Approach To Water Management Research Articles

System Thinking for Sustainable Water Management: The Use of System Tools in Sustainability Transitions

AbstractManaging water resources to meet current social, economic, and environmental needs without compromising the ability to meet those needs in the future, requires water managers to look beyond jurisdictional boundaries and their immediate supply operations, protect shared water and marine environments, resources and ecosystems from pollution and over-abstraction and deliver structural changes and resilient solutions to make the provision of water services sustainable. With a plethora of system tools increasingly available to support the sustainability transformation of water systems, sorting through their breadth and diversity to determine what is useful and what is not can be challenging. From a selection of 40 popular system tools grouped in terms of how they function, we review those most commonly used in water management through 35 water-related studies from the literature. Findings demonstrate that system tools are not a substitute for systems thinking and applying them alone does not qualify the development of systemic solutions. Systems thinking offers a powerful approach to first improving collective understanding of sustainability challenges related to water and then, in collaboration with a diverse group of stakeholders and the public, defining desired goals for water management and working together to make them a reality. System tools in that context can play an important role in facilitating the process and here we propose an overarching framework of how to select and apply available tools to facilitate a holistic, integrated, and interdisciplinary systems approach for water management and wider urban sustainability transitions.

Study of Chlorella sorokiniana Cultivation in an Airlift Tubular Photobioreactor Using Anaerobic Digestate Substrate

Microalgae offer a promising solution for efficiently treating high-nitrogen wastewater and recovering valuable nutrients. To optimize microalgae growth and nutrient assimilation, case-dependent studies are essential to demonstrate the process’s potential. This study aimed to evaluate the treatment capacity of high-nitrogen anaerobic digestion effluent as a nutrient source for a C. sorokiniana microalgal culture in a tubular photobioreactor. The study had two primary objectives: to assess how the concentration and composition of the digestate influence microalgae growth, and to identify the preferred nitrogen forms assimilated by the microalgae during long-term, continuous operation. A 20 L tubular airlift bioreactor was constructed and used in batch mode; various digestate concentrations were examined with ammonia nitrogen levels reaching to 160 mg/L. These experiments revealed a biomass growth rate of up to 130 mg/L/d and an ammonia nitrogen assimilation rate ranging from 8.3 to 12.5 mg/L/d. The presence of phosphorous proved essential for microalgae growth, and the growth entered a stationary phase when the initial phosphorous was fully assimilated. A nitrogen-to-phosphorous (N/P) ratio of 10 supported efficient species growth. While ammonia was the preferred nitrogen form for microalgae, they could also utilize alternative forms such as organic and nitrate nitrogen, depending on the specific digestate properties. The results from the continuous photobioreactor operation confirmed the findings from the batch mode, especially regarding the initial nitrogen and phosphorous content. An important condition for nearly complete ammonia removal was the influent dilution rate, to balance the nitrogen assimilation rate. Moreover, treated effluent was employed as dilution medium, contributing to a more environmentally sustainable water management approach for the entire process, at no cost to the culture growth rate.

Assessing the accuracy of OpenET satellite-based evapotranspiration data to support water resource and land management applications

Remotely sensed evapotranspiration (ET) data offer strong potential to support data-driven approaches for sustainable water management. However, practitioners require robust and rigorous accuracy assessments of such data. The OpenET system, which includes an ensemble of six remote sensing models, was developed to increase access to field-scale (30 m) ET data for the contiguous United States. Here we compare OpenET outputs against data from 152 in situ stations, primarily eddy covariance flux towers, deployed across the contiguous United States. Mean absolute error at cropland sites for the OpenET ensemble value is 15.8 mm per month (17% of mean observed ET), mean bias error is −5.3 mm per month (6%) and r2 is 0.9. Results for shrublands and forested sites show higher inter-model variability and lower accuracy relative to croplands. High accuracy and multi-model convergence across croplands demonstrate the utility of a model ensemble approach, and enhance confidence among ET data practitioners, including the agricultural water resource management community.

