world complexities to achieve optimal crop yield. Aqua-crop simulations analyzed the correlation between irrigation and water use efficiency. Although full irrigation resulted in the highest simulated yields, deficit irrigation enhanced evapotranspiration water productivity. This seemingly contradictory finding can be explained by diminishing returns: deficit irrigation may result in slightly lower yields but higher water efficiency, highlighting the importance of considering both yield and water use efficiency when making long-term irrigation decisions. has highlighted the disparity between projected and actual crop yields, underscoring the significance of incorporating practical factors into the simulation of irrigation techniques. This finding holds particular relevance in areas where water resources are limited. CONCLUSION: The Food Agriculture Organization's aqua-crop is a useful tool for farmers who have limited access to water. Aqua-crop is a computer-based model that replicates the growth of crops in different irrigation scenarios. It provides farmers with the opportunity to explore the correlation between water usage and crop yield. By doing so, they can determine the most effective irrigation strategies that optimize harvest while minimizing water consumption. This aspect holds particular significance in regions facing water scarcity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we report on preliminary efforts to assess the potential to use reclaimed water from municipal wastewater treatment plants for irrigation of vineyards in Napa Valley, California, USA and Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California, Mexico. Vineyards in Napa Valley use a range of source waters including 70 L/s of reclaimed water during the summertime irrigation season. Reclaimed water is secondary effluent that undergoes filtration and disinfection and meets stringent total coliform (<240 MPN/100 mL) and turbidity (10 NTU) requirements. Vineyards in Valle de Guadalupe currently use regional groundwater supplies of marginal quality, and there is interest in expanding source waters to include reclaimed water from nearby Ensenada or the more remote Tijuana. Valle de Guadalupe is drier than Napa Valley and has ongoing salinity management challenges, making the region more sensitive to using reclaimed water for irrigation. Several social and economic factors facilitated the implementation of reclaimed water reuse in Napa Valley for vineyard irrigation, including (1) formation of an assessment district by interested growers to help finance pipeline construction, (2) a long-term reclaimed water vineyard irrigation study by agricultural experts that confirmed the reclaimed water was safe, and (3) a well-defined and relatively low unit cost of reclaimed water. In Valle de Guadalupe, the federal government has approved a project to transport 1000 L/s of reclaimed water over 100 km from Tijuana to Valle de Guadalupe. Questions remain including financing of the project, reclaimed water quality, grower interest in using reclaimed water, and community concerns for such a large-scale program. In considering reclaimed water reuse in vineyards, a key issue is implementation of long-term studies showing that reclaimed water is effectively treated and is safe for irrigation, especially from the standpoint of salt content. In addition, the cost of reclaimed water needs to be comparable with traditional water sources. Finally, in addition to assessing economic constraints, social constraints and water user concerns should be comprehensively addressed in the context of a regional integrated water management framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water scarcity in Chile has been increasing in recent years, particularly in the central-northern region, associated with a sustained decrease in rainfall and the effects of climate change. This study characterizes the hydrosocial cycle in the Metropolitan Region of Santiago, Chile, with a focus on rural areas, examining the relationship between water availability and socioeconomic factors. For this, demographic data and data related to water demand and use, obtained from government databases, were used. In addition, geographic information systems (GIS) were used for spatial analysis and map creation. Finally, surveys were conducted in rural schools and households to obtain information on water use perceptions and practices. The results show inequalities in access to water with a moderate negative correlation between poverty and water connection/consumption. Rural areas exhibited stronger negative correlations, indicating a greater impact of poverty on water access. Water-saving practices, such as reusing washing water for irrigation, were prevalent in rural households. These results highlight the importance of the hydrosocial cycle to understand the dynamics and factors that shape water demand and consumption in a highly complex region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water treatment plays a crucial role in meeting the growing demand for water and preventing future shortages. The unique and adaptable arbitrary, physical, and chemical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) make them an attractive candidate for use in water treatment. CNTs are employed in environmental applications because of their exceptional adsorbent, mechanical, and chemical characteristics. Functional groups chemically or physically modify pure CNTs, improving their desalination and extraction capabilities. The advantages of CNT-based composites, such as antifouling performance, excellent selectivity, and higher water permeability, reassure us of their effectiveness in water treatment. This review comprehensively discusses the structural features and synthetic methods of CNTs. The functionalization and the pros and cons of functionalized CNT materials are also discussed. Pharmaceutical compounds are often manufactured using batch processes, resulting in the production of various products in wastewater. The occurrence of pharmaceutical compounds in drinking water arises from two distinct origins: the pharmaceutical industry’s manufacturing procedures and the widespread use of pharmaceutical compounds, which leads to their presence in urban and agricultural wastewater. This review discusses role of CNT-based nanomaterials in effectively removing pharmaceutical waste from wastewater through adsorption and photocatalytic processes. Lastly, the future approach is discussed to develop CNT-based nanomaterials better. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of reclaimed water is expected to increase in the coming years, mainly in water-scarce areas. In the European Union (EU), an increase in the use of reclaimed water is expected to play a significant role within the European circular economy strategy and climate change adaptation policies with the aim to enhance overall sustainability of water resource management. While several institutions have offered estimations of the potential of reclaimed water reuse in the EU context, these estimations tend to overestimate potential reuse volumes since they fail to fully consider the following important issues: (a) the role of return flows in basins where cascade reuse is crucial in maintaining downstream uses (including ecological flows); (b) the availability of abundant (and cheaper) conventional resources; and (c) the economic productivity of water as an indicator of users' willingness to pay for reclaimed water. This study focuses on the Spanish case since this is currently the EU member state with the highest potential for reclaimed water reuse. Findings show that previous estimations of reusable water volumes in Spain may have overestimated potential volumes. The proposed analysis can be extrapolated to other EU regions, where realistic estimations of the potential of reclaimed water might be much needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is predicted that the majority of the world's population will live in cities in 2050. Rapid population growth in cities brings environmental problems. All these problems change the climate negatively. Changes and decreases in the precipitation regime due to climate change cause drought problems. Considering the world average, it is seen that 70% of usable water is consumed for irrigation purposes. Türkiye's average is 72%. As the development level of countries increases, water consumption for irrigation purposes decreases. It is known that a large amount of water consumed for irrigation purposes is used in green areas in urban landscaping works. For this reason, developed countries have started to apply techniques such as limited irrigation and rational use of water in their parks and gardens. They had to tend to use the less water consumed by plants in larger areas, reduce the usage areas of plants that consume more water, and use plants in planting areas by zoning them according to their water needs. The highest water consumption is from grass plants and seasonal flowers, which are indispensable for green areas in cities. Although the highest water consumption is in green areas where ornamental plants are used in urban areas, very few academic studies have been conducted on water shortage in ornamental plants. The purpose of this research; The aim of the study is to observe the change in the development parameters of the Antirrhinum majus plant, the most commonly used seasonal flower that causes excessive water consumption in green areas in cities, by subjecting it to restricted irrigation. In this context; Four different irrigation rates were applied: 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. 