Triangle of Environment, Water and Energy: A Sociological Appraisal
Triangle of Environment, Water and Energy: A Sociological Appraisal
- Research Article
18
- 10.1111/j.1936-704x.2009.00052.x
- Aug 1, 2009
- Journal of Contemporary Water Research & Education
We are faced with chronic water and energy vulnerabilities. Some argue that we will face two crises in the 21st century: a water crisis and an energy crisis (Brown 1998, 2003, Flavin 1999, Feffer 2008). Water will become increasingly scarce as water tables drop due to over-consumption and water quality will continue to deteriorate as a result of excessive contamination. Further, the present energy regime’s dependence on non-renewable sources has added considerable stress to the environment, including the prospect of climate change (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2007). We are amidst a situation where we could be easily blamed for compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. This paper first briefly describes a need for understanding the integrated considerations of water and energy in resource planning, especially during droughts. After introducing a conceptual framework of the water-energy integration, this paper reviews the results of a national survey of energy and water departments to see how these synergic benefits are explored at the state level. Lessons learned from our case studies serve as useful guidelines for state water-energy planning and program development. Finally, as an example case of the water-energy nexus, the concept of desalination is introduced with its implication on energy demand.
- Research Article
1
- 10.3389/feart.2022.1059903
- Jan 13, 2023
- Frontiers in Earth Science
Energy and water resources function as the base for humans’ socioeconomic development, which are closely linked with each other in the production process. With the rapid economic development, the contradiction between the supply and demand of energy and water resources has become acute. Meanwhile, the carbon reduction goals further enhanced the energy and water constraints, which inevitably have a significant impact on economic growth. Exploring the effect of energy and water constraints on the economic growth under climate goals is essential for policy maker to minimize the economic loss during carbon control. To realize this aim, we introduced the modified Romers’ economic growth model to estimate the impact of energy-water constraints on economic growth based on relative data in 30 provinces in China from 2000 to 2019. Then the spatial-temporal characteristics of the energy-water drag effects on China’s economic growth have been analyzed. We further applied scenario analysis method to investigate the changes in growth drag effects of energy and water resources under carbon mitigation goals in 2025 and 2030. The results show that China’s economic growth rate was reduced by 7.72% and 7.99% during the study period due to energy and water resources constraints respectively. In terms of the temporal trend, the energy-water growth drag effect shows a downward trend as a whole during 2000–2019, and the growth drag of energy on economic growth is slightly greater than that of water resources. As to spatial distribution, regions with high constraint effects of energy and water on economic growth are mainly located in the East China, while some north regions feature low energy-water constraints. According to the simulation results, China’s energy-water drag effects on the economic growth are 6.85% and 7.03% respectively, under the baseline and strong carbon control scenarios, higher than the 6.53% under the weak carbon control. Based on this, this paper proposes to design targeted energy-water constraint strategies and promote production efficiency to achieve a win-win situation of economic development and dual-carbon goals.
- Research Article
- 10.31203/aepa.2017.14.3.001
- Sep 30, 2017
- Asia Europe Perspective Association
Central Asian countries developed their standard for water and energy resources under the former Soviet Union resource-allocation policies. In the early stage of independence of these countries, they continued to share the natural resources including water resources. Due to the climate change, water resources conflict among upstream and downstream countries took place. The upstream Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan possess rich water resources and hydropower resources, but they have few energy resources. The downstream Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan are rich in energy resources such as oil, gas, but they faced with a severe water shortage. Since upstream countries are short of energy resources, they treat water resources as a strategic commodity. Tien Shan glacier of Central Asia was decreased into of one fourth of the total glacier area for the past 50 years because of climate change. Until 2050, half of the glacier will be gone. Tien Shan glacier water is very important water resources for the low level area such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan. As Aral sea is also dry up in recently, it had declined to only 10% of its original size. Salt lake, Aral sea, also has an effect on the breathing problem for the people and turns the land into salt surface. Only 70,000ha of forest has been remained out of 500,000ha of forestry. 18 species are already extinct out of 423 species and 50 species are facing extinction in the future. Central Asian countries have adopted several projects for improve water supply and water quality, or for implement Integrated Water Resources Management(IWRM). An agreement on attraction of Islamic Development Bank(IDB) funds(more than $300 million) was signed for implementation of two water conservancy projects in Kazakhstan(Almaty region). Under the first project on improving water supply, construction of water pipelines is planned in 15 locations, the total length of 680 kilometers. The second project “Reconstruction of the irrigation and drainage systems in the Republic of Kazakhstan” provides for the restoration of irrigation system in Almaty region and improvement of soil condition in South Kazakhstan region. This project will cost $ 235.5 million, and UNDP funds will be involved as co-financing. Kyrgyzstan also has introduced GoAL WaSH programme from 2013∼2015. Through this programme, public education is very effective for the clean water and sanitation. On 2015, the government of Tajikistan adopted the Water Sector Reform Programme 2016∼2025. The Water Sector Reform is about transferring water resources management from administrative to hydrological boundaries. As the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources is the reform coordinator, new organizations have been formed: the National Water Council(a consultative body on a state water policy at the national level), River Basin Organizations(a basin executive authority and responsible for coordinating the implementation of the state water policy at a basin level), River Basin Councils(a basin representative authority representing the voice of basin water users and stakeholders). Turkmenistan is the highest per capita users of water in the world. However a salinity increased 25 times compared with former Soviet Union, as inefficient technology and bad water distribution. In order to solve this problem, government, public company, and private stake holders are involving a law amendment in order to implement IWRM. In order to have secure water resources, Swiss have subsidized 2.66million dollars to the Uzbekistan. Introducing drip irrigation and furrow irrigation, 5 farm can save 47,500㎥ of water.
- Conference Article
4
- 10.1061/9780784412312.223
- May 17, 2012
- World Environmental And Water Resources Congress 2012
Urban water infrastructure systems, including drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater, should be designed to efficiently use water and energy resources. Current design paradigms typically neglect the interconnection among these systems; water, wastewater, and stormwater are treated at centralized facilities, and water services are distributed within a municipality through pipe networks. Due to water shortages and limited budgets, water utilities may encourage individual households to adopt water reuse, water conservation, and lot-level stormwater treatment technologies, which may produce a decentralized water service system. Transitioning from a centralized to a decentralized approach within urban water infrastructure systems will change demands and affect the performance of the existing infrastructure and the use of energy and water resources. To enable exploration of the impacts of decentralization on the sustainability and resilience of urban water infrastructure systems, a Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) approach is developed here. This modeling framework characterizes the various feedback loops, dynamic interactions, and emergent phenomena that result from the interactions of decentralized and centralized components of the water infrastructure systems. Specifically, rainwater harvesting is explored as a decentralization technology, which reduces stormwater service demands and drinking water demands on the centralized infrastructure systems. An agent-based modeling approach is used to simulate technology adoption of individual consumers in response to water shortages and is coupled with water and energy utilization models. The framework provides insight to the interconnections and interactions between the consumers, water supply and delivery system and the effect of these interactions on water and energy use and sustainability; infrastructure system design; and system resilience, as a system transitions from a centralized to a decentralized layout.
- Research Article
41
- 10.1186/s40068-020-00168-3
- Apr 20, 2020
- Environmental Systems Research
BackgroundThe city of Addis Ababa is under rapid development and there are enormous construction activities along with rapid urbanization, and industrialization. These anthropogenic actions combined with population growth rate are affecting the water demand of the city. The overall purpose of this study is to model water supply and demand of the city and to identify potential water management strategies that supports the sustainable development goal number six (SDG6)—clean water and sanitation.MethodsWe employed the Water Evaluation and Planning system (WEAP) modelling framework to analyze different scenarios for water demand and supply. The scenarios include population growth, living standard, as well as other supply and demand strategies.ResultsFor the modelling period, the reference scenario shows unmet water demand increases by around 48%, from 208 to 307 million cubic meter in 2015 and 2030 respectively. High population growth rate and high living standard scenarios have a great negative impact on the water supply system.ConclusionsSatisfying the future water demand of Addis Ababa will depend on the measures which are taken today. The integrated water management practices such as reuse of water and the selected future scenarios are proposed to decrease and manage the unmet water demand of the city. Hence, future predicted scenarios which is the combination of the external factors (i.e. population growth rate and living standard) and water management strategies were considered. From the analyzed scenarios, optimistic future strategies will support the management of the existing water supply and demand system of the city. Similarly, in the integrated management strategies scenario, it was assumed that measures were taken at both the demand and supply side to improve the efficiency of water in the entire chain. Thus, if the water sector professionals and other concerned bodies consider the selected scenarios, it will go a long way to solve the water shortage problem in the city, and this will also help to promote sustainable water management.