Study of two approaches for the process water management from hydrothermal carbonization of swine manure: Anaerobic treatment and nutrient recovery

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a promising alternative to transform biomass waste into a solid carbonaceous material (hydrochar) and a process water with potential for material and energy recovery. In this study, two alternatives for process water treatment by conventional and acid-assisted HTC of swine manure are discussed. Process water from conventional HTC at 180 °C showed high biodegradability (55% COD removal) and methane production (∼290 mL STP CH4 g−1 CODadded) and the treatment in an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor allowed obtaining a high methane production yield (1.3 L CH4 L−1 d−1) and COD removal (∼70%). The analysis of the microbiota showed a high concentration of Synergistota and Firmicutes phyla, with high degradation of organic nitrogen-containing organic compounds. Acid-assisted HTC proved to be a viable option for nutrient recovery (migration of 83% of the P to the process water), which allowed obtaining a solid salt by chemical precipitation with Mg(OH)2 (NPK of 4/4/0.4) and MgCl2 (NPK 8/17/0.5), with a negligible content of heavy metals. The characteristics of the precipitated solid complied with the requirements of European Regulation (2019)/1009 for fertilizers and amendments in agricultural soils, being a suitable alternative for the recycling of nutrients from wastes.

Irrigation and Fertilization Scheduling for Peanut Cultivation under Mulched Drip Irrigation in a Desert-Oasis Area.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of water and nitrogen regulation on the characteristics of water and fertilizer demands and the yield, quality, and efficiencies of the water and nitrogen utilization of peanuts cultivated under mulched drip irrigation in a desert-oasis region. The experiment, conducted in Urumqi, Xinjiang, centered on elucidating the response mechanisms governing peanut growth, yield, quality, water consumption patterns, and fertilizer characteristics during the reproductive period under the influence of water and nitrogen regulation. In the field experiments, three irrigation levels were implemented, denoted as W1 (irrigation water quota of 22.5 mm), W2 (irrigation water quota of 30 mm), and W3 (irrigation water quota of 37.5 mm). Additionally, two nitrogen application levels, labeled N1 (nitrogen application rate of 77.5 kg·ha-1) and N2 (a nitrogen application rate of 110 kg·ha-1), were applied, resulting in seven treatments. A control treatment (CK), which involved no nitrogen application, was also included in the experimental design. The results indicate a direct correlation between the increment in the irrigation quota and increases in farmland water-related parameters, including water consumption, daily water consumption intensity, and water consumption percentage. The nitrogen harvest index (NHI) demonstrated a higher value in the absence of nitrogen application compared to the treatment with elevated nitrogen levels. The application of nitrogen resulted in an elevation in both nitrogen accumulation and nitrogen absorption efficiency within pods and plants. When subjected to identical nitrogen application conditions, irrigation proved to be advantageous in enhancing water-use efficiency (WUE), nitrogen partial factor productivity (NPFP), and the yield of peanut pods. The contribution rate of water to pod yield and WUE exceeded that of nitrogen, while the contribution rate of nitrogen to nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) was higher. The total water consumption for achieving a high yield and enhanced water- and nitrogen-use efficiencies in peanuts cultivated under drip irrigation with film mulching was approximately 402.57 mm. Taking into account yield, quality, and water- and nitrogen-used efficiencies, the use of an irrigation quota of 37.5 mm, an irrigation cycle of 10-15 days, and a nitrogen application rate of 110 kg·ha-1 can be regarded as an appropriate water and nitrogen management approach for peanut cultivation under mulched drip irrigation in Xinjiang.

Natural dynamics and watershed approach incorporation in urban water management: A scoping review.