18 development parameters were examined to determine the effect of different irrigation applications. As a result of the research; It was observed that in Antirrhinum majus plant, 17 out of 18 growth parameters showed more development in 75% water application than in 100% water application. These results show that the 75% (25% reduction) application is more advantageous. When using the Antirrhinum majus plant in urban areas, it is recommended to reduce water by 25%. In this case, significant water savings will be achieved in the urban landscape. It is recommended that Antirrhinum majus plants, whose development is not affected by water shortages, are frequently used in urban landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture is the largest water user of all sectors. In arid regions in particular, achieving efficient water use in agriculture is an important way to solve water scarcity. However, the difference in water use efficiency between arid and humid regions has long been a focus of academic debate. Many studies consider water use efficiency to be higher in humid areas due to the abundance of water resources. This view is based on the fact that less irrigation in humid areas may lead to higher crop yields and better conditions for agricultural production; however, it ignores the efforts of researchers and agricultural workers in arid zones who have attempted to develop efficient water-saving technologies, as well as the effect of natural conditions on agricultural production. Correctly evaluating the efficiency of agricultural water use in arid zones is important for achieving efficient use of water resources, as well as for water management decisions. This study calculates the yield structure and water productivity of typical crops in both arid and humid regions in China based on the footprint theory and other methodologies. This approach allows for an accurate assessment of irrigation water benefits in various regions, providing a scientific basis for improving agricultural water use efficiency under different climatic conditions. The study results indicate that the average reliance on blue water for wheat and cotton gradually increases from 49.9% to 93.6% as regional aridity intensifies, ranging from the Central China Humid Region to the Northwest China Arid Region. Similarly, the average contribution of blue water to crop yield rises from 31.0% to 100%, while irrigation water productivity increases from 0.27 kg·m−3 to 0.53 kg·m−3. Finally, this study concludes that, in arid zones with lower precipitation and more hours of sunshine, a higher dependence on blue water for crop growth and development leads to a higher productivity of irrigation water. In addition, in arid zones, the focus should be on optimizing the use of irrigation water and improving irrigation technology and efficiency, while, in humid zones, there should be more use of natural precipitation to efficiently reduce dependence on irrigation water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The olive tree (Olea europaea L.) is culturally and economically vital in Morocco. However, its sustainability is threatened by aridity and water scarcity. Studying its response to different irrigation strategies is crucial for sustainable cultivation and improved water use efficiency in the face of future drought events. This work aimed to study the responses of sap flow rate, physiological, and agronomic parameters of the Moroccan olive cultivar 'Menara' to Regulated Deficit Irrigation (RDI) and Sustained Deficit Irrigation (SDI) strategies. Seven irrigation regimes were studied based on the sensitivity of phenological phases to water stress, distinguished as (SP) 'Sensitive Period' and (NP) 'Normal Period'. SP involves flowering (SP1) and oil synthesis to harvest (SP2), while NP relates to pit hardening. 'Menara' olive trees were subjected to four RDI treatments: T1 (SP 100- NP 70% ETc), T2 (SP 100- NP 60% ETc), T3 (SP 80- NP 70% ETc), and T4 (SP 80- NP 60% ETc), and two SDI treatments: T5 (70% ETc) and T6 (60% ETc), compared with control (T0) trees under full irrigation (100% ETc). In comparison to the control T0, the deficit irrigation treatments exhibited lower sap flow rates. Specifically, T1 and T2 experienced reductions of 10% and 19% in sap flow rates, respectively, attributed to a decrease in water application of 11% and 14% compared to T0. Despite this decline, T1 and T2 demonstrated fruit yields comparable to T0. Conversely, T4, which received 28% less irrigation, displayed a yield reduction of approximately 23% compared to T0 in 2022. Moreover, adverse effects were observed in Menara olive trees treated with T4 after two consecutive seasons of deficit irrigation in 2023, indicating that prolonged stress effects could be detrimental in subsequent years. T3, under RDI, showed resilience with a 13% reduction in production despite a 37% decrease in sap flow rate and a 24% water restriction. Conversely, T5 and T6, employing SDI, experienced significant yield declines of 50%, with reductions in water application of 30% and 40% and sap flow rate of 51% and 80%, respectively, in 2022. The alternate bearing pattern significantly impacts Menara olive production, as evidenced by reduced sap flow and yield in the "off" year of 2023, regardless of irrigation strategies. A strong correlation (R2 = 0.84) between sap flow and yield indicates that well-irrigated olive trees tend to transpire more, leading to higher yields. Stomatal conductance (gs) notably decreases with increased water deficit, with reductions of 8%, 12%, and 23% observed in T4, T5, and T6, respectively. Furthermore, a significant reduction in FV/FM, indicative of water stress, was observed with a 40% decrease in water supply in the T6 treatment group during both irrigation seasons in 2022 and 2023, with Fv/Fm reaching approximately 0.7. In general, Menara olive trees subjected to deficit irrigation, particularly under the T3 RDI treatment, showed the ability to adapt and cope with low water supply over time. However, the cumulative water shortage effect of the SDI treatment T6 resulted in a decline in both the agronomic and physiological performance of this cultivar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scarcity of global water resources has been exacerbated by a variety of factors, including population growth, the impacts of climate change, and mismanagement. Policymakers face a challenge in managing tradeoffs between human water demands and maintaining the world's water resources. This study investigates water resource management strategies using Iran's example, a country in the Middle East with arid and semi-arid climate. A review of water resources management strategies in Iran shows the country's policies leaned more on short-term solutions. Short-term water management addresses immediate shortages and emergencies, implemented during droughts and water scarcity, while long-term strategies reduce water demand by addressing underlying drivers and involve significant investments and planning horizons. Iran has focused on implementing short-term solutions to address the effects of water scarcity on food and water security. This work shows that short-sighted water policies such as the large-scale use of water resources and water transfers may cause adverse impacts, among those land subsidence due to groundwater withdrawal and environmental degradation. It is worth noting that such short sighted water policies do not constitute sustainable solutions to water scarcity. On the other hand, water policies that seek long-term sustainability are frequently ignored by policymakers. The latter water policies are herein evaluated for the purpose of increasing water supply. Strategies such as improving water consumption patterns and setting reasonable water pricing can contribute to remedy the water crises in arid countries like Iran. An overview of case studies is presented and assessed to illustrate the effectiveness of long-term, sustainable, water supply policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water withdrawals are expected to continue growing, further straining available freshwater resources for economies. This review focuses on two key relationships between water and economic growth for developed and developing countries. Rising freshwater withdrawals and stress are directly related to how our economies use water to develop and grow. There is also concern that increasing water scarcity will impact economic growth across countries and regions. Unless there is a marked improvement in the water intensity of countries, economic growth will be the most important driver of increasing water withdrawals and scarcity. Although analysis of the impact of freshwater stress on the growth of economies is inconclusive, there is mounting evidence of an impact at the river basin and sub-national level. Decoupling rising water use from growth will require major water management reforms. Two of them are discussed here: Ending excessive subsidization of irrigation and reallocating subsidies for water supply and sanitation to expand delivery in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the current status of water resource utilization and explore the coordination degree of the coupled human–water–ecosystem in the Tarim River Basin, we used the water shortage rates and index of WUE to analyze the dynamic changes in water shortage and water use efficiency. We also applied the Gini coefficient to study the evolutionary trend of the degree of matching between water consumption and GDP in each sector. Based on the above analysis, we developed a human–water–ecosystem coupling coordination degree model incorporating various indicators relevant to the three subsystems to quantitatively