- Research Article
14
- 10.1111/j.1936-704x.2008.00014.x
- Jun 1, 2008
- Journal of Contemporary Water Research & Education
Managing water in an integrated and sustainable manner is currently challenging water resource managers throughout the world. It requires professionals from many disciplines working together with impacted stakeholders in crafting a strategy that is economically efficient, ecologically sound, and acceptable to all who are impacted by how this resource is managed over space and time. We at universities are continually thinking about how we can better prepare our students who elect to become our future water resources planners and managers. This paper identifies some of the issues and challenges facing educators in this field, and some possible ways of addressing them. The amount of water available and suitable for human use in the world is limited. Too many humans must live with less water than what they would like, and even need, to maintain their health let alone their overall welfare. Currently the world's water resource systems are not able to provide everyone reliable potable water at reasonable costs. Populations are increasing, as are per capita demands for water. The United Nations tells us about one person in six, on average, in this world has no access to safe drinking water, and about one in three lacks adequate sanitation. In many countries these percentages are substantially higher. One can assume that those without clean water to drink are sick. The World Health Organization (WHO) tells us more than 30 thousand children under the age of five die from either hunger or from water-borne and easily-preventable diseases. We use about 70 percent of our freshwater resources for agriculture. What we get for that varies considerably. The World Water Council believes that by 2020 we shall need 17 percent more water than is currently available if we are to feed everyone. Do all these grim statistics suggest a water crisis? Will there be a water crisis in the future? Much depends on how we manage our water and our watersheds (Rogers et al. 2006). And this in turn depends on our abilities at universities to provide the personnel with the training and capacity to manage this resource effectively. With perhaps a few exceptions, those of us who live in North America are not dying from lack of water or sanitation. We are fortunate. We seem to have enough water, although the recent droughts in the southeast and in the west suggests we may be increasingly challenged to meet our demands for water supplies, to keep our rivers flowing and clean and our aquatic ecosystems functioning as they should. We can manage all our natural resources better, and professionals know this, but deciding what is better and implementing measures to be better involves more than just professionals. Politicians representing the public, and increasingly the public itself, are participants in this decision-making process. They define what is “better” and when and how to act. And inevitably acting requires money. Acting in ways to prevent crises is not always easy to do. There are always more pressing matters that get people's attention – and their money – until of course there really is a water crisis. This has prompted the well-known concept called the hydro-illogical cycle illustrating the lack of interest in planning for floods during periods of drought, or in planning for droughts when experiencing a flood. Many of the issues facing water and environmental resource managers today generally stem from the following factors: changing priorities of water and environmental management objectives over time – for example from economic efficiency to ecological health and diversity that require changes in past policies and even infrastructure, the way our institutions work, the need for multiple disciplinary inputs and public participation, uncertainties regarding future demands, supplies, and pollutant types and loads, and a lack of adequate understanding of many natural and social processes affecting, and affected by, the management of water and environmental resources. Managers and planners are challenged to develop plans and policies for serving often conflicting multiple purposes and satisfying multiple objectives expressed by multiple stakeholders representing multiple interests and backgrounds, all lacking perfect knowledge of what economic, physical, chemical, biological, ecological and social impacts will result from what ever decisions they make. We all could benefit from better science, better management tools, better training of professionals in all the applicable disciplines, and political institutions that can provide the expertise and leadership that will result in more timely, integrated, and sustainable water resources and environmental management plans and policies. The remainder of this paper outlines some current issues related to the training of individuals who wish to accept the challenges just described and contribute to improving how we manage our water and environmental resources. Recent decades have witnessed a shift in emphasis by U.S. agencies providing funds for research and training of graduates interested in environmental and water resources management. The emphasis has been on addressing scientific uncertainties and less toward planning and management issues. This runs counter to those who claim there is a need for improved environmental and water resource management. One result of this shift away from research in planning and managerial issues has been the decline of academic programs in water management and planning. Ironically, weather- and climate-related research programs, as well as large-scale observation initiatives promoted by many in the hydrologic, ecological, environmental engineering and other communities, increasingly cite benefits for water resources, environmental, and ecological management as central to their programmatic justification. Having more scientific information and the understanding that comes from it does not automatically mean we know how best to use it. There are many scientific, technical, political, practical, and regulatory challenges to integrating advances in hydrologic science into policies for managing environmental and water resources. There may be an unrealized potential, for instance, for using improvements in hydrologic forecasting based on new data sources and methods, such as embedded environmental sensors and data assimilation techniques. As science teaches us more about the processes taking place at the interface of hydrology and climate, and as the hydrologic, water quality, and associated ecological implications of land cover change become better understood, ways are needed to incorporate this knowledge into management plans and policies. Research is needed to figure out how best to do that, and trained professional planners and managers are needed to make it happen. At various universities, debates are taking place over a variety of issues, some of which are listed below. Issue #1: Educational policy – should universities turn out more well-trained engineering professionals and scientists, or more broadly trained generalists? Many will argue that there is an overarching need for people who know there is a world beyond where they live and work and can appreciate how history and culture affects current events. There is a need for individuals who can evaluate, think, and speak and write effectively at technical and non-technical levels. In my opinion, such skills should be obtained at the undergraduate level. One way to get this background is to obtain a liberal arts education (including study in a foreign country). Expertise in specific technical disciplines can be obtained at the master's level. After all, medicine, law, and business are graduate subjects. Why not in this multidisciplinary water resource field as well? Obviously for those desiring engineering or the sciences some basic introductory courses would be expected at the undergraduate level, just as pre-med courses are expected for admission to most medical schools. This is not to say we cannot train students to become competent technical professionals with engineering, economic, ecological, or natural resource degrees, for example, at the undergraduate level, but doing that eliminates the time needed for students to obtain the other skills that all should have who expect to become tomorrow's leaders in whatever they do. Yet in much of the world, attending universities costs money, especially at private universities and colleges. This means we need fellowships and training grants to attract the best and brightest students we can to our water resources profession. Issue #2: Course curricula – do they need changing? Many universities need to take a serious look at their curricula more often than they do. It seems much easier to change course contents than the overall plan. Most educators support exposing students to interdisciplinary projects at both graduate and undergraduate levels, so that students learn to participate productively in such projects and recognize the approaches and issues of fields other than their own. Engineers, economists, and ecologists especially need to appreciate each other's approaches to problem solving. Being exposed to case studies, including failed projects and those that get students out in the field is also beneficial. This gives them an appreciation of multidisciplinary team-building and dealing with multiple conflicting goals such as drought mitigation, flood management, flash flood prediction, water supply, transportation, emergency management, agriculture, and ecosystem stewardship – and conflicting opinions about how to achieve them. Issue #3: Continuing education: How can it best be provided to all professionals? Some have suggested that whatever the technical information students learn, it will be obsolete by the time they get their first job. The rate of increase in knowledge and changes in technology seem to be increasing over time. The half-life of the technical information we teach our students is decreasing. On-the-job training and continuing education throughout one's professional career is an absolute necessity. How can universities best meet this need? Some governmental agencies concerned with environmental and water resources management have programs for continuing education. However, a high turnover rate often makes this uneconomic. Professors themselves need continuing education as well. Their research provides some of this, but they also can learn from their consulting and what they do on their sabbatical leaves. All professionals should be provided such opportunities, not just academics. Issue #4: Funding. Can the needed changes in education be accomplished in the absence of changes in funding “carrots and sticks”? Difficulties in supporting students studying water and environmental resources management have led to the relative lack of students studying these subjects. University deans look for where the money is when they analyze continuing and new directions for their academic departments. The availability of fellowships, traineeships, and research grants are noticed. Industry can also provide support, and in many disciplines they do, but in the water and environmental resources arena the private sector has not been a major player. Managing water and environmental resources is primarily a public responsibility. Nevertheless industry has provided some support, for example to the American Water Works Association Research Foundation which promotes research and technology transfer. Coop programs, internships, and traineeships that expose students to the real world may be a partial solution. The USDA-CSREES coop funding program is an example for agricultural water management. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers master's degree program in planning is another example. Employers working in the water management area often report difficulties in finding employees with the appropriate backgrounds. Because of the decrease in funding of research and training grants in the water planning and management area, few young graduate students are finding their way into the field. This leads to fewer students being trained in the areas of most interest to these employers. The report Freshwater Ecosystems: Revitalizing Educational Programs in Limnology (National Research Council 1996) included a chapter on linking education and water resource management. Water is viewed as a public good, and thus those who manage it are often associated with government agencies. At a recent meeting of the National Research Council (Logan 2006), several government agencies stated their need for articulate young people prepared for working in interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary teams, which is the nature of modern water management, viewing problems in a broad systems context – water management decisions made upstream “reverberate” downstream influencing eco-systems, fisheries, and the coastal zone in general, linking societal goals and objectives with performance measures and conceptual eco-logical models, adaptability in general and adaptive manage-ment in particular, quantifying and dealing with risk and uncertainty, and conflict management and resolution in a stakeholder-driven participatory political process. One can think of other skills needed to address some of our current and future management challenges. For example, how can managers most effectively design, manage and operate infrastructure in the face of non-stationarity in water supply and demand; identify and provide environmental flows in already over-allocated systems, especially in times of drought, and environmental effects of reservoir operation and dam removal; alter reservoir regulation in the face of changing uses and priorities, environmental and ecological uncertainties and needs, and possibly the removal of past engineering infrastructure such as dams and canals; predict and then respond to hydrologic responses to precipitation, surface water generation and transport, environmental stresses on aquatic ecosystems, the relationships between landscape changes, sediment fluxes, and subsurface transport, as well as mapping ground water recharge and discharge vulnerability; respond to the environmental, economic, health and social impacts caused by floods, droughts, sedimentation, and contamination including from pharmaceuticals and other household chemicals and products; provide an early warning for flooding, droughts, habitat degradation, and health hazards, increase the efficiency of water use, especially in the agricultural sector; address questions whose answers require knowledge of the quantitative relationships among various physical, chemical, biological, and social process occurring at disparate spatial or temporal scales. For example, how can we scale up to larger area forecasts from knowledge of smaller habitat patch scale ones? How can we estimate regional aquatic ecosystem processes over entire river basins often based on small plot experiments and observations? deal with deforestation, suburbanization, road construction, agriculture, and other human land-use activities that impact economies and ecosystems (changes in land cover, climate, and land use affect water quantity and quality regimes which impact ecosystem health and other uses of water such as for drinking, irrigation, industry and recreation); manage chemical and biological components of the hydrological cycle under changing land uses and habitats, and control invasive species … This list could continue. Suffice to say there are many subjects a competent water resource manager should be familiar with, at least to the extent that the issues are appreciated and that effective communication can take place between the manager and experts or specialists when appropriate. Today's planning and management environment involves public participation, not just at the final stages of planning, but throughout the process, including decision making. Tools are being developed to help all stakeholders gain a “shared vision” of how their system works, and the physical, economic, environmental, ecological and sometimes the social impacts of various plans and management policies. Such public participation does not make the planning and management processes any easier, or more efficient, or cheaper. In fact often the opposite happens. But the end result has a far better chance of being robust to multiple interests and thus more sustainable in the long run (ASCE 1998). Future water resources managers need to know how to facilitate such participation. Water resources professors cannot rest on their laurels. Planning and management issues continue to evolve as do their demands on this profession. Students today will be faced with problems and technology we can only speculate about today. But they have to be prepared to effectively address those issues and use that technology. It's the job of those of us involved in water resources planning and management programs at universities to ensure our graduates have that capability. The increasing breadth, complexity, and rate of change of professional practice places a greater emphasis not only on continuing education but also on what a basic professional education must deliver at the undergraduate as well as graduate levels. The body of knowledge necessary to effectively manage water resources is beyond the scope of the traditional bachelor's degree, even when coupled with early-career experience. Education must meld technical excellence with the ability to lead, influence, and integrate a diverse number of disciplines and stakeholders – all required to meet societal goals in some ‘best’ and most sustainable way. Ideally, graduates from university programs in water resources planning and management should be knowledgeable in their particular discipline, as well as conversant with other applicable disciplines. An engineer, for example, should not only understand how to use the theories, principles, and/or fundamentals of mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering economics, biology, and probability and statistics underlying engineering but also be exposed to political processes, systems analysis and computer modeling, laws and regulations, history, sociology, and ethics. Most importantly, they should know how to work in interdisciplinary teams and effectively and clearly communicate orally and in writing. They must be optimistic in the face of challenges and setbacks they will surely face, and be committed to ethical behavior, both personally and professionally. After graduation they must remain curious and willing to continue learning fresh approaches, develop and use new technology or innovative applications of existing technology, and take on new endeavors that require research and ingenuity. Managing our water resources, including our ecosystems in our natural and built environments, involves both technical and administrative expertise. It involves both the “hard” as well as the “soft” sciences. In the hard sciences, the laws of physics, biology, chemistry, and mathematics are well established. The same cannot be said of the soft social and political sciences. Thus the “hard” sciences are easy. The “soft” sciences are hard. Clearly, however, we need more people competent in both to address many of the issues water resource managers are facing today. Daniel P. Loucks is a professor in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, USA, (www.cornell.edu) where he teaches and directs research in the development and application of economics, ecology and systems analysis methods for estimating the impacts of alternative policies aimed at solving environmental and regional water resources problems. He has authored articles and book chapters in these subject areas and has been involved in various development and environmental restoration projects throughout the world. He may be reached at Loucks@cornell.edu.
- Single Report
19
- 10.3133/wri78126
- Jan 1, 1979
Expanded coal production and conversion in the Yampa River basin, Colorado and Wyoming, may have substantial impacts on water resources, environmental amenities, and socioeconomic conditions.
- Research Article
3
- 10.1111/j.1745-6584.2008.00540.x
- Aug 31, 2009
- Groundwater
We all agree on the urgent need to develop solar, wind, and biofuel energy resources, but this editorial is not about alternative energy. We should first admit that all of us depend on petroleum energy consumption. We drive to work, heat our houses, fly to conferences or to vacations on sunny beaches, and buy goods from the grocery store. However, we also face an economic imperative to reduce consumption, particularly our reliance on foreign oil and gas. As our petroleum reserves decline, energy companies are focusing on development of natural gas and unconventional reserves such as oil shale and coalbed methane. Development of these resources will consume significant amounts of water and generate large volumes of water that require treatment. Many of the most promising unconventional deposits are in the western United States and Canada, where water resources are scarce. Thus, the joint sustainability of petroleum-energy production and water resources has emerged as an evermore important technical challenge. As hydrogeologists, we are interested in the sustainability of our water resources. As citizens, hydrogeologists care about the sustainability of our energy resources. Oil and gas professionals have the same interests but a fundamentally different perspective on water. Water is viewed as a waste product from petroleum production and is not historically associated with water resources. This view is woven into business models and regulatory structures. As hydrogeologists, we recognize the environmental, social, regulatory, and legal limitations of this view. Fortunately, joint sustainability of oil and gas energy and water is within our grasp. However, to achieve this sustainability, we must overcome complex technical and regulatory issues. For example, coalbed methane extraction requires dewatering coalbeds, units that are often interbedded with aquifers. The shortand long-term effects of large withdrawals from coalbeds on hydraulically connected aquifers and associated streamflow are often not considered, let alone quantified rigorously. Produced water is disposed of rather than reclaimed, usually by surface discharge or infiltration, without much regard to the watershed hydrology. This ‘‘waste product’’ can be nearly potable to saline water that could be used beneficially with appropriate treatment. What if we were to treat this ‘‘waste’’ as a resource? What if we were to recognize and actively manage the interactions of the entire system, including both water and energy resources? This approach requires overcoming many hurdles besides professional perspectives. For instance, produced water, ground water, and natural resources are typically regulated by separate governmental agencies. It is not clear which laws take precedence when they suggest conflicting requirements. Current watershed models do not include consideration of subsurface processes related to energy extraction nor do current energy extraction models consider impacts on overand underlying aquifers and streams. Legal or regulatory precedents often result in use of simple screening models for water resources assessment rather than rigorous hydrologic modeling now commonly used by hydrogeologists. Thus, education of the public, energy companies, judges, attorneys, and regulators on the current best practice for water resources assessments needs to be a priority. The optimum outcome requires comprehensive and integrated water management planning that provides for energy-related extraction, reclamation of produced water, or disposal that minimizes undesirable watershed impacts. Oil shale development presents a similar challenge. While the extraction technology is not fully developed, all proposed methods require significant amounts of water and will produce considerable volumes of wastewater. In situ retorts have an unknown impact on ground water quality. Much of the water must come from the Upper Colorado River basin, which supplies seven western states and Mexico. Thus, integrated hydrologic assessments must be performed to ensure future sustainability of water for energy production, development, and natural resources. For both technologies, models should be developed that can estimate the watershed-scale effects on water quantity and quality. Technology for treating coproduced water for environmental, industrial, or residential use should be developed concurrently with production technologies. A reasoned approach would integrate water resource assessment with energy exploration and production. Surface and ground water modeling conducted jointly with reservoir engineering studies can steer drilling that balances the optimal hydrocarbon production and minimizes disturbance to water resources. In the meantime, policy makers should construct modern guidelines that recognize beneficial use of coproduced water. Water policies inconsistent with joint sustainability must be revisited. Joint research programs in energy-water sustainability should be a priority of funding agencies. Perhaps most importantly, transparent, honest discussions must begin among energy professionals, policy makers, regulators, legal experts, water-resources professional, and stakeholders. We are all citizens who depend on the joint sustainability of water and energy resources.