Several cities are facing water emergencies related to urbanization impact and amplified by climate change. Most of the cities have responded to these crises through short-term measures. However, some cities have incorporated a watershed approach to water management in seeking more sustainable solutions. Although the importance of a watershed approach in land management is generally acknowledged, studies on this topic have typically focused on theoretical models, water management in rural areas or single case-studies of cities or countries. In this research, a scoping review of the literature was performed, based on the PRISMA 2020 statement, in three databases: Web of Science, Google Scholar and SciELO. Forty-one studies were identified analyzing 17 city cases implementing urban actions from a watershed approach in water management. These cities were from the Global North and Asian rising world powers. The lack of results of cities from the Global South, based on the research undertaken, was the main limitation and bias identified. Most of the Global South results identified in this research were theoretical models, scenarios and cases of rural areas instead of urban contexts. The results obtained indicate that the main motivations for cities to implement a watershed approach were water scarcity, floods and contamination of water bodies. The implemented actions focused on the shift from gray to green and blue infrastructure and on conservation measures. Lastly, the challenges to introduce those actions were mainly the lack of economic investment, insufficient experience, stakeholder opposition, and regulatory obstacles. Urban water management could be seen as an opportunity to change the way we relate to urban territory. Incorporating a watershed approach into urban planning and water management could promote more sustainable cities.

Integrating Ecosystem-Based Approaches for Climate-Resilient Water Management: A Review of Strategies and Case Studies

Integrating Ecosystem-Based Approaches for Climate-Resilient Water Management: A Review of Strategies and Case Studies

Smart water: An innovative approach to integrated water management at the Faculty of Sciences Ben M’sick (Casablanca, Morocco) in the face of water stress

The integrated management of water resources at the level of various human activities is today imperative for individuals and organizations. This study investigates the possibilities of applying a responsible and sustainable water management approach at the Ben M’sik Faculty of Sciences (FSBM) in Casablanca through rainwater collection/reclamation, groundwater exploitation and decentralized treatment/internal wastewater reuse. To this end, physicochemical characterization of these three types of water was carried out, with preliminary results showing that the wastewater quality complied with the discharge limits recommended by Lydec for all the parameters determined, except for Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Total suspended solids (TSS), with average values for COD, BOD5, and TSS of around 1010.12 mg L -1, 87.27 mg L-1 and 370.48 mg L-1 respectively. In parallel, average values for COD/BOD5 (33.19), TSS/BOD5 (6.03) and oxidizable matter (360.72 mg L-1) revealed that these wastewaters are heterogeneous and poorly biodegradable. As for rainwater and groundwater, the results show that they comply with the quality grid for water intended for irrigation, except for chloride (715.23 to 884.72 mg L-1) and nitrate for groundwater (61.45).

Water-Energy Nexus in Power Systems: A Review

As the world continues to transition towards cleaner and more efficient energy sources, the intricate interplay between water and energy in power systems has emerged as an essential and multifaceted relationship with profound implications for sustainable energy planning. This comprehensive exploration considers a diverse range of academic databases and synthesizes relevant research to systematically investigate the current state of knowledge on the water-energy nexus. By distilling key findings and concepts related to the water-energy nexus in power systems, this work underscores the pivotal role of water in power generation and the energy required for water treatment and distribution. Additionally, this exploration brings into focus the challenges that the water-energy nexus faces, including the far-reaching impacts of climate change and the potential of renewable energy solutions. The complex policy and regulatory frameworks that govern the water-energy nexus in power systems are also examined, highlighting the crucial need for integrated approaches in energy and water management. By identifying key areas for further research and emphasizing the urgency for innovative solutions, this exploration stresses the need to prioritize sustainable management of water and energy resources in an effective, efficient, and resilient manner.