assess the coupled and coordinated development status of the three subsystems of the human–water–ecosystem in the basin from 2004 to 2020. The main findings are as follows: (1) The Tarim River Basin suffers from water shortage in dry years, with a prominent supply–demand contradiction. In the severe drought years of 2009 and 2014, the water shortage rates reached 10.20% and 10.93%, respectively. (2) From 2004 to 2020, the Tarim River Basin's water use efficiency (WUE), and its five prefectures showed a clear upward trend. On a multi-year average, Bayingol Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture had the highest WUE, while the Hotan region had the lowest. (3) The multi-year average value of the match between water consumption and GDP for the entire basin is 0.28. By industry, the primary industry's match between water consumption and GDP is higher, while the secondary and tertiary industries have lower matches. (4) From 2004 to 2020, the coordination degree of coupled human–water–ecosystem in the five prefectures showed different degrees of upward trend, generally developing towards better coordination. In terms of multi-year averages, Bayingol Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, located in the east, has the highest degree of coupled coordination. Meanwhile, Hotan, in the south, lags significantly behind the remaining four regions. Therefore, the Tarim River Basin should further improve and optimize the development model of sustainable water resource use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought and water scarcity are inherent features of Xinjiang's physical geography. It is crucial to understand the spatiotemporal evolutionary patterns and influencing factors of water use for effective water resources demand management. In this study, we investigated the influencing factors which drive the temporal change and spatial heterogeneity in water use pattern in Xinjiang from 1990 to 2020 using the logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) method. In addition, we quantified the main influencing factors contributing to higher per capita water use in Xinjiang in comparison to the average levels of other regions in northwest China and whole China. The conclusions can be drawn: (1) The total water use in Xinjiang showed a first increasing then decreasing trend, whereas per capita water use showed an overall declining trend. (2) The change of water use intensity and industrial structure were the main reasons for the decline of total water use in Xinjiang. (3) High water intensity and agriculture dominated industrial structure were the main reasons for higher per capita water use in Xinjiang than other regions in northwest China and whole China. (4) Per capita water use across various prefectures in Xinjiang exhibited significant spatial heterogeneity, primarily attributable to variations in water use intensity, per capita GDP, and industrial structure. Based on the main results, we propose relevant water management policy recommendations, which can provide a scientific reference for sustainable water use and management in Xinjiang. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives Water shortage and the need for its optimal use in arid and semi-arid regions, including Iran, has led water officials and farmers to use modern irrigation systems, such as drip irrigation with the aim of making optimal use of water resources. Drip irrigation has been welcomed in most parts of the world due to its high efficiency and the possibility of irrigation in different environmental conditions. The most important reason for the superiority of drip irrigation over other irrigation methods is the controllable amount of water for each plant. Drip irrigation is a method in which water is poured out of the net at low pressure through an orifice or device called an emitter and dripped into the bottom of the plant. This irrigation system, like other methods, requires accurate knowledge of the parameters affecting it to achieve the desired efficiency. One of the most important parameters for the irrigation system is the distribution of moisture in the soil and in fact the shape of the moist bulb. Therefore, knowledge of how to distribute water in the soil is essential for the proper design and management of subsurface drip irrigation systems. Since testing is very difficult and time consuming to detect the shape of moisture distribution in the soil, the use of numerical and analytical simulation can be an effective and efficient way to design these systems. Methodology In order to determine the progress of the moisture front in drip irrigation, first the soil texture type and physical properties of the soil were determined. It should be noted that the emitter flow rate was measured and adjusted in volume at the beginning of the test to minimize the difference between the emitter flows along the three side tubes. Evaluation experiments were performed with three outflows of 2, 4 and 6 liters per hour. With the start of the system, the progress of the moisture front at different times was measured by digging a trench using a scale. Numerical simulation of moisture front progress was performed using HYDRUS model based on Richard equation and analytical simulation was performed using Moment Analysis. HYDRUS software was used to numerically simulate the progress of the moisture front. The simulation range was considered to be 100 cm by 100 cm on the two-dimensional plane. In these simulations, 3956 nodes are used to represent the entire simulation range and also, relevant equations were used to calculate the two-dimensional spatial Moment of the wetting pattern . Findings The simulations show that the initial volumetric moisture content is 0.11 and the saturation volumetric moisture content is 0.380 and the water dispersion rate increases over time on the x and z axes. With increasing flow, the maximum dispersion is in the x-axis, which occurs in flow of 6 liters per hour. The result for flow of 6 liters per hour based on the data used is slightly higher than the desired value. The reason why the value of M00 in the flow rate of 6 liters per hour is higher than expected, is that in the simulation flow rate of 6 liters per hour change in the size of the inlet diameter and the amount of flux changes the amount of water entering the soil and moistens a large volume of soil. Due to the different amount of moisture applied to the area at different times, the value of 𝑧𝑐, 𝜎𝑥 2, 𝜎𝑧 2 is different and has caused a change in the size of the oval in different flows. The increase in the size of the ovals indicates the high dispersion of water in that area. The results showed that the Moment analysis was able to express the position of the center of mass of water distributed in the soil with correlation coefficient of 0.986 in linear mode and 0.982 in logarithmic mode. By comparing the values of diameter and depth obtained from the HYDRUS and the drawn ovals, it can be concluded that both methods provide close results. The accuracy of the Moment analysis method in simulating different types of moisture patterns resulting from drip irrigation under different flows with the use of different volumes of water is similar to the HYDRUS model and therefore it is possible to use this feature to predict the pattern of moisture from a certain flow using a specific volume of water . Conclusion In this study, the accuracy of Moment analysis in simulating various moisture patterns resulting from drip irrigation under different flows with the use of different volumes of water was investigated and the possibility of using this feature to predict the pattern of moisture from a given flow using a specific volume of water checked. In order to investigate the Moment of the amount of water distributed in the soil by subsurface drip irrigation, simulation was performed by two-dimensional HYDRUS software for three discharges of 2, 4 and 6 liters per hour with an inlet water volume of 12 liters. Then, using the results of simulation of moisture distribution range by a programming language including MATLAB software, and by calculating the Moments, it was determined that the Moments are able to express the position of the center of mass of water distributed in the soil and how it is distributed relative to x and z axes. The increase in the size of the ovals indicates that more water is distributed in that area. Comparing the diameters and depths of the moisture front between the simulated HYDRUS model and the Moment analysis model, it was found that the Moment analysis is an efficient way to study the distribution of water moisture by drip irrigation and this method can be used as an alternative input to estimate parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives Due to the location of Iran in an arid and semi-arid climate, the optimal use of water resources systems and better management in water shortage conditions are necessary. One of the appropriate tools in the field of water resources management is the use of simulation, optimization techniques and the combination of simulation and optimization methods. The main goal of this research is to provide a solution in which, according to the capacity of the reservoir, in addition to achieving the acceptable reliability of supplying demands in the whole period, the percentage of meeting the needs in dry months also increases. Methodology To achieve the optimal operation of the water resources in the Marun and Jareh dams located in the south of Iran, the multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) algorithm is linked to the WEAP model to provide a new structure for the water resources management, especially in periods of