Assessment and preliminary study of water scarcity and water security in Libya.

Rising agricultural water scarcity in China is driven by expansion of irrigated cropland in water scarce regions

The increasing population, improving living standards, and expanding economic activities are responsible for rising water demands. In recent decades, the imbalance between water supply and demand has become increasingly prominent. Coupled with the unreasonable use of water resources, this has led to serious water scarcity problems that affect the sustainable development of modern society. Under this background, water scarcity has become an important environmental issue for our sustainable planet. Water scarcity is affected by regional water resource endowments and the ways in which water resources are developed and utilized by human beings. Quantity-induced water scarcity occurs when the quantity of water resources is insufficient. Meanwhile, pollution can cause water scarcity as the services provided by polluted water are not equivalent to that of clean water. Quality-induced water scarcity occurs when the pollutants exceed the environmental carrying capacity. Since Marlin Falkenmark first proposed the concept and assessment method of water scarcity in the 1980s, water scarcity assessment has developed for nearly 40 years. With the development of new theories, progress has been made, such as development of different approaches for assessing water scarcity, identification of influencing factors of water scarcity, revealing the formation mechanism, and exploring strategies to cope with water scarcity. As a result, water scarcity assessment has experienced an evolutionary pathway from a one-dimensional model emphasizing only quantity-induced water scarcity to a two-dimensional model (considering both quantity-induced and quality-induced water scarcity), toward a three-dimensional (3D) model (or 3D water scarcity theory) that considers water quantity, water quality, and environmental flows simultaneous. Based on a systematic review of water scarcity assessment in the literature, this study demonstrates the 3D water scarcity theory and elaborates on its basic concepts, principles, and core methods. The 3D water scarcity theory was first proposed by Chinese scholars and then accepted by international scholars. The quantity-induced water scarcity is assessed based on the ratio of water consumption to water availability, and the quality-induced water scarcity is quantified by comparing gray water footprint (the amount of water required to dilute pollutants in wastewater sufficiently to meet environmental water quality standards) with local available water resources. Environmental flow requirements are quantified based on the characteristics of climatic and hydrological conditions rather than the traditionally adopted simple approach by assuming that they are equal to 80% of water resources. Hence, the 3D water scarcity theory and assessment method can consider water quantity, water quality, and environmental flow requirements comprehensively. Finally, four main future research directions of water scarcity assessment are summarized: The further development and improvement of the theoretical framework of 3D water scarcity, applications of the assessment methods on multiple spatial scales, explicit consideration of the impacts of physical and virtual water flow, and mechanism of the evolution of water scarcity. 3D water scarcity is a key to achieving sustainable and harmonious development between humanity and water resources, and its assessment framework can break through the limitations of the traditional one- or two-dimensional models. Water scarcity theory provides methodological support for measuring the state of water resources on global, national, and regional scales, and it will help formulate appropriate water mitigation measures for integrated water resources management.

The UN World Water Development Report 2016, <i>Water and Jobs</i>: A Critical Review

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Facing Global Environmental Change

The water crisis can alternatively be called a governance crisis. Thus, the demand for good water governance to ensure effective water resources management and to attain specific water goals is growing. Many countries subscribe to the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approach to achieve this goal. The Integrated Water Resources Management approach aims to ensure a process that promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land, and related resources in a drainage basin to maximise economic and social welfare equitably without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems. The design of the Integrated Water Resources Management approach, including its pillars and principles, aspires to good water governance and effective resource management. However, empirical studies examining this hypothesis and analysing the impact of the Integrated Water Resources Management approach on water resources governance are limited, especially in developing countries. Therefore, we characterised and compared the water resources governance aspects of two catchments in Uganda’s Lake Albert basin. One of the catchments was exposed to integrated water resources management projects, while the other had no exposure to integrated water resources management projects. Some of the factors that supported the comparability of the two sites included spatial proximity linking into a related hydrological and social-economic setup, common water needs and belonging to the same water administration zone. Comparing both areas led us to analyse whether there was a difference in water resources governance actions, as well as in the quality of water resources governance, under the same overall water management and administrative zone. The data were based on field surveys using questionnaires and information guides in both catchments. The results show that the performance of water resources governance is markedly better in the catchment with Integrated Water Resources Management practices than the base catchment unaffected by these practices. Key themes examined include water resources governance styles, water resources governance systems presence, functionality, the performance of good governance principles, and water resources management effectiveness. The findings contribute to the aspirations for the promotion of integrated water management approaches for improved water resources governance, and the concept that the effectiveness of water resources management measures depends on governance effectiveness. Water governance is significant, as it spells out the power, rights, decisions, and priorities relating to given water resources and communities.

Production of competing water knowledge in the face of water crises: Revisiting the IWRM success story of the Lerma-Chapala Basin, Mexico

Triangle of Environment, Water and Energy: A Sociological Appraisal

Emphasizes the importance of water security in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in a global context, including impacts on human well-being and economic prosperity. Chronic scarcity, variable hydrology, poor governance, and soaring demand are causing overexploitation of the region’s scarce water resources. The surface water resources of the MENA region are not only the scarcest; they also constitute the most variable and unpredictable in the world. The MENA region, as well as Central Asia and parts of South and East Asia, stand out as areas in which water resources are being unsustainably exploited. Achieving water security involves actions across a range of elements related to water resources management and service delivery; without enhanced water security, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will prove difficult, in particular SDG 6, the so-called water SDG, which seeks to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