- Research Article
2
- 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2010.00458.x
- Jul 26, 2010
- JAWRA Journal of the American Water Resources Association
Integrated Water Resources Management in Practice: Better Water Management for Development , R. Lenton and M. Muller ( Editors ). Earthscan , 22883 Quicksilver Dr., Sterling, Virginia 20166-2012 . 2009 . 228 pages. $78 . ISBN 978-1-84407-650-5 . This book is a welcome addition to the literature promoting integrated water resources management (IWRM). Robert Lenton and Mike Muller make a strong case for better management of water resources using the IWRM approach, widely recognized as the most appropriate way to address a wide range of water-related development and environmental issues confronting mankind today. The presentation of recent achievements and future possibilities in equitably and sustainably managing water resources toward meeting economic and social goals and insure environmental integrity in different parts of the world may be considered a benchmark that bodes well for further progress. The book begins with an introduction to the principles and practices of IWRM, which remain poorly understood, even in the water sector and development arena. This chapter also outlines the conceptual framework used in this book, which sets it apart from other publications. This includes a focus not only on processes in IWRM (e.g., changes in policy, laws, and organizational structures) but also the ultimate outcome and impact of using this approach, rendering the book as a much needed practical guide for planners and practitioners. The four spatially structured parts of the book take the reader from the local to the basin, national, and transnational levels. Twelve of the 14 chapters present case studies in East and Southeast Asia (five chapters), Africa and Latin America (two chapters each), and in Europe, North America, and Australia (one chapter each). The case studies document how better water management guided by the IWRM approach significantly contributed to achieve a large number of development goals in different communities and countries with different socioeconomic and environmental conditions and scales. While the editors duly acknowledge the challenge of deriving overall conclusions about what works and what does not work in different settings, they are able to succinctly and convincingly distill the various strands running through the book in the Conclusion. By considering the major objectives, processes, and outcomes of good water management, the management of water at different scales, and the nature of the IWRM approach itself in the context of the various chapter studies, they conclude that in all of the cases described the basic approach that was applied recognized the following elements: (1) the unitary nature of the water resource that recognizes the interconnectedness of surface, ground, and evaporated water, (2) the physical interventions that could be adopted to manage it, (3) the limits to those physical interventions, and (4) the need for an institutional framework that brought stakeholders together in an equitable manner and gave voice to both the weak and powerful, sought to achieve a balance of interests among them, identified the environmental dimension of water management and developed organizations able to promote the overall approach. The editors further note that these elements utilized in nearly all cases presented in the book were not considered to be explicit applications of the IWRM approach but rather began before the concept was formalized (as in India, Chile, Japan, Mexico, and China) or were incidental (in South Africa and Australia). These facts help to dispel the notion that IWRM is an unrealistic, overly ambitious approach and a fixed prescription that requires the employment of all available tools in its arsenal or a magic bullet. Similarly, the focus on individual tools has tended to hamper water management and the establishment of river basin organizations as a routine first step has played only a secondary role in improving water management in many cases (in South Africa and Chile, for example) and no role in others (Japan and Denmark). These findings strengthen the editors’ argument that IWRM offers a flexible and adaptable framework within which a wide range of water and development problems in different communities and countries can be addressed. Also highlighted in the Conclusion are remaining challenges in applying IWRM in practice. They include overcoming implementation difficulties at the macro-level; finding the proper mix of formal and informal mechanisms in operations; the need for more flexible as well as community-specific and system-wide planning and management rather than blueprint packages in many developing countries; and challenges for integration arising at the interface between water, sectoral, territorial, and organizational systems, particularly governance and participation issues at the international transboundary level. The writing style is lucid and captivating and the focus on real world examples rather than theoretical constructs captivate the inquisitive mind, making it difficult to put the book down. The few typographical errors do not detract from the quality of the presentation. Three relatively minor technical problems – the use of the same gray tones for different categories of water stress indicators in Figure 1.1 instead of using a color scheme, the poor print quality of this world map (all other figures in the book are excellent), and the weak binding I noticed on my paperback copy – should not detract from the intrinsic value of this well conceived and meticulously researched book. As a geographer interested in Third World water resources management and water-related health problems I enjoyed reading the broadly based case studies presented in this much needed book. Planners, water managers, researchers, and students will want to have a copy on their shelves for reference, guidance, and inspiration. Helmut Kloos Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics University of California San Francisco, California 94134-0560 E-mail: helmutk@comcast.net The Sustainable Management of Groundwater in Canada , The Expert Panel on Groundwater . Council of Canadian Academies , 180 Elgin St., Ste. 1401, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K2P 2K3 . 2009 . 253 pages . ISBN 978-1-926558-09-7 . I enthusiastically agreed to review this book, The Sustainable Management of Groundwater in Canada (Groundwater) penned by the Expert Panel on Groundwater (Panel) not only because I have a great interest in sustainability issues but also because I had heard much in the popular press about the Athabasca Oil Sands project and I hoped the Panel would discuss energy production and sustainable use of water – I was not disappointed on either count. I do not want to mislead the reader though –Groundwater covers a wide range of topics from governance to flow modeling to markets and case studies. Although Groundwater was written explicitly for or from a Canadian perspective, many if not all of the topics are applicable to work in other countries. Many of the authors that served on the Panel are instantly recognizable names with groundwater and hydrology experience garnered from across the globe (interestingly, but not surprisingly, many of these world renowned authors work in Canada); this breadth and depth of expertise helps to make Groundwater a relatively easy to read book especially given the complex nature of groundwater and sustainability. There are too many topics to discuss in detail in this review. Still, to give the reader a sense of this book, some of the salient topics are reviewed here. The Panel identified five sustainability goals to include protection of groundwater from depletion and contamination, protection of ecosystem viability, achievement of economic and social well being and application of good governance; these individual sustainability goals are envisioned as equal members in the schematic put forth by the Panel. This reader agrees that this pentad of sustainability goals should be implemented in future projects although if history teaches us anything, in practice, these goals might not enjoy equal strength or standing; the Panel offers case studies that illustrate the importance of the implementation of (or, sadly, as the case may be, lack of) sustainability goals. Part of the appeal of Groundwater is the ability of the Panel to explain abstruse concepts by the judicious use of footnotes and many well written topic-boxes. One such footnote on page 17 helps exemplify the pedagogical tenor of Groundwater and (a portion of this particular footnote) is well worth repeating here: “The precautionary principle seeks to encourage those undertaking projects to consider and address harm to the public or the environment even if the scientific consensus that harm will occur is unclear.” Unfortunately, it seems from some of the case studies discussed here, all too often, the precautionary principle has not been applied in many cases. An example of topic-box discussions is given on page 113, where the Panel expands on topics such as the Tragedy of the Commons and water. I cannot help but wonder if present day appropriation schemata, such as the doctrine of prior appropriation, riparian rights, correlative rights, rule of capture, etc., have helped to perpetuate the tragedy. Hopefully, some day soon, the Tragedy of the Commons will be relegated to a footnote in history. The Panel discusses many case studies to help illustrate the effects of climate change (Prairie Groundwater), population growth (Denver Basin), and energy production (Athabasca Oil Sands) on sustainable use of water. Groundwater incites some mental rumination (and this is why I am excited by this type of book) – each of these case studies could also be seen to show how climate change, population growth, and energy production also affect another timely topic – food production and economic security. It should be noted that the Panel briefly discusses bio-fuel production