low water by obtaining the optimal values of water release from the reservoir. In this structure, the WEAP simulator is called directly in the MATLAB environment and executed by the optimization algorithm. In this research, for optimal operation of the system, the amount of water released from the reservoir every month is considered as a decision variable. However, due to the large number of available variables and the high volume of calculations, in the body of the MOPSO optimization model, the flow release coefficients that are considered on a monthly basis are used. Based on these coefficients, every month, a percentage of the water volume in the Marun and Jareh reservoirs is released to supply the needs of the downstream uses, and the rest is stored for the better management of the reservoir, especially in water shortage conditions. Therefore, according to the application of these coefficients on a monthly basis, 12 variables are considered for each dam and 24 decision variables in the whole multi-dam system in the entire next 30-year operation period. Findings The optimization process is carried out using the MOPSO multi-objective algorithm. The number of iterations of the algorithm to reach convergence is considered to be around 1000. Finally, after the optimization, according to the population size of 48 and the implementation of the MOPSO model for 1000 iterations, the solutions close to to optimal are obtained, and the optimal exchange curve (Pareto-optimal front) between the optimization objectives (the function of maximizing the supplying percentage and the function of minimizing the violation of the minimum operation level) is achieved. In Pareto curve the solution with the least amount of penalty due to the violation of the reservoir operation capacity and the highest supplying percentage is chosen as the best answer. Then, these optimal variables are entered in the WEAP surface water model. The average percentage of supplying the needs and the level of reliability of meeting the needs for different uses in optimization scenario. in this scenario, the drinking and industrial demands are fully provided in all months. Also, the average percentage of meeting the agricultural demands of the Marun and Jarrahi basins for August, September, October and November was improved by about 15 to 16%, which is significant and shows a decrease in the severity of failure in these low water months. The supplying percentage in July also increases by about 7%. Conclusion The results obtained from the implementation of the optimizer model showed that the percentage of demand supply in the months that was 0% in the reference scenario reached 30-60% and in most of the dry months, it was calculated around 45%. This showed that the optimizer model was able to reduce the failure severity in the worst case and in years with three to eight consecutive dry months. The results showed that according to the application of hedging in the model, some of the need is stored in the high-water months to be consumed in the low water months. This research showed that planning water resources and allocating them to existing uses only by relying on maximizing the reliability of supplying needs in the entire period, especially in areas with dry climates where we inevitably face severe water shortages in several months of the year, is not a suitable solution and leads to irreparable financial losses and social consequences. Instead, using the solution of this research will lead to better management of the reservoir and reduce the severity of the failure to supply the needs in the dry months of low water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Irrigated areas are major vectors of agricultural development and components of ecosystems. The groundwater level maintains the irrigated areas' ecology safety and sustainable development. Under the influence of irrational irrigation practices—such as flood irrigation or extreme water saving without consideration of ecological impact—different areas within an irrigation district may experience anomalies in groundwater levels (either too deep or too shallow). It is of great significance to carry out research on water resource allocation and future water-saving strategies, taking into consideration groundwater depths. In this study, a method for the optimal allocation of irrigation water resources that considered groundwater level was used to regulate irrational irrigation practices and to reveal the future direction of water saving. Helan County in Ningxia province, an ecologically fragile and arid irrigated area, was selected as a case study. Multiple scenarios of different water use and different degrees of water-saving were analyzed. The results showed that non-engineering water-saving measures (such as adjusting the planting structure and controlling the amount of irrigation for rice) had better benefits compared to engineering measures (such as efficient water-saving irrigation and channel lining). When implementing only one water-saving measure, the strategy of replacing 75% of the rice area with corn yielded the best results. This approach can reduce the irrigation water shortage rate to 11% and increase by 4.58% the acreage where the groundwater level is reasonable. When multiple water-saving measures are implemented together, the most effective strategy for future water-saving efforts involves the joint implementation of several measures: replacing 75% of the rice area with corn, limiting irrigation for rice to no more than 11.85 thousand m3/ha, adopting high-efficiency water-saving irrigation in 90% of the pump-diverted water irrigation region and 40% of the channel-diverted water irrigation region, and maintaining the channel's water utilization coefficient at 0.62. This strategy can keep the irrigation water shortage below 3.66% and increase the acreage where the groundwater level is reasonable, by 4.58% per year. The conclusions and research approaches can provide references for the formulation of water-saving measures for irrigated areas' sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The challenge of global water scarcity, exacerbated by population growth, pollution, and uneven resource distribution, demands innovative solutions. Seawater desalination, particularly Reverse Osmosis (RO) desalination technology, offers a promising remedy due to its efficiency, economic attractiveness, and enduring durability. This study explores the potential of solar-powered desalination to replace grid-imported electricity as a cost-effective solution to water scarcity, emphasizing economic and environmental aspects. We delve into the economic viability of desalination by developing a model that considers desalination capacity, input electricity prices, and specific energy consumption. Applying this model to case studies in Portugal (Porto Santo Island in the Madeira Archipelago and Algarve in the southern mainland) demonstrates that integrating photovoltaic (PV) solar energy systems to supply the electricity required in the desalination process can reduce the unit production costs of desalinated water by about 33%. The obtained unit production cost of desalinated water using solar PV input is lower than current water tariffs, underscoring the economic feasibility of this approach. The proposed solution is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), contributing to Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pakistan is on the brink of becoming a water‐scarce country as a result of a peak in population and rapid urbanization. This research investigates the awareness of water scarcity amongst the general public in Pakistan and their behaviour and attitude towards water conservation practices at the household level. The study incorporated the theory of planned behaviour to gain a better understanding of the phenomenon. Households were surveyed in Islamabad Capital City using a quantitative research approach. Descriptive analysis and Fischer's exact test were followed to measure the variables. Results demonstrated a significant awareness regarding water scarcity amongst the residents which influenced positive behaviour and attitudes towards water conservation in the households. Notably, the p‐value for water consumption patterns was found to be highly significant at 0.000 for activities such as laundry, gardening and car washing and less significant at 0.003 for bathing and 0.002 for housecleaning. It is concluded that water use is conditioned by dwelling characteristics and the types of devices employed in the houses. This comprehensive understanding is crucial for developing targeted interventions that resonate with diverse populations worldwide. Highlights: Enriched environmental values and awareness leades to effective water conservation.Besides technical interventions for water resource sustainability, addressing human behaviors and attitudes is crucial for meaningful change.Socio‐demographic factors significantly influence conservation behaviors.Water consumption is influenced by the attributes of residences and the varieties of appliances utilized within them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a coupla risk combinations and coping strategies have been developed for confronting conflicts between population-economy development and water resource management (PEWM) due to population-industry transformation (PIT) into a floodplain of the economic belt under climate change. A location-entropy-based PVAR (Panel Vector Autoregression) model coupla-risk analysis (LPCR) can be introduced into PEWM to reflect the adverse effects of population-industry transformation on a special function area (e.g., floodplain) of the economic belt, where