International water fora and the prevailing needs for local implementation and broader participation

The United Nations (UN) 2023 Water Conference was held from March 22–24 at the UN Headquarters in New York, USA. There was a clear message from Day 1 of the Conference: “we are not on track to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 on water and sanitation for all.” Moreover, business-as-usual approaches for water management do not seem effective facing the so-called triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss (What is the Triple Planetary Crisis? | UNFCCC). Hence, the Conference aimed to raise awareness of the global water crisis and to make agreements on concerted actions to mobilize all sectors, stakeholders, and countries toward the resolution of this global issue. Among them, the agreement to establish a UN Special Envoy for Water (different figure than the Special Rapporteur on the Human Right to Water), ground more than seven hundred voluntary commitments and pledges, and renew the political momentum in fora such as the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, held this July 2023, and the SDG Summit in September 2023 to follow up on the SDGs and Agenda 2030, as well as the commitments of the Decade for Action on Water (2018–2028).The UN, in fact, has promoted numerous initiatives to mobilize citizens around the SDGs. Presently, the UN has declared a total of 206 International Environmental Days to honor specific human and environmental subjects. Among them, only 40 are specifically related to the environment or socio-environmental issues. The majority of all of these declarations are followed by “mega-conferences”1 related to the same subjects: that is, RAMSAR/wetlands sites, sustainable development, biodiversity, climate change, and the latest one is water. The UN states that these commemorative dates and fora are meant to “educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity” (United Nations, 2023) ). We have nothing against the raising of awareness and the need to take political action, but we would rather like to offer a reflection on two critical and historical challenges related to these global events: (a) the implementation of global water fora accords from global-to-local governance, and (b) the need for broader and inclusive participation of different stakeholders, with particular focus on water issues.

Combining a hydrological model with ecological planning for optimal placement of water-sensitive solutions

Newer water management approaches aim to better utilize runoff by treating it as a resource rather than a nuisance and by promoting a more holistic handling of runoff. These approaches use nature-based green infrastructure solutions to increase infiltration and detain water. Identifying optimal placement for these solutions is challenging due to multiple and sometimes competing objectives. Here, we propose a methodology to help planners and stakeholders maximize the benefits of flood mitigation projects by identifying opportunities for sustainable development. Most studies examine placement decisions based on metrics obtained from hydrological models. However, solely depending on hydrological indicators, without accounting for social and ecological indicators, might bias the placement decisions. We propose combining hydrological and land-use planning models. We used the revised version of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) known as SWAT+ to simulate existing hydrological conditions and the results as initial input for the conservation decision support software MARXAN. We added data on endangered species and distance from the human population as ecological and social indicators. This addition shifted the selected areas and provided a more complete view of runoff management than only hydrological indicators. Furthermore, we show that coupling SWAT+ and MARXAN can effectively balance hydrological concerns with ecological and social factors.

An integrated approach to water conservation: fuzzy logic assessment of water tariffs in Abu Dhabi Emirate’s residential sector

BackgroundAbu Dhabi, a part of the United Arab Emirates, is situated in an arid region where water scarcity is a significant concern. The residential sector in Abu Dhabi consumes a large portion of the available water resources, leading to a critical need for effective water management strategies. This study aims to understand the relationship between water tariffs and water consumption in the residential sector in Abu Dhabi. It employs an integrated fuzzy logic model, a form of artificial intelligence, to assess the impact of water tariffs on water consumption. The model includes variables such as water tariffs, the level of water awareness, the level of water behavior, and the level of technology use. The objective of these variables is to evaluate their impact on the water-saving index, which represents the ratio of daily water consumption per capita in Abu Dhabi to the global average.ResultsThe findings of this study, based on a survey measuring the level of water awareness, behavior, and technology use, revealed a potential strategy for reducing water consumption in Abu Dhabi’s residential sector. It was observed that increasing water tariffs, while maintaining current levels of water awareness, behavior, and technology use, could lead to a reduction in water consumption. However, it was also found that the impact of further tariff increases on water conservation diminishes after a certain threshold, indicating the necessity of a balanced approach in tariff adjustment. Interestingly, the study also highlights that Abu Dhabi residents demonstrate high levels of water behavior and technology use, indicating a positive trend toward water conservation.ConclusionsThis study emphasizes the importance of increasing water awareness among Abu Dhabi residents as a means to foster sustainable water consumption practices. While water tariffs can contribute to reductions in water consumption, the effects tend to decrease beyond a certain point. Therefore, a comprehensive approach involving water tariffs, increased water awareness, and the adoption of water-saving technologies may be the most effective strategy for water conservation. The insights from this study extend beyond Abu Dhabi and offer valuable guidance for addressing water conservation challenges worldwide. It highlights the importance of adopting a multi-faceted approach in water management, and the potential for such strategies to have international relevance in the pursuit of sustainable water consumption.