generally – presumably because this topic and technology is in an almost mercurial state of flux. However, probably one of the most important topics discussed in Groundwater concerns the use of “... economic instruments such as water prices, abstraction fees, and tradable permits...” to help manage water. This of course could be seen to be a point of contention in places where present day appropriation rules govern water allocations. Given the stressors that affect water such as climate change, population growth, and food and energy security, economic instruments might offer an attractive means to equitably manage water resources (to be fair the significance of these stressors might not have been recognized in earlier times when various appropriation rules were enacted). The Panel notes numerical modeling simulation studies that “...show a significant improvement in the efficiency of water allocation (relative to current allocations) as a result of water trades.” In the face of these changes in climate and population, it may be time to heed these tocsins presented in the various case studies and perhaps consider a retooling of management and regulations schema. In sum, The Sustainable Management of Groundwater in Canada, is an easy to read book written by an expert panel of world renowned water experts. The topics are fresh and timely and applicable both in Canada as well as other parts of the world. I am glad that I read the book and would suggest that it be included on a must-read list to colleagues. Kevin Jeffrey Spelts Twin Platte Natural Resources District, 302 S. Oak St., North Platte, Nebraska 69101 Fluvial Hydraulics , L. Dingman . Oxford University Press , 198 Madison Ave., New York, New York 10016 . 2009 . 559 pages . ISBN 978-0-19-517286-7 . I became familiar with Professor Dingman’s work when I used his Fluvial Hydrology (Dingman, 1984, now out of print) for my graduate work in channel morphology and sediment transport. Fluvial Hydraulics builds upon the geomorphology and fluvial hydraulics presented in Fluvial Hydrology, but Dingman’s new book includes more information on basic-fluid mechanics and a more extensive discussion of the characteristics of natural rivers. Dingman’s preface to Fluvial Hydraulics states that “The overall goal of this book is to develop a sound qualitative and quantitative understanding of the physics of natural river flows for practitioners and students.” That goal is most certainly met. Fluvial-hydraulics concepts, from basic hydraulic relationships to complex phenomena such as turbulence and hydraulic jumps, are clearly presented. The equation derivations are logical and fairly easy to understand. The figures and photographs are clear and complement understanding of the text. Examples and additional derivations are presented in boxes for the reader who is interested in a deeper understanding of the material. Dingman begins with an Introduction that describes volumes of water in the components of the hydrologic cycle and in the world’s largest rivers. The Introduction also includes a fascinating history of fluvial hydraulics and personalities that advanced the science. Chapters 2, 3, and 4 provide a foundation for the study of open-channel flow. In Chapter 2, Dingman discusses the morphologic and hydrologic characteristics of natural streams; in Chapter 3, he describes water’s atomic and molecular structure and other properties. Then, in Chapter 4, Dingman introduces the basic equations for fluid properties and hydraulic variables, including relationships based on the conservation of mass, momentum, and energy, and equations based on diffusion and force/balance relationships. Equations based on dimensional analysis and empirical and heuristic relations also are described. Chapters 5, 6, and 7 present relationships between velocity and flow resistance, the Prandtl-von Karman vertical-velocity profile, the Chezy, Darcy-Weisbach, and Manning’s equations, and magnitudes of driving and resisting forces in natural streams. The next two chapters discuss momentum and energy principles, equations for gradually-varied flow, and methods for calculating water-surface profiles. In Chapter 10, Dingman describes steady, rapidly-varied flow, including analysis of hydraulics at abrupt transitions and structures for discharge measurement. In Chapter 11, he discusses unsteady flow, including an excellent description of waves and prediction of wave depths and speed of travel. In Chapter 12, he discusses sediment entrainment and transport, including sediment-transport measurement, factors that dictate the shape of alluvial channel cross sections, and flow competence. Appendix A presents thorough discussions on dimensions, units, and numerical precision. In lieu of problems or exercises, Dingman provides online spreadsheets for flow databases, synthetic channel hydraulics, and water-surface profile computations. These spreadsheets are described in Appendices B, C, and D. I was unable to reach the website at the URL included in the text, but found the spreadsheets at this URL by searching the publisher’s website: http://www.oup.com/us/companion.websites/9780195172867/?view=usa. I was unable to find the links to other fluvial geomorphologic websites or discussion pages noted in the introduction. The book will be useful for an undergraduate-level or graduate-level class in channel hydraulics and morphology, for students with an understanding of basic calculus and university-level physics. For civil engineers, the book is a valuable companion to classic open-channel texts because it includes extensive discussions and applications focused on natural streams. For researchers, practitioners, and students in the natural-resources sciences, the book provides clear and complete discussions of open-channel flow that do not require a theoretical background in fluid mechanics to understand. This book will spend more time on my desk than on my shelf; I will refer to it often. Katherine J. Chase, PE 541 Diehl Dr. Helena, Montana 59601 The World’s Water: 2008-2009, The Biennial Report on Freshwater Resources , P.H. Gleick with H. Cooley , M.J. Cohen , M. Morikawa , J. Morrison , and M. Palaniappan . Island Press , 1718 Connecticut Ave. NW, Ste. 300, Washington, D.C. 20009 . 2008 . 402 pages. $35 . ISBN 978-1-59726-505-8 . The First Biennial Report on Freshwater Resources for the world by Peter H. Gleick was issued in 1998. The Sixth Biennial Report by Peter H. Gleick and his associates is the latest version and covers the period 2008-2009. The series continues to be an invaluable collection of all kinds of water-related material, ranging from concise stand-alone chapters on important topics to numerous sections of data that have been updated as much as possible given the mix of reporting countries. A sampling of some of the six discussion chapters that are at the beginning of the book of 402 pages should provide the reader a good sense of the nature of the material. The first chapter by M. Palaniappan and P. H. Gleick on “Peak Water” provides an interesting discussion of the similarities and differences between oil and water. The importance of ocean water desalination is that the amount is unlimited, but the problem is how much we are willing to pay for it. In areas where water is really scarce, such as selected islands in the Caribbean and certain parts of the Persian Gulf, desalination is already becoming an “economically competitive alternative.” Chapter 2 on “Business Reporting on Water” by M. Morikawa, J. Morrison, and P. H. Gleick provides a useful accounting of corporate reporting of non-financial environmental information in annual reports that started in the 1970s. These non-financial reports have grown from fewer than 50 in 1992 to over 1,900 in 2005 and 2,470 by 2007. As expected, water management and use reporting by major corporations vary from industry to industry. In addition, and regrettably, most corporations rarely report on water recycling and reuse. The next chapter by H. Cooley deals with water management in a changing climate. A sampling of some of the water resource issues associated with climate change include the following: (1) climate change will affect the quantity and timing of surface runoff, (2) groundwater is less understood than surface water and sea level rise could result in greater saltwater intrusion in coastal aquifers, and (3) agriculture accounts for 70-80% of global water use and lawns in hot, dry areas can account for 70% of total residential water use. Even in developed countries, water infrastructure that was designed and operated on historic water conditions may become a problem in the future. In 2002, 1.1 billion people did not have access to improved water supply and 2.6 billion did not have access to improved sanitation. Of particular interest is the section from pages 151-193 by P. H. Gleick pertaining to the chronology of water conflicts from Noah’s flood of about 5,000 years ago to fights between animal herders and farmers in Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Cote D’Ivoire in 2007 in the Sahel region of West Africa just south of the Sahara Desert. a description of the of the the and the It is clearly a valuable on the world history of water conflicts that are not in number and of this book is the of that on pages A sampling of these data include information on water and use by data on access to water and updated on in Africa and the information on in five years of from water-related and data on the of water in selected countries and In this book is as an excellent of information on the world’s It is well and includes an extensive on a of water-related It is a for interested in the water resource Robert M. Water Resources New A of the of 2008 , ( ). University of Press , . . pages. . ISBN . 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ISBN . to water, and are a in developing countries, with many by water and and This document provides on water, and in The are designed to be used in in and countries, and to the development of for the , University of California Press , California . . pages. . ISBN . An ecosystem in a water supply for and an of – this is the the major of water by a of water this based on the latest to the economic and the authors find that a as of a and management to be the both for a quality water supply and for improving conditions for and in Water for Sustainable Development , L. and ( Editors ). , Virginia . . pages. . ISBN . As water the world are in of better to manage water The of this book is to provide a new approach for the analysis and of water that govern the use and development of water particularly for which is the largest The authors present empirical with detail analysis of the data for the of and and of water management that are to resource The book includes and for Sustainable , H. ( ). Press , St., . . pages. . ISBN . This book provides a discussion of the importance of and governance in the and provides examples from the world of how and instruments have been to the development of sustainable how they have and what factors have or it how issues such as bio-fuel production and energy the The book will be useful to researchers, and environmental and , . University Press , of the New York, New York . . pages. . ISBN . This book provides a concise introduction to the and of the including the of sea water and the of the ocean an of including the water and the and the between the and the to help the reader a clear mental of the physical principles it is invaluable for advanced in ocean and as a for and other