the coupla risk map has been addressed. Meanwhile, an adaptive scenario analysis-based stochastic-fuzzy method (ASSF) can be joined to deal with multiple uncertainties and their interactions due to subjective and artificial factors. The proposed LPCR and ASSF can be integrated into a risk-based stochastic-fuzzy scenario method framework (RASF) to apply for a practical PEWM case study of the Yongding River floodplain in the context of the coordinative development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei economic belt, China. The results can be presented as follows: 1) the PIT was accelerated into the floodplain due to the fact that it can require more water resources, where each additional unit can promote the regional gross domestic product (GDP) by 0.019 units, increasing the water demand by 0.046 units. It can strengthen various risks such as water shortage, soil loss, and flood control investment in a floodplain of the economic belt; 2) the farmland returning to wetland (CFW) can decrease the water demand and shortage ratio (would be 0% at highest) for irrigation in the long run, but this would reduce the direct economic income of irrigation in the short run; 3) backward irrigative schemes and low water utilization efficiency require a cleaner production mode, which could reduce water shortages by 77.23 × 103m³ at the highest; and 4) the combined policy (S12) can reduce coupla risks (including the risk of water shortage, soil loss, and flood) compared to other individual policies (S2, S4, S6, and S8). The findings can assist local decision-makers to gain insights into adjusting interegional strategies not only for remitting population-resource stress in core cities but also for improving the resilience against drought and flood in a floodplain area, which is conducive of the special function of the floodplain to support an integrated sustainable development of the economic belt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The year 2023 will mark the tenth year of China's pilot water rights program, with China's overall water use efficiency improving and the water-related industry continuing to grow. Due to the uneven spatial and temporal distribution of water resources in China, there still exists the real problem of resource-type water shortage and structural water shortage, in which the problem of water poverty is particularly prominent. In order to alleviate water poverty, this paper constructs a water poverty indicator system and measures it, uses a double difference model to study whether the water trading policy is effective in alleviating water poverty, and establishes a tripartite evolutionary game model to simulate the behavioral strategies of the relevant stakeholders in water trading. The main findings of this study are as follows: (1) the degree of water poverty in China's 31 provinces and municipalities from 2008 to 2022 shows a decreasing trend in general, but there are still regional differences; (2) the pilot policy of water rights trading effectively alleviates the situation of water poverty in China, and the alleviation effect is especially obvious for the western region; (3) The degree of government subsidy, the price of water rights trading, the degree of government punishment for non-trading behavior, and the extra income gained from water rights trading all affect the degree of water poverty of both parties to the water rights trading. Therefore, we should continue to improve the water rights trading platform, promote the construction of a diversified water use market, and strengthen the monitoring, measurement and supervision of water rights trading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why was the work done: The malting process has long been a target for innovation to improve malt quality. The efficiency of utilisation of labour, capital, water and energy, particularly the energy intensive kilning process is a key target for maltsters to reduce the environmental footprint and costs. Similarly, water use during steeping is a priority due to scarcity of water and regulations regarding the disposal of wastewater. How was the work done: A comprehensive review of the literature was undertaken to identify prospects for improving the efficiency of the malting process. What are the main findings: The malting process involves: (i) selection of barley variety of suitable quality (protein, microbiologically sound); (ii) cleaning and grading; (iii) steeping in water with dry rests over one to two days, moisture increases from 10-13 to >40% (ideally 42-45%); (iv) germination at 12-16°C in a flow of humid air to maintain malt moisture at 42-46%; (v) kilning at between 50-85°C with hot dry air and (vi) storage and blending of malt to specification. Analysis of these steps shows that there is potential to reduce water use and discharge by ~40% with the Optisteep® system. In terms of energy, kilning uses 80-90% of all malting energy (conventionally gas), which makes kilning attractive for energy savings. Marginal energy savings can be made by lowing malt moisture to <40% before germination/kiln transfer and reducing malt moisture to <9% rather than 4-6%. Novel solutions include using green malt and barley brewing which save energy (especially kilning). Although for brewing with unkilned green malt, significant challenges remain to be solved. However, over the past 25 years, maltsters have been successful in incrementally reducing kilning energy by 20-35% per decade. Why is the work important: Increasing malting efficiency while maintaining or improving quality has important implications for reducing costs and reducing the environmental footprint of the malting process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries experience a harsh environment with low precipitation and high evaporation rates. This presents a significant challenge of water scarcity and water quality degradation which is exacerbated by land use practices. Agriculture, urbanization, and industrialization are impacting the management of water resources. This paper examines the state of water resources in the GCC countries and presents the impact of land use practices. A detailed analysis of the relationship between land use and groundwater is conducted with a focus on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the Sultanate of Oman, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The results indicate a drop in agricultural activities, an increase in bare land and urban areas, depletion of groundwater, and water quality degradation. These changes were attributed to excessive agricultural and industrial uses, climate change, and rapid urbanization. The findings show the need for sustainable land use practices and water resources management. Further research addressing the impact of land use on water in Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain, and evaluating the effectiveness of policy, is essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is one of the main factors that caused scarcity of fresh water phenomenon all over the world. The lack of water in major parts of Iraq affected all sectors that use water and cause obvious damages to ecosystems. Karbala province suffers from frequent water scarcity due to water scarcity and abnormally high temperatures. In the present study, remote sensing and GIS were applied to quantify water scarcity and evaluate its effects on vegetation in this fragile semiarid ecosystem. Analysis of hydrological data of the study area was carried out during 2013 to 2022 to compute water availability and shortage based on the criteria and requirements of water sector and environmental management in Iraq. Remotely sensed Landsat 8 images data were applied to measure changes on vegetation and the effects of water scarcity. Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) was employed to identify vegetation and detect its change. Results showed that the area witnessed decreasing in water availability compared to the reference year. Maximum available water reached 1977.535 million m 3 in 2013, while the minimum of 859.227 million m 3 was observed in 2022. The maximum and minimum vegetation area reached 535.610 km 2 and 430.605 km 2 in 2013 and 2022, respectively. Results indicated that all the years posterior to the reference year experienced water scarcity and vegetation damage, where the maximum and minimum water scarcity rates were 56% and 8% in 2022 and 2016, respectively. The maximum impact of water scarcity rate on vegetation was ca. 20% in both years 2015 and 2022. Water scarcity is constantly increasing over time, thus evaluating its impacts and forecasting its future specification will support decision-makers to take the necessary measures to mitigate its effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to explore the dimensions of non-conventional water (NCW) resources, including wastewater treatment and greywater, and their impact on the well-being of refugees in the context of Alzatari refugee camps in Jordan. The research employs the theory of planned behavior (TPB) as a conceptual framework. To look into the connections between NCW, attitudes, subjective norms, and the well-being of public health, education, the environment, and income, the study uses statistical methods like descriptive analysis with SPSS, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and mediation analysis with SEM-AMOS. The findings demonstrate that attitudes and subjective norms play mediating roles in the relationship between NCW and the well-being of refugees. The study highlights the importance of addressing these factors, as they significantly influence decision-making processes and perceptions of NCW. Additionally, the