Water scarcity is increasingly becoming a global concern, intensified by urbanization, climate change, and unsustainable water management practices. In India, major industrial cities like Jamshedpur remain under severe water stress situations arising from increasing demand, pollution, and infrastructure‐less efficiency. This study looks into the present water crisis in Jamshedpur by describing major drivers for it, reviewing past trends, and then suggesting sustainable options that might fit in well with the particular socio‐industrial conditions of the city. A GIS‐based spatial analysis using Kriging interpolation of groundwater records (2010–2022) was performed, followed by validation having an RMSE value of 0.00424 bcm. In addition, the study scrutinized government reports, local‐level case studies, and institutional records that attempted to gauge demand, pollution levels, and governance challenges. The findings highlight a 20%–30% gap between water demand and supply as well as a massive groundwater decline in some places where the water level is going down by over 10 m in 10 years. Such a scenario arises due to industrial overexploitation and a terribly fragmented governance scenario. Spatial maps are shown concerning at‐risk areas with respect to a water crisis in the future. To achieve long‐term water security, the study suggests the implementation of integrated water resources management (IWRM), rainwater harvesting, wastewater reuse, and making a strong push for public‐private partnerships while promoting community engagement, as well as data‐based decision‐making, to increase climate resilience. The findings are not only relevant to Jamshedpur but also offer a replicable framework for other industrial cities grappling with water scarcity under climate uncertainty.

Water crisis in Iran: A system dynamics approach on water, energy, food, land and climate (WEFLC) nexus

Integrated water resources management is more a political than a technical challenge

There is a need to facilitate decision making on integrated water resource management (IWRM) issues, minimise leakages from and further close the integrated total water cycle (ITWC). The complex social, economic and environmental dimensions and the scarcity of the resource make water management one of the truly “wicked” environmental management problems (cf. Rittel & Webber 1973). This study seeks to contribute to the resolution of this IWRM problem by adding a new definition of IWRM and providing analytical tools for the assessment of water catchments issues, conditions and improving management. A multidisciplinary integrated approach assisted in understanding and managing the complex dynamic multidimensional nature of water and its use. To advance this aim, a new conceptual model for catchment scale IWRM was developed then applied and refined, based on case studies. A review of literature reveals inconsistencies and complexities in the application of IWRM and approaches to minimising leakages from the ITWC. This study has developed an ITWC conceptual sub-model that demonstrates the capacity to incorporate the principles and theory of other disciplines such as hydrogeology, ecological economics and political science into the IWRM conceptual model. The new IWRM conceptual model determined the key components of IWRM using a case study of the Lockyer Valley in South East Queensland, Australia. Further international cases challenged and provided additional insights into these key components using the complex and interconnected dimensions of an IWRM conceptual model – environment, economic, social and policy. A mixed methodology combining quantitative and qualitative secondary data from the case study of the Lockyer Valley during the millennium drought (1997-2009) assisted development of a new catchment scale IWRM conceptual model and key IWRM components. The Lockyer Valley is a primary supplier of agricultural produce to eastern Australia, and contains the headwaters of the downstream Brisbane River catchment. The Lockyer Valley is primarily dependent on groundwater for irrigation, which it continues to draw upon in excess of its sustainable yield. Despite nearly 20 years of research and investigation into the Lockyer Valley and over 60 reports, research papers and consultancies, many of its IWRM issues remain unresolved. This case study was enhanced by a comparison with international cases of IWRM, which assisted in the developing and refining of a contemporary IWRM conceptual model, approach, definition and principles for worldwide application. This study advances water management using an IWRM conceptual approach that further closes the ITWC by focusing on urban-rural IWRM opportunities, going beyond using recycled water for irrigation. This model differs from previous models as it focuses on the ITWC rather than the natural water cycle. The limits of the environment are a feature of this approach, along with recognition of the role of social capital, policy input from government and non- government sectors, ecological economic theory and principles, and hydrogeological modelling for a catchment scale conceptual IWRM model, thus setting it apart from previous models in literature. These additions bring a wider perspective to IWRM decision making and assist in the management of ongoing issues of changes in climate, growing demand for irrigation water, population growth, environmental demand for water and excess wastewater. Such issues affect IWRM worldwide.

Novel concept for water scarcity quantification considering nonconventional and virtual water resources in arid countries: Application in Gulf Cooperation Council countries

In its broadest sense, virtual water refers to the water required for the production of food commodities. Issues relating to virtual water have drawn much attention in scientific communities and the political sphere since the mid 1990s. This paper provides a critical review of major research issues and results in the virtual water literature and pinpoints the remaining questions and the direction of research in future virtual water studies. We conclude that virtual water studies have helped to raise the awareness of water scarcity and its impact on food security and to improve the understanding of the role of food trade in compensating for water deficit. However, the studies so far have been overwhelmingly concerned with the international food trade, and many solely quantified virtual water flows associated with food trade. There is a general lack of direct policy relevance to the solutions to water scarcity and food insecurity, which are often local, regional, and river basin issues. The obscurity in the conceptual basis of virtual water also entails some confusion. The methodologies and databases of the studies are often crude, affecting the robustness and reliability of the results. Looking ahead, future virtual water studies need to enhance the policy relevance by strengthening their linkages with national and regional water resources management. Meanwhile, integrated approaches taking into consideration the spatial and temporal variations of blue and green water resources availability and the complexity of natural, socioeconomic, and political conditions are necessary in assessing the trade‐offs of the virtual water strategy in dealing with water scarcity. To this end, interdisciplinary efforts and quantitative methods supported by improved data availability are greatly important.