- Preprint Article
- 10.5194/egusphere-egu23-13969
- May 15, 2023
Arid and semi-arid regions such as the Middle East and North Africa are increasingly suffering from water scarcity, exacerbated by climate change and population growth. This trend calls for new strategies for managing water demand and supply to face global changes in social-economic development, water system expansions, and cross-border differences.In this work, we explore the potential to mitigate the existing conflicts over the Nile River Basin, interconnecting water demand and supply using novel technological solutions, such as desalination and aquaponics, combined with traditional uses (i.e., groundwater extraction and water reuse). We analyse the complex dynamics and tradeoffs between energy production and irrigation water supply in Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt. We propose innovative portfolios of interventions that combine the coordinated operation of large water dams (i.e., the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance, Merowe, and High Aswan) and the main irrigation diversions with smart water demand management options. Desalination involves the process of removing salt and other minerals from seawater, making it suitable for irrigation and other domestic uses. Aquaponics involves the cultivation of fish and plants in a symbiotic environment, with the waste produced by the fish providing nutrients for the plants and the plants purifying the water for the fish. This technology can be an efficient and sustainable way to produce food with very low water consumption.Our approach is used to study current and future tradeoffs, generating solutions that are efficient and resilient to future hydroclimatic and demographic scenarios. We first quantified the impacts of dynamically downscaled and bias-adjusted climate projections for three Representative Concentrated Pathways (i.e., RCP2.6, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) on the runoffs of the main tributaries of the Nile. We also considered stochastic projections of water demand based on Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs), and a strategic model that reallocates crops according to future climatic and demographic scenarios, according to a balanced diet and agricultural intensification strategy to generate a positive impact on food self-sufficiency.Our results show that the Nile River Basin features both strong tradeoffs and synergies across riparian countries, with the irrigation supply in Sudan playing a major role in allocating water between competing sectors. The results show a decrease of up to 20% of the Nile River's runoff and a doubling of the Egyptian municipal demand in the most severe scenario that leads to exacerbating tensions between the three countries. Notably, the potential reduction of the Egyptian water demand through different combinations of aquaponics, desalination, reuse, and groundwater pumping in the Nile Delta, along with a substantial decrease in Sudan irrigation demand through crop reallocation, can contribute to mitigating existing and future conflicts. Further technological improvements are needed for attaining large water demand reductions via soilless agriculture and desalination, which today cannot completely substitute reuse and groundwater contributions, whose high exploitation can induce relevant environmental risks.
- Research Article
58
- 10.1016/s0011-9164(01)00288-0
- Sep 1, 2001
- Desalination
Desalination and water resource management in Kuwait
- Research Article
22
- 10.1016/s0011-9164(01)00259-4
- Sep 1, 2001
- Desalination
Desalination and water resource management in Kuwait
- Research Article
- 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2010.00512.x
- Jan 11, 2011
- JAWRA Journal of the American Water Resources Association
The Role of Technology in Water Resources Planning and Management , E.M. Perez and W. Viessman . ( Editors ). ASCE Press , 1801 Alek Bell Drive, Reston, Virginia 20191-4400 . 2009 . 134 pages . $22 . ISBN 978-0-7844-1028-8 . The main thrust of this 134-page paperback pertains to the impact of using computers and their increasingly sophisticated programs in conjunction with advanced technologies in water resources-related planning and management activities. Appropriate attention is also given to the growing use of GIS in the development of planning and management models. The book begins with a short but useful chapter on the evolution of water resources technology and then continues with three chapters on case studies in water supply, environmental restoration cases, and emerging technologies. Each one of the three chapters includes three different case studies that highlight the issues for each of the study areas. This procedure was good, as a brief but informative background and history of the area (such as the Kissimmee River in Florida) and was followed by a sound, detailed account of the various models, programs, problems, and techniques that were applied to the subject area. Each one of the nine case studies in Chapters 3-5 followed the aforementioned writing format. The examples selected were very informative, as they covered a range of study areas and interesting local issues. The water supply case studies in Chapter 3 included the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area water supply, water availability modeling in Texas with particular emphasis on surface water, and the massive groundwater development project in Libya. The restoration case studies in Chapter 4 included two areas from Florida (Kissimmee River and the Everglades) and a coastal area study in Louisiana. The case studies on emerging technologies in Chapter 5 discussed the decision support system in the South Platte River watershed in Colorado, the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence region, and the operations management of the South Florida Water Management District. The discussion in each study had certain similarities, but the institutional, technical, and differences in location were quite interesting and useful. Regrettably, there were some aspects of the book that could have been avoided. For example, the inner and outer horizontal margins of the pages are only about 0.4 in. (1.02 cm) and 0.3 in. (0.76 cm), respectively. The reader has to constantly press the book down to read the text. Another item that could easily be clarified is to identify what TAF represents in Figure 21. It is presumed to be “thousand acre-feet,” but a brief note would have helped. It is always useful to include maps in a book of this nature. Many projects in different locations are discussed, and basic maps are obviously necessary. Some of the maps were not as clear as they could have been. For example, Figure 1 has a map scale of 1 in. to 44.4 mi for the Potomac River watershed, resulting in a small scale map that makes it very difficult to even read the names of the major rivers. At the least, the printed size of the river names should have been larger. The maps that show the huge groundwater project in Libya (Figure 4) and the Colorado’s River basins (Figure 20) do not have scales. The map of south-central Florida (Figure 13) that goes from the Keys to Orlando has a scale of only 1 in. to 80 mi, which is too small to accompany the discussion in the chapter. The adjoining map of the South Florida Water Management District on the same page (p. 52) is also too small to be of much value. Finally, it would have been useful to include a list of the maps at the very beginning of the book. The various sections of the book also have different writing styles and modes of expression, presumably generated by the 11 members of the Task Committee, two of whom were editors. The talent pool on the committee was substantial, but the material in each chapter varied considerably, perhaps reflecting different authors. This situation led to another unknown (i.e., who were the authors of the various chapters and sections). Mention is made of “… the writer” in the second paragraph on p. 87, but there is no identification. Did this unnamed writer work only on the South Platte River, or on all of Chapter 5? It seems fairly reasonable to have the author(s) identified for the sections/chapters that they wrote. The concluding chapter is excellent, as it serves as a clear, succinct statement of the role of technology in water resources planning. Interesting comments were also made about the role of the federal government and the states in encouraging or discouraging a variety of options to deal with water resource issues. In conclusion, the major goals of the Committee have been met, although there could have been some improvements as previously discussed. Robert M. Hordon Water Resources Consultant8 Dov PlaceKendall Park, New Jersey 08824 Water Ethics: Foundational Readings for Students and Professionals , P.G. Brown and J.J. Schmidt ( Editors ). Island Press , 1718 Connecticut Ave. NW, Ste. 300, Washington, D.C. 20009 . 