analysis reveals that income well-being do not exhibit a significant relationship in the context of refugee camps. Where mental health was the most affected factor. In conclusion, the analysis of refugee attitudes supports the theoretical conclusion of the TPB model, which emphasizes the interaction between well-being and sustainable technological characteristics. These insights contribute to our understanding some of water technology development requirements in vulnerable regions and facilitate the sustainable management of water resources in refugee camps. The study provides valuable information for the development of strategies to address water scarcity while safeguarding the well-being and livelihoods of refugees in asylum areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consider a water supplier who determines sales rates with the goals of maximizing profits, protecting consumer welfare, and ensuring adequate future water supplies. Buyers are differentiated and can use the water for domestic, agricultural, and industrial purposes. We propose a leader-follower finite-horizon differential game. The leader (the water supplier) determines the selling price and the followers (consumers) react by requesting their optimal amount of water. We calculate a feedback Stackelberg equilibrium assuming that all user demand is satisfied (interior equilibrium). We compare two different tariff schemes: linear tariffs (the price paid is a multiple of the volume of water purchased), and increasing block tariffs (the unit price is lower for quantities of water that do not exceed a fixed threshold). We show that block pricing is never optimal and linear pricing is always preferred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urbanization confronts the dual challenges of water scarcity and environmental degradation, prompting the exploration of diverse water sources for mitigating these impacts. Inter-basin water transfer (IBWT) has emerged as a solution to balance urban water demand and supply in areas with local water shortages. While IBWT can deliver high-quality water over long distances, it is costly, often contributing significantly to carbon emissions. Reclaimed water use (RWU) presents a promising alternative to address this dilemma. In this paper, a valley region of Chongqing municipality in Southwest China, which is confronted with water and environmental risks resulting from rapid urbanization, was explored and discussed as a case study to assess the potential impact of RWU on reducing carbon emissions as compared to IBWT. A method of accumulative accounting was adapted to calculate and sum up carbon emission intensities at various stages, revealing that the operational carbon emission intensities of IBWT and RWU are 0.7447 KgCO2/m3 and 0.1880 KgCO2/m3, respectively. This indicates that RWU substitution can reduce carbon emissions by 0.5567 KgCO2/m3 or 75%. This paper further elucidates the mechanism behind carbon emission reduction, highlighting the energy-saving benefits of using reclaimed water locally without recourse to extensive transportation or elevation changes. Additionally, this result presents three scenarios of reclaimed water use, including urban miscellaneous water, river flow replenishment, and agricultural irrigation in relation to their substitution effects and environmental impacts. Estimates of carbon emission reductions from reclaimed water use were projected at the planned scale, with the maximum potential of reclaimed water utilization predicted. Finally, this paper proposes an enhanced strategy to identify and prioritize factors affecting reclaimed water utilization and the effect of carbon emission reduction. This paper aims to facilitate the establishment of a robust legal, institutional, and managerial framework while fostering interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral cooperation mechanisms in valley urban areas. The methodology employed can be universally applied to other regions grappling with severe water stress, thereby facilitating endeavors toward carbon reduction and contributing significantly to the attainment of water sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water scarcity is commonly evaluated using the water resource stress index (WRSI). However, the conventional WRSI model cannot effectively reflect the water shortage in humid areas, which may lead to distorted evaluation results. To solve this problem, an improved WRSI has been designed. In the improved WRSI, the assessment year is first divided into multiple periods. Then, the temporal WRSI (T-WRSI) is built to evaluate water scarcity in each period. Finally, the comprehensive WRSI (C-WRSI) is constructed based on the entropy weight model (EWM) to synthetically assess the water shortage condition. The water scarcity of Yongzhou City is taken as a sample for evaluation. The results are as follows. (i) The Lingling-Lengshuitan District and Dong'an County suffer from the most serious water shortage. Their C-WRSI values are 0.464 and 0.458, respectively, both of which are "high" grades. (ii) The values of T-WRSI are more than 0.4 from August to October in most areas, indicating that the major key water shortage period is from August to October. (iii) The reasons for water shortage are that the annual runoff distribution in Yongzhou City is uneven with a uniformity coefficient (Cv) of 0.83, and the main irrigation periods are coincidentally accompanied by the retreat of rainfall. (iv) The main measures to solve water scarcity are to strengthen water resource management, to optimize plant structure, and to construct more reservoirs. (v) The C-WRSI values calculated by the improved model in each region are 95–168% larger than those of conventional WRSI. The improved WRSI has better capacities in evaluating the water shortage induced by uneven runoff within the year and identifying the key water scarcity period of humid regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing concern about limited water supply and water scarcity in many river basins across the world. The agricultural sector is the largest user of freshwater on the planet, with a growing amount of water extracted for livestock systems. Here, we use data from the GLEAM model to advance previous studies that estimated livestock water footprints by quantifying water use for feed production, animal drinking water, and animal service water. We additionally account for the role of trade in accounting for feed water allocations to different animals in different countries and make use of a hydrologic model to estimate feed irrigation water requirements for individual crops at a high spatial resolution. Lastly, we estimate the contribution of livestock water abstractions to water stress at a small river basin scale for the entire globe. We find that feed production water accounts for the majority (>90%) of global livestock water withdrawals, though there is regional variation. Similarly, we find large regional variation in the water consumption per head by livestock species. Despite consuming >200 km3 of water per year, we find that reducing water use in the livestock system alone will rarely reduce water stress in high-stress basins. This study highlights the need for quantifying locally relevant water use and water stress metrics for individual livestock systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To solve the current urban water shortage, increasing the willingness of urban residents to use recycled water for flushing is one proposed approach. This study developed a risk perception measurement model of recycled water for toilet flushing to explore which risk triggered people's risk perception of recycled water, and then analyzed the interaction among information provision, trust, risk perception, and willingness to use recycled water. The main results were as follows. First, the risk perception of recycled water for flushing mainly come from four types of risks, which were performance risk, health risk, service risk and financial risk in order of importance. Second, reducing the perceived risk can improve public willingness to use recycled water for flushing, and greater trust in the water authorities and recycled water enterprises reduces the public's perception of the risk of recycled water. A higher level of initial trust is related to higher willingness to use recycled water. Third, information provision can enhance the risk perception of recycled water and enhance trust in the water authorities and recycled water enterprises, but information provision does not directly affect the willingness to use recycled water. This indicates that reducing performance risk and health risk of recycled water, will be the key to controlling the overall risk perception of recycled water and promoting willingness to use. Effective risk communication strategies combine information provision and trust in information providers, which together affect risk perception and thus the willingness to use recycled water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to ensure water sustainability, alarming levels of water scarcity across the globe is a critical issue warranting urgent address. The present study aims to bring to light the perception of farmers regarding water conservation and management practices from the selected five districts of the Haryana region of India. By analyzing the responses of 125 farmers, collected through a self-administered questionnaire, the impact of socio-demographic factors, current irrigation system, and cost-benefit perception of the farmers was studied on water conservation and management practices. Using ordinal regression analysis, the study revealed that the cost-benefit