A Novel Approach for Crop Selection and Water Management using Mamdani’s Fuzzy Inference & IOT

In the modern world, technology is always evolving to replace more human labour with artificial intelligence. Moreover, farmers are under constant pressure to irrigate their farms at regular intervals without even a rudimentary grasp of the rainfall pattern and soil humidity, since it is extremely difficult to cultivate any agricultural food in regions with irregular rainfall patterns and high mean temperatures.
 This paper proposes a crop predictor and smart irrigation system using Mamdani’s fuzzy inference and IoT. The system aims to optimize water usage and crop yield by considering various factors such as soil moisture, temperature, humidity, rainfall, crop type and season. The system consists of three modules: a crop predictor module that uses fuzzy logic to suggest the best crop for a given location and season, an IOT module that collects and transmits the environmental data from sensors to a cloud server, and a smart irrigation module that uses fuzzy logic to control the water flow to the crops based on the data and the crop predictor module. The system is implemented and tested on a NodeMCU and MATLAB platform and shows promising results in terms of water conservation and crop productivity.

Sectoral Approach for Solid Waste Management and Water Management

Rapid urbanization, poor solid waste management and inadequate maintenance of water can lead to flooding, water scarcity, water pollution, adverse health effects and rehabilitation costs that may overwhelm the resilience of cities. Cities face significant difficulties as a result of these megatrends, as the cost of inactivity is considerable. A capacity building programme was conducted with a purpose to be a strategic step in building the capacity of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). The objective of the study was to assess the impact of the capacity building programme conducted for urban local body officials on solid waste and water management. The study focuses on the practices being followed by the urban local bodies in Ganga basin states in terms of solid waste and water management. It further highlights the gaps which must be addressed in relation to the aforementioned topics.

Key perceptions associated with attitudes towards water reuse in a Swedish town

Abstract As climate change and urbanization affect current water management systems, new solutions and approaches rooted in public acceptance are needed to ensure future water supply. In this study, we examine public attitudes to reuse of recycled water and associated worldviews, values, and perceptions in a site without historical water issues. A survey of 143 randomly sampled residents in the municipality of the growing Swedish town Knivsta revealed that 81.4% of the respondents had a positive attitude towards using recycled water in general. The results did not indicate any differences in attitudes between those living in and outside the municipality's urban areas. Perceived benefits and risks were found to be significantly related to both attitudes towards using recycled water in general and to the extreme case of using it for drinking purposes. Additionally, trust in public authorities was highly predictive of attitudes towards drinking recycled water. Furthermore, attitudes were found to be related to an environmental worldview and underlying biospheric, altruistic, and hedonic values. This indicates a need to consider the intended purpose as well as engaging with underlying values as part of the technology legitimation process for improving the chances of successful implementation of water recycling technologies.