2010 . 301 pages . $35.00 (paper ). ISBN 978-1-59726-565-2 . I really enjoyed reading Water Ethics because I have an interest in philosophy. But even if I did not have a background in philosophy, I still would have enjoyed reading these essays – maybe it is simply because something in these well written essays resonated with me. Indeed, I find myself re-reading many of the essays – some of them are just that good. Many of these essays are more than rote academic exercises. I was fully engaged – heart and mind – as I read Water Ethics. For me, some of the philosophies expressed have moved me to action. But to be sure, I was not motivated by monetary gain – not for upward mobility. No, I found myself moved to do good just for the sake of doing good – for what I think is right. Admittedly, I did not instantly recognize many of the essayists in Water Ethics. I hope this is because of my own ignorance of water ethics – my own distorted gestalt focused on the technical issues of water. Still, if you don’t recognize these authors, you should not be dissuaded from reading these essays – many of them are beautifully written and often you can feel the emotional connection that the authors have with their art. Too many excellent works to adequately describe here are included. Indeed, I cannot do justice to reviewing even one single work in the short span of this review. But I think it is useful to discuss two essays that particularly struck me. The essay, “Fish First! The Changing Ethics of Ecosystem Management,” was written by Carolyn Merchant. In particular, one passage moved me: “There is an intrinsic value to all living and nonliving things, and all have a right to survive.” I already believed this to be true but until now I felt alone in this view and I remained mute for fear of ridicule. But this passage let me know that there are others that believe as I do and that I am not alone in holding this view. Nor is this a diseased view. So I am now okay with this thought, that there is an intrinsic value to all things and I am moved to action. There is no reason why I cannot incorporate this thought into my professional ethos – I would be dishonest if I did otherwise. The second essay that stirred me: “Women, Water, Energy: An Ecofeminist Approach,” was written by Greta Gaard. Again, there was one particular passage that touched me: “Exemplifying the instrumentalism inherent in Plumwood’s master model, Western culture views water primarily as a means to its own ends, a servant to the dominant (not subordinate) population; it is difficult, in this cultural context, to imagine that water would have purposes of its own.” Again, I felt relieved that others hold this view – that water would have purposes of its own – as I have held this view for quite some time. Again, I realize that all of my thoughts are not necessarily malformed. Gaard’s essay too has moved me to take action – I am emboldened to modify my professional perspective to accommodate my old friend. I realize that my views might not be held by many other hydrologists – and my views probably won’t make me wealthy or popular. But I will say this, these essays, if you let them, can motivate you to take action for what you believe is right. I am glad that I read Water Ethics and I would not hesitate suggesting it to my colleagues. The essays are not necessarily written for the professional philosopher – the essays are not laden with unfamiliar jargon – the views are immediately understandable. But an emotional component espoused by Water Ethics is lacking in a purely reductionist view of water. Kevin J. Spelts Twin Platte Natural Resources District111 S. Dewey St., 2nd FloorNorth Platte, Nebraska 69103 Water Resources Engineering (Second Edition) , L.W. Mays . John Wiley & Sons, Inc. , 111 River St., Hoboken, New Jersey 07030-5774 . 2011 . 890 pages . ISBN 978-0-470-46064-1. This book is a detailed text for all students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and also an excellent reference for engineers and hydrologists. It is suitable for the first undergraduate course in hydraulics, hydrology, and hydraulic design by reference to selected chapters in those fields. Two new chapters on water resources engineering and sustainability have been added to this revised edition. The book is divided into five major areas: Water Resource Sustainability, Hydraulics, Hydrology, Engineering Analysis and Design for Water Use, and Engineering Analysis and Design for Water Excess Management. There are 19 chapters in the book that cover the extensive gamut of hydrology and hydraulics with the exception of the water quality aspects of water resources engineering. The book includes an enormous amount of detail along with copious tables, sample problems, maps, graphs, and photos. The graphs are very useful, numerous, and generally quite clear. Websites are given where appropriate in addition to numerous references. All chapters contain useful problems with worked out solutions and good diagrams for many of the processes. Chapter 2 deals with water resources sustainability and begins with a very good discussion of the Colorado River Basin and the problems of demand exceeding supply in the foreseeable future, as urban/suburban water demand continues to grow. As in this chapter and throughout the book, the author must be commended for the detail in the tables and footnotes in addition to including the source of the data. However, all of the supporting tables and figures are numbered with three digits, such as the map on p. 17 that is labeled as Figure 2.2.1 rather than Figure 2.1. It is the author’s discretion, but many other texts drop the extra digits and just use, for example, Figure 2.1 (Chapter 2, Figure 1) that seems to be easier to find and use. Chapters 3-6 cover the hydraulic processes associated with flow and hydrostatic forces, pressurized pipe flow, open channel flow, and groundwater flow. Chapter 7 on hydrologic processes focuses on the engineering aspects of hydrology with particular attention to surface water. Chemical properties of water and its relationship to biota are not included. The maps of drainage basins are a nice feature, especially since most of them have graphic scales with the exception of Figure 7.1.9 (the Upper Mississippi River without the Missouri River). Figure 7.1.3 on p. 235 shows a map of the world with major ocean currents. As the map is greatly extended along the Equator, it would have been useful to provide a name for the projection (presumably some type of equal-area projection). Many references in climatology include “convergent lifting” as one of the four types of lifting mechanisms that result in precipitation. The convergence type is generally not as common as the three types cited on p. 238, but it is still deemed a major source of precipitation, particularly in the lower latitudes on both sides of the Equator. This Intertropical Convergence Zone is noted for copious precipitation, general instability, and rising air in the Hadley cells. It shifts seasonally from about 150°S in North Australia to 250°N in northern India – a range of about 400° in latitude. Chapters 8 and 9 deal with surface runoff and reservoir and stream flow routing. Probability is thoroughly treated in Chapter 10 with numerous problems that involve hydrology and hydraulic design and analysis. Chapter 11 deals with water withdrawal and uses. Surprisingly, with the exception of Vol. 1 of the Gleick et al., Biennial Reports that started in 1998-1999, no other reference to the other five Biennial Reports that covered the periods 2000-2001 through 2008-2009 was made. Abundant in-depth material about water issues is included in these compilations and to exclude them from the reference list in one or more chapters appears inappropriate. To be fair to the author who has selected some of the best possible references overall to be included, it would have been better to extend the list to include recent works on such important areas as water use and trends. This chapter is potentially very interesting and useful, but some of the data are dated. For example, Figure 11.1 shows United States (U.S.) freshwater withdrawals and consumption based on the USGS five-year reports during the 1960-1990 period. This revised edition does not include the USGS reports (or more formally Circulars) for 1995, 2000, and 2005. Would the trends change if more recent data were included? At the least, it would be nice to know. Similar comments could be made about Table 11.1.2 based on a reference from 1991, Tables 11.1.3-11.1.5, 11.2.1, 11.2.2, and Tables 11.4.2 and 11.4.3. Flow duration curves are shown in Figure 11.7.2 on semilog graphs. In Searcy’s USGS Water-Supply Paper 1542-A of 1959, a flow duration curve is shown on a log probability graph. It would have been useful to briefly discuss the difference, if any, between the two types of graph. The list of references is extensive. However, there are none after 2000. Other chapters have newer references, but not this one. Chapters 12-17 cover in good fashion the topics of water distribution, hydroelectric generation, flood control, storm sewers and detention, street and highway drainage and culverts, and the design of spillways. Chapter 18 covers sedimentation and erosion hydraulics. The chapter begins with a brief but important discussion of bridge failures that are caused by floods, as 84% of the 575,000 bridges in the U.S. National Bridge Inventory have been built over streams that are alluvial and therefore are always re-arranging their streambeds and banks. The costs to society when these bridges are damaged or destroyed are substantial, to say the least. Chapter 19 is the last chapter and covers the topic of water resources management for sustainability. It includes many references