perception of the farmers, viz. willingness to pay an additional price for canal water and an increase in the availability of water due to canal lining, are the major factors responsible for undertaking conservation and sustainability measures. Further, socio-demographic variables such as age and education also influence water conservation behavior. The study recommends vital policy reforms and initiatives for efficient water use and management to resolve the grave concern of scarcity of usable water. The present study is unique in its suggestion of a comprehensive water conservation and management framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water scarcity is a growing problem in many regions. Therefore, intelligent management of the available water is needed. Aside from using water mains directly in households and farms, hydrophores are often used for local water system creation. Water tanks are filled with water when available in the water mains, and then the water is extracted with a hydrophore. Wells are also used as alternative water sources. Filling the tank manually requires human presence and can lead to water overflow. It is also better if the hydrophore is protected by switching it on or off depending on the water level measured, current, and pressure in its balloon. This paper presents a water management system designed to address these issues. The system utilizes various sensors to monitor water levels, pressure, and current. Microcontrollers analyze sensor data and control hydrophores and valves based on user-defined parameters. The system offers remote monitoring capabilities and can be configured for different water source scenarios (tanks vs. wells). The system was successfully implemented in real-world settings, including a factory. The benefits of the water management system include hydrophore protection, autonomous water management, and valuable data on well recovery rates and hydrophore operation cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China, the world's largest developing country, faces a severe water shortage. As the government has set a goal of limiting water use to 7000 × 108 m3 by 2035, how to control the increase in water use will be a thorny issue for China. Unbalanced and uncoordinated regional socio-economic development is an important feature of China. Research on the interaction between provincial water use will help to optimize the rational allocation of water resources and control of water use. In this paper, SNA (social network analysis) method is first used to explore the characteristics of social network relationship between inter-provincial water use, construct a two-stage model of SNA–LMDI, and decompose the driving factors of inter-provincial water use evolution. We found the following points. (1) From 2000 to 2018, the spatial correlation network structure of water use is tending to be stable, and the stability and risk resistance of the whole network are enhanced. (2) From different angles to quantify the centricity analysis, can be found that eastern provinces located right in the heart of water network, obviously larger impact on water resources utilization in other provinces, Shanghai and Beijing is located in the former two, and central and western provinces in the edge position. (3) The national water use spatial correlation network can be divided into four blocks, net beneficial block, bidirectional spillover block, brokers block, and net spillover block. (4) Technological progress and industrial structure adjustment were the primary and secondary factors inhibiting the increase of total water use, while income increase was the main factor promoting the increase of total water use, population scale expansion had a weak role in promoting the increase of total water use. Some policy implications are put forward related to our research conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water scarcity has significantly hampered China's economic, social, and environmental development. Ensuring sustainable water utilization is crucial given the mounting water stress accompanying continuous economic growth. A quantitative water resource forewarning model was constructed using the vector autoregressive (VAR) model. By analyzing the key indicators related to water systems and GDP data from 2001 to 2022, the VAR model revealed the long-term dynamic correlation between water consumption and economic growth using generalized impulse response, co-integration, and predictive variance decomposition analyses. The results revealed the presence of a long-term equilibrium between water consumption and economic growth, with a stable co-integration relationship and an optimal lag period of one year. The positive impact of water consumption on economic development increased during the 2001–2022 period, indicating a rising dependence of GDP on water resources. Water usage rose with economic development, while the water resource carrying capacity remained high and continued to grow. Based on the generalized impulse response, co-integration, and predictive variance decomposition analyses, this study predicted water-use-related indicators, providing vital early warnings for China's water environment carrying capacity from 2023 to 2050. This enabled informed decision-making and fostered sustainable water management practices for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water availability is a local issue of growing importance in Mediterranean areas where water scarcity linked to climate change and population growth is already leading to increased competition for this resource. This study is aimed at the following: (i) assessing the water-related environmental impacts (water use, freshwater ecotoxicity and eutrophication, marine eutrophication, acidification, human toxicity, and ionizing radiation) along the production chain of cow milk in Catalonia, northeastern Spain; and (ii) addressing the issues encountered (modelling choices, data gaps and inconsistencies) which t can affect the quality of results when performing a water-footprint comprehensive assessment, focusing on water use and associated water scarcity impacts. The scope included the process from the extraction of raw materials up to the distribution of the packaged fat- and protein-corrected milk to the distribution centres of the supermarket chains and markets. Results showed the farm stage to be determinant (contributing to over 60% of the impact), due to the impact of feed production. Impact results were in the range of the European benchmark given by the Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules for dairy products, except for the water scarcity footprint which was one order of magnitude larger than the reference value, due to water scarcity in Spain. Considering compound feed ingredients with a lower water scarcity footprint, and research into slurry treatment for its use as irrigation and cleaning water (without compromising safety and health) could help reduce this impact. Water accounting and traceability along the production chain could support the dairy industry to take responsibility for the consequences of their production choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural water rights trading has become an effective means to solve the shortage of agricultural water. However, in the context of uncertainty, the key elements of the water rights trading system and their interactions remain unclear. Therefore, this study constructs a multi-dimensional collaborative optimization model for agricultural water rights based on water price reform under a changing environment. The model quantitatively characterizes the synergistic effects of resource, economic, social, environmental, and ecological objectives on initial water rights allocation and trading. At the same time, the model uses a system dynamics model and intuitionistic fuzzy number to reflect the impact of a changing environment and uncertainty of the management system on water rights allocation and trading. The results show that through water rights trading, the overall coordinated development of farms has been improved, and the economic benefits and water resources utilization efficiency have been improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past 50 years, there have been significant changes in the runoff process in the Luanhe River basin, exacerbating the scarcity of water resources and their spatiotemporal variability. Therefore, conducting research on the characteristics, trends, and cycles of runoff changes in the Luanhe River basin is of great theoretical and practical significance. This study selected rainfall data from the hydrological stations in Weichang, Chengde, and Qinhuangdao in the Luanhe River basin, covering the period from 1985 to 2008, as well as runoff data from the Hanjiaying, Sandaohezi, and Chengde stations. Based on linear trend regression analysis, the Mann–Kendall rank correlation test, Spearman correlation test, Mann–Kendall method, and Mann–Whitney–Pettitt change point analysis method, this study analyzed the trends in water quantity changes and their change points in the Luanhe River basin. The results of the precipitation at the Weichang and Chengde stations show a non-significant rising trend, remaining relatively stable with slightly increases. Conversely, the precipitation of Qinhuangdao Station shows a decreasing trend over time, albeit non-significant. Considering the detailed diagnostic results from both the Mann–Kendall (M-K) and MWP methods, the change point for Weichang precipitation is identified as 2007, while for Chengde, it spans from 1999 to 2002, and for Qinhuangdao, it is around 1997. The trend of the runoff series of three