A Review of Fluid Flow Applications and Hydraulic Performance of Sustainable Drip Irrigation to Improve Water Resource Management

Fluid flow applications to improve water resource management towards sustainable irrigation are one of the main targets of engineers nowadays, especially with global climate change. The performance assessment of the irrigation system is an important area of research to improve water resource management. Through drip irrigation systems, this review evaluated the application uniformity of water and nutrients to sustain agricultural production and protect the environment’s natural resources. To achieve these goals, the adequate use of nutrients and water must be emphasized by utilizing sufficient water and nutrient management approaches, including a drip irrigation system that supplies the inputs immediately to the crop’s root zone. The process operating pressure and the drip line length are the two most crucial aspects that affect the uniformity of the water and nutrient distribution in fields. Inconsistent or inadequate applications of fertilizers and water in the fields contribute to the incorrect supply of useful water and nutrients in the soil profile along the drip line length resulting in a significant decrease in crop yields and poor product quality. The main cause behind the operating pressures in a “micro-irrigation system” is the inadequate distribution of fertilizers and water in the fields. Therefore, the effects of such non-uniform distribution must be carefully quantified and studied to understand the reasons behind soil degradation and groundwater contamination, which occurs due to excess nutrient leaching from the crop’s root zone. Data on the distribution and movement of water and nutrients in the soil is essential for designing efficient fertilization systems. Drip irrigation can reduce water exposure and input costs, making agribusiness more resilient, profitable, and successful. This paper discusses the uniformity of the nutrients and water application for crops grown in various agro-climatic regions. In addition, an effort was made to compare the findings’ quality of various commonly used methods of water and nutrient application under different climatic conditions.

Application of hydrogeophysics and diagnostic plots in setting up a sustainable managed aquifer recharge scheme, West Coast, South Africa

The lack of using hydrogeophysics and hydraulic data in setting up a sustainable managed aquifer recharge scheme leads to challenges in operations and maintenance of such infrastructures. Managed aquifer recharge is an engineering and technological based water management approach that is used to maximize storage and improve groundwater security. However, this approach is under-utilized in many countries and South Africa is no exception. This study aimed at improving knowledge on aquifer dynamics for managed aquifer recharge scheme using hydrogeophysics and diagnostic plots. This study argued that integrating hydrogeophysics data and diagnostic plots for setting up managed aquifer recharge schemes lead to improved operations and maintenance through improved scientific knowledge on the dynamics of the aquifer. SkyTEM and electrical resistivity tomography data were used to delineate subsurface structures. Pumping test data were used to develop diagnostic plots, for identifying flow regimes and boundary conditions in the proposed managed aquifer recharge area. Results from geophysics investigation inferred pathways for potential managed aquifer recharge and areas to avoid. The integration of hydrogeophysics and diagnostic plots provided a more practical interpretation for the study area. It is recommended that hydrogeophysics investigation should be carried out before and after setting managed aquifer recharge scheme as it leads to enhanced decisions on groundwater usage, monitoring and management.

Monthly streamflow forecasting for the Hunza River Basin using machine learning techniques

Abstract Streamflow forecasting is crucial for planning, designing, and managing water resources. Accurate streamflow forecasting is essential in developing water resource systems that are both technically and economically efficient. This study tested several machine learning techniques to estimate monthly streamflow data in the Hunza River Basin, Pakistan, using streamflow, precipitation, and air temperature data between 1985 and 2013. The techniques tested included adaptive boosting (AB), gradient boosting (GB), random forest (RF), and K-nearest neighbors (KNN). The models were developed using river discharge as the target variable, while air temperature and precipitation as the input variables. The model's performance was assessed via four statistical performance indicators namely root mean square error (RMSE), mean square error (MSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and coefficient of determination (R2). The results obtained for RMSE, MSE, MAE, and R2 using AB, GB, RF, and KNN techniques are (16.8, 281, 6.53, and 0.998), (95.1, 9,047, 61.5, and 0.921), (126.8, 16,078, 74.6, and 0.859), and (219.9, 48,356, 146.3, and 0.775), respectively. The results indicate that AB outperforms GB, RF, and KNN in predicting monthly streamflow for the Hunza River Basin. Machine learning, particularly AB, offers a reliable approach for streamflow forecasting, aiding hazard and water management in the area.

