A New Scenario-Based Framework for Conflict Resolution in Water Allocation in Transboundary Watersheds

Angela Gorgoglione,Christian Chreties,Walter Collischonn,Rafael H Kayser,Magdalena Crisci

doi:10.3390/w11061174

Angela Gorgoglione, Christian Chreties + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/w11061174

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Abstract

One of the main causes of water conflicts in transboundary watersheds all over the world is represented by the increasing water demand due to urban, industrial, and agricultural development. In this context, water scarcity plays a critical role since, during a drought period, water supply is not sufficient to cover the demand of all water uses. In this work, we have conceptualized and developed a new scenario-based framework able to improve the sustainability and equity of water allocation among two or more riparian countries. The proposed approach is in accordance with the United Nations Watercourses Convention. It considers a hydraulic/hydrologic model, a water-management model, and combines them with multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) and what if scenario analysis (WISA). The suggested framework was applied to the transboundary watershed of Cuareim/Quaraí river (Uruguay/Brazil) to tackle a real water-sharing conflict. It resulted in being very flexible in exploring various policy options and test and quantifying them with different scenarios to reach an objective and impartial decision in a water-sharing issue. This framework can effectively be applied to any other transboundary watershed to resolve any possible conflict related to water-allocation/water-management matter.

Highlights

Shared environmental resources can represent a source of cooperation or conflict among sharing countries
The primary objectives of this study were to: (i) Implement and test an integrated water-management model, that takes into account all the possible agricultural water uses presented in the study area and is able to analyze the feasibility of new water licenses at any point in the basin; (ii) ranking the alternatives for water allocation from the most to the least equitable taking into account the economic, social, and environmental factors described in the United Nations (UN) Watercourse Convention; and (iii) analyze and quantify possible water-allocation scenarios with the aid of a what-if scenario analysis (WISA)
It is a useful tool for managing the existing water resources and is able to resolve possible conflicts related to water allocation in any transboundary watershed

Summary

Introduction

Shared environmental resources can represent a source of cooperation or conflict among sharing countries. Cooperation over shared water resources is essential for regional stability and economic growth. It can open new opportunities for riparian countries to sustainably develop their common water resources and assist decision makers and practitioners in reducing conflict and increase economic development [2]. An equitable and reasonable sharing of these surface waters among riparian countries plays a crucial role in facilitating cooperation between those nations. The problem represented by water scarcity is having a significant negative impact on a large part of the world’s population [3,4]. Water demand increases due to the continuous population growth, industrial development, and intensive agricultural production

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