stations shows a significant decreasing trend and strong significance, and the change point for the annual runoff at the Hanjiaying station and the Sandaohezi station is identified as 2006, and for the Chengde station, the primary change point is 2006, with a secondary change point around 2002. The findings of this research can provide scientific references for the rational development and utilization of regional water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the influence of the Asian southwest monsoon, seasonal drought is serious and water resources are scarce in the Yunnan province of Southwest China. More effective water-saving irrigation methods should be developed to solve the problem of water scarcity in the dry season. In this study, a subsurface drip irrigation method was used to improve the water productivity of tomato cultivation. Deficit irrigation was conducted. We controlled the lower limit of soil moisture at three different levels (55~65%, 65~75%, and 75~85% of the field capacity). The results indicated that the subsurface drip irrigation treatment significantly increased tomato height in the later stage of tomato growth. Due to the buried pipes, the root/shoot ratio was 8~18% higher for subsurface drip irrigation than for surface drip irrigation methods. Though the yields using subsurface drip irrigation methods were slightly lower than those obtained using surface drip irrigation methods, the tomato quality and water productivity improved significantly. The subsurface drip irrigation methods improved the water productivity by 8.5~21.8% at different soil moisture levels and improved the chlorophyll content by 9.1~17.3%. The VC, soluble sugar, soluble solids, and the ratio of sugar to acid increased by 6.5~15.2%, 7.3~21.6%, 4.1~6.6%, and 3.2~20.8%. This study also indicated that by optimizing the irrigation methods and patterns, water productivity and fruit quality could be improved by more than 50%. This research will be helpful for guiding irrigation during the drought season in the southwest monsoon area in Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A lack of fresh water is one of the most significant problems currently affecting humanity. Water scarcity also affects industries, with the mining industry being one of the most affected. One possible solution to water scarcity is the recirculation of water. Water in mining is usually treated with physicochemical methods, but in metallurgical processes, reagents are added, accumulate until reaching the point of saturation, and are often not successfully removed. In this sense, electrocoagulation has shown great efficiency in the treatment of organic contaminants, heavy metals, and metallic ions, and was applied in this study to eliminate ions and undesirable organic compounds present in mining–metallurgical process water. Furthermore, this process has shown great efficacy in relation to toxic metals like arsenic because their presence reduces the efficiency of other processes such as flotation. In this study, two types of electrodes were used: stainless steel and aluminum. The best results were achieved with stainless steel electrodes, which were able to eliminate 90% of copper ions in water. The turbidity of the water during the process was measured to determine the amount of solid present in the water, and a reduction of around 95% was observed when using aluminum electrodes. The sedimentation of clots occurred in two stages: Firstly, the coagulant was formed to trap organic matter as its size increased, until a particle size that was sufficient for settling was achieved. A zero-order kinetic model was fit for this stage of the process. Secondly, the formed clots continued to settle, and a second-order kinetic model was fit for this stage. Flotation tests were carried out on the process and electrotreated water to evaluate the recovery of Zn, Pb, Ag, and Au. An increase of 1.5% was found for gold, and an increase of 2% was found for silver, while a significant improvement was identified for zinc, augmenting recuperation by 30% when electrotreated water was used. For lead, no considerable change in recovery was observed in either form of water. The formed clots were analyzed using Scanning Electronic Microscopy, and we found that metal ions were trapped in the clots. This study demonstrates the potential of electrocoagulation for clarifying mine water, which is ordinarily very difficult to clarify. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the media is filled with accounts of water scarcity and threats to water quality, abundant examples of effective transboundary water resource agreements exist throughout the world. This article discusses how consensus was reached between diverse stakeholder groups in the Canterbury Plains District on the South Island of New Zealand. The interdisciplinary, trans-sector water users included the Indigenous Ngāi Tahu. Interviews indicated successful water agreements were positively facilitated by face-to-face interactions during meetings, meals, field trips, and casual interaction, intentionally implemented by the Ngāi Tahu. When encouraged during the stakeholder process, this interpersonal aspect has repeatedly broken through intractable stalemates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the need for water use to be a crucial consideration in sustainable development, an adequate water allocation system across economic sectors is essential, especially in the face of increasing seasonal and perennial water scarcity. In an attempt to facilitate a socially and economically efficient adaptation to the climate emergency, we propose a set of eleven socio-economic indicators to analyze the current water management. This set of indicators could help to quantify the interrelationship between water use and its economic perspective, as well as its social perspective through its impact on employment. Any demand for water not only includes the direct use of water but also its indirect use, referred to as virtual water. This is the water indirectly used through the other inputs in the production process (input–output methodology). These indicators are evaluated in the South-West Europe territory where, in light of increasing water scarcity, there is a need to orientate water allocation toward employment with less intensive water use, to more water productivity and to less environmental impacts. The results at river basin scales show that water use is more productive in the tertiary than in the secondary and primary sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water scarcity is increasingly being recognized as a global concern. Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG-6) was established by the United Nations to address water resource governance within its sustainable development framework. This study employs the entropy weight method and a two-stage cyclical dynamic slacks-based measure (SBM) model to scientifically evaluate water resource utilization and governance across various regions in China. The findings reveal notable disparities in both the production and governance efficiency of water resources. Recognizing governance efficiency is crucial for promoting sustainable water resource utilization and socioeconomic development. The eastern, central, and western regions encounter unique challenges in attaining sustainability. The eastern region exhibits minimal potential for enhancing technical efficiency, necessitating interventions in management strategies and resource allocation. Conversely, the challenges in the central and western regions are more pronounced, demanding immediate implementation of new technologies and equipment. The data analysis in this study yields conclusions that offer targeted improvement recommendations to address disparities across China's eastern, central, and western regions, and this is achieved by considering various developmental stages and regional contexts. These recommendations cover areas such as technical support, financial investment, and policy incentives, with the aim of enhancing the sustainable utilization of water resources in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In reservoir operation rule curves, it is necessary to apply rule curves to guide long-term reservoir management. This study proposes an approach to optimizing reservoir operation rule curves (RORCs) using intelligent optimization techniques from the firefly algorithm (FA) and a unique combination method utilizing the artificial bee colony and cultural algorithm (ABC-CA). The aim is to establish a connection with the simulation model to determine the optimal RORCs for flood control. The proposed model was used to determine the optimal flood control RORC for the Nam-Oon Reservoir (NOR) in northeastern Thailand. A minimum frequency and minimum average of excess water were provided as an objective function for assessing the efficiency of the search process. The evaluation of the effectiveness of flood control RORCs involved expressing water scarcity and excess water situations in terms of frequency, magnitude, and duration using historical inflow data synthesized from 1000 events. The results demonstrated that when using the obtained RORC to simulate the NOR system for reducing flooding in long-term operations, excess water scenarios were smaller than those using the current RORC. The results showed that the excess water scenario using the RORC obtained from the proposed model can reduce the excess water better than the current RORC usage scenario. In decreasing flood situations, the newly acquired RORC from the suggested FA and ABC-CA models performed better than the current RORC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]