that are recent, as evidenced by the inclusion of appropriate websites. Major issues discussed include water law of both surface water and groundwater. The sustainable water supply techniques for arid and semiarid areas form a very useful addition to this concluding chapter. The topics include water reclamation and reuse, aquifer recharge, desalination, water transfers such as the Central Arizona Project, the massive movement of groundwater from an aquifer in southern Libya to northern Libya, the Israeli National Water Carrier system to move water to drier sections of the country, and a long-range plan to transfer water from the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers in south-central China to the drier northern parts of China. The author properly makes it obvious that the plan to divert water that results from an ancient pluvial period in the Sahara to the coastal area along the Mediterranean Sea does not include any recharge, so that it is really a nonrenewable resource. In summary, this is an impressive book. The amount of material covered in a detailed manner is simply astounding. The text is buttressed by a truly extensive collection of tables, graphs, maps, photographs, and references at the end of each chapter. The book is recommended for undergraduate and graduate students in addition to the specialized interests of the professional community of engineers, hydrologists, and water resource specialists. Robert M. Hordon Water Resources Consultant8 Dov PlaceKendall Park, New Jersey 08824 Other Books and Publications Received Water Resources , S.C., Anisfeld . Island Press , 1718 Connecticut Ave. NW, Ste. 300, Washington, D.C. 20009 . 2010 . 330 pages . ISBN 978-1-59726-495-2 . Floods and droughts frequently garner the headlines, but they are just part of the multifaceted water crisis facing the world today. Anisfeld addresses the principal ecological and human problems related to water. After introducing the basics of hydrology, he explores issues including flooding, scarcity, climate change, technologies, ecosystem degradation, human health, agriculture, industry, inefficiency and inequity, and political conflict. He argues that the key challenge is balancing competing demands for water, from drinking to navigation to ecosystem protection. This balancing act can be summed up by the two Es – efficiency and equity. New Membranes and Advanced Materials for Wastewater Treatment , A. Mueller, B. Guieysse, and A. Sarker ( Editors ). Oxford University Press , 198 Madison Ave., New York, New York 10016 . 2010 . 272 pages . $150.00 . ISBN 978-0-84-127214-9 . This book demonstrates that recent innovations in material sciences provide tremendous potential to develop a novel generation of water treatment technologies. The book focuses on (1) creating a viable product from waste removed from water, (2) solutions to common water remediation problems, and (3) molecularly imprinted polymers for water remediation, new to the field. Hydrocomplexity: New Tools for Solving Wicked Water Problems , S. Khan, H. Savenije, S. Demuth, and P. Hubert . IAHS Press , Center for Ecology and Hydrology, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 8BB, United Kingdom . 2010 . 272 pages . £55 . ISBN 978-1-907-161-11-7 . This book is the proceedings of a conference on the topic of the book title. The book includes 63 papers divided into 11 sections, as follows: Monitoring and Evaluating the Water Cycle, Linking Climate Change With Water Cycle Management, Parsimonious Vs. Complicated Approaches, Whole-of-System and Adaptive Approaches, Need for Transdisciplinary Issues Approaches to Deal With Water Related Ecosystems, Integrated Approaches, Role of Knowledge Platforms for Community Engagement, From Artificial to Embodied Intelligence, Water Allocation Dilemma, Water Quality – A Critical Issue, and Managing Hydrohazards. Status and Perspectives of Hydrology in Small Basins , A. Herrmann and S. Schumann . IAHS Press , Center for Ecology and Hydrology, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 8BB, United Kingdom . 2010 . 313 pages . £65 . This book includes the papers presented at a conference on hydrologic aspects associated with small watersheds. The book includes 47 papers allocated to the following eight sections: Presently Operated Small Hydrological Research Basins, Fundamental Hydrological Results Drawn From Studies in Small Basins, Hydrological Processes Knowledge Drawn From Studies in Small Basins, Importance of Hydrological Data, Research on Hydrological Processes, What Contribution to the Monitoring and Understanding of Changes in Physical Processes, The Contribution to the PUB Initiative, and Do We Need Research From Small Basins? Worlds of Flow: A History of Hydrodynamics From the Bernoullis to Prandtl , O. Derrigol . Oxford University Press , 198 Madison Ave., New York, New York 10016 . 2009 . 356 pages . ISBN 978-0-19-955911-4 . This book provides an in-depth history of hydrodynamics from its 18th Century foundations to its first major successes in 20th Century hydraulics and aeronautics. It documents the foundational role of fluid mechanics in developing a new mathematical physics. It discusses the conceptual breakthroughs of physicists and engineers who tried to meet the practical challenges of the practical worlds of hydraulics, navigation, blood circulation, meteorology, and aeronautics. It shows how the early promise of hydrodynamics at last began to fulfill its early promise to unify the early worlds of flow. It should be of interest to historians, engineers, philosophers, and The eight chapters cover topics from to from and to instability, and from to water the on the Platte River Water , . Press of Colorado , Ave., Ste. Colorado . 2010 . pages . . ISBN . Water of the Platte River have to the water supply, and water In the a new the of four into its This book of the the United States of the the environmental and the how interests found the by the how these interests and which water and an the this book the that over more than
- Research Article
12
- 10.1038/s41598-023-40692-7
- Aug 22, 2023
- Scientific Reports
A novel newsvendor model-based framework for regional industrial water resources allocation that considers uncertainties in water supply and demand was proposed in this study. This framework generates optimal water allocation schemes while minimizing total costs. The total cost of water allocation consists of the allocated water cost, the opportunity loss for not meeting water demand, and the loss of the penalty for exceeding water demand. The uncertainties in water demand and supply are expressed by cumulative distribution functions. The optimal water allocation for each water use sector is determined by the water price, the unit loss of the penalty and opportunity loss, and the cumulative distribution functions. The model was then applied to monthly water allocation for domestic, industrial, and agricultural water use in two counties of Huizhou City, China, whose water supply mainly depends on Baipenzhu Reservoir. The water demand for each water use sector and the monthly reservoir inflow showed good fits with the uniform and P-III distributions, respectively. The water demand satisfied ratio for each water use sector was stable and increased for the optimal water allocation scheme from the newsvendor model-based framework, and the costs were lower compared with the actual water allocation scheme. The novel framework is characterized by less severe water shortages, lower costs, and greater similarity to actual water use compared with the traditional deterministic multi-objective analysis model, and demonstrates strong robustness in the advantages of lower released surplus water and higher water demand satisfied ratio. This novel framework yields the optimal water allocation for each water use sector by integrating the properties of the market (i.e., determining the opportunity loss for not meeting water demand) with the government (i.e., determining the water price and the loss of the penalty for exceeding water demand) under the strictest water resources management systems.
- Research Article
2
- 10.1088/1755-1315/1102/1/012044
- Nov 1, 2022
- IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science
Water is an essential resource for the well-being of humans as well as for ecosystems. In this regard, the increasing water scarcity areas has become one of the major problems faced by humanity. In Malaysia, Selangor is considered a water-stressed area due to the increase in water demand and limited suitable fresh water resources for treatment and distribution. The increase in population as well as urbanization and industrialization made the rivers in Selangor arguably the most polluted compared to other states. These situations result in a series of unscheduled water supply interruption over the years and negatively impact the majority of consumers. Projected water demand also indicates that the existing water supplies are not sufficient in the long run, therefore, it is deemed required to study the water demand and supply gap in Selangor to ensure the current water management is sustainable for the remote future. This paper mainly discusses on the current water production from Water Treatment Plants as well as projection of water demand which also foresee the future water deficit in Selangor. The method used in this study was based on review of secondary data acquired from available published report and website, while the assessment of water demand conducted comprise of calculation of projected population, projected domestic water demand, projected total water demand and water deficit up to year 2050. According to the result obtained, the existing water demand and supply in Selangor is 4,967 MLD, meanwhile, the projection of water demand in Selangor up to year 2050 is 7,011 MLD with the projected water deficit of 2,044 MLD. The findings of this paper are essential in water resources planning and management, particularly in terms of additional raw water supply that will be required to cater to the future water demand in Selangor.