Accuracy of Estimated Crop Evapotranspiration Using Locally Developed Crop Coefficients against Satellite-Derived Crop Evapotranspiration in a Semiarid Climate

Actual crop evapotranspiration (ETa) is measured or estimated using different methods, and its accuracy is critical for water management under precision agriculture. The objective of this study was to compare maize ETa estimated by the two-step approach using a locally developed crop coefficient curve with satellite-retrieved evapotranspiration by six models incorporated in the OpenET to identify the best evapotranspiration estimation alternatives to the two-step approach for water management in northern New Mexico. Maize (Zea mays L.) was planted at the NMSU Agricultural Science Center at Farmington from 2017 to 2022 and uniformly managed across years. Water management in plants was based on maize’s actual evapotranspiration estimated as the product of the reference evapotranspiration and the local crop coefficient, which is described as a third-order polynomial function of the accumulated heat units by maize plants. For the same growing seasons, maize ETa was retrieved from satellite, and was estimated by six models listed within the OpenET from 2017 to 2022. The results show that maize daily ETa was consistently smaller when measured by SIMS and PT-JPL during maize initial and actively growing stages, while ETc(kc), SIMS and eeMETRIC showed similar maize daily ETa during maize full canopy development and mid-season, and which overcome the evapotranspiration estimated by DisALEXI, PT-JPL, geeSEBAL, and SSBop. ETc(kc) drastically dropped and became the lowest value among all ETa estimation models after the first fall snow or the first killing frost. Regarding the seasonal average, all six models included in OpenET showed smaller maize evapotranspiration. Maize seasonal evapotranspiration varied from 589.7 to 683.2 mm. eeMETRIC compares most similarly to the ETc(kc) model, followed by SIMS, with percent errors of 2.58 and 7.74% on a daily basis and 2.43 and 7.88% on a seasonal basis, with the lowest MBE and RMSE values, respectively, and could be used as an alternative for maize actual daily evapotranspiration for water management in northern New Mexico. The results of this study could be used by water managers and crop growers to improve water management in the Four Corners region, using eeMETRIC for crop water use to improve water management and conservation under sustainable agriculture.

Conservation of Rain Water in Urban Area Using Ground Water Recharge

Abstract: Water scarcity is serious problem throughout the world for both urban & rural community. As the world population increases, the demand increases for quality drinking water. Urbanization, industrial development & increase in agricultural field & production has resulted in overexploitation of groundwater & surface water resources and resultant deterioration in water quality. The conventional water sources namely well, river and reservoirs, etc. are inadequate to fulfill water demand due to unbalanced rainfall. . Surface andgroundwater resources are being utilized faster than they can be recharged. Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is an option that has been adopted in many areas of the world where conventional water supply systems have failed to meet people’s needs.It is a technique that has been used since antiquity. It is an environmentally sound solution to address issues brought forth by large projects utilizing centralized water management approaches. Water harvesting is the activity of direct collection of rainwater, which can be stored for direct use or can be recharged into the groundwater. Water harvesting is the collection of runoff for productive purposes. According to Kim et al. (2005), rainwater harvesting may be one of the best methods available to recovering the natural hydrologic cycle and enabling urban development to become sustainable. The harvesting of rainwater has the potential to assist in alleviating pressures on current water supplies and storm water drainage systems. Rainwater collection has the potential to impact many people in the world. As water harvesting is an ancient tradition and has been used for millennia in most dry lands of the world, many different techniques have been developed the aim of the present study is to use rainwater andthus taking close to the concept of nature conservation. In this study, the rain water harvesting (RWH) system is analyzed as an alternative source of water in Gwalior Town in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India and the results were elated. By our calculation we have come to the conclusion that 108 days water can be stored for the entire city by the means of rain water harvesting method and that too only if we assume that only 70% of the water is being stored and remaining 30% of the water is getting wasted in the form of runoff. Even though, after this we are able to get 108 days of water for the entire city.