Conservation Of Water Resources Research Articles

Evaluating socio-hydrological stress through potential stormwater harvesting sites using multi-criteria analysis in Mumbai, India

Estimating stormwater harvesting (SWH) is a significant characteristic of enhancing regional water obtainability and thereby preserving water resources. The foremost aim of this study was to approximate suitable SWH locations in Mumbai using several physical and geomorphic parameters by employing the Geographical Information System (GIS) based Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. Several observed and remotely sensed datasets were used to compute SWH after assigning the share of influence at GIS platform. Numerous physical attributes along with geomorphic features are taken into consideration and further reclassified and allocated ranks to produce the SWH map in Mumbai. The study indicates most suitable portion for SWH is associated with northwestern side of Mumbai along with barren land and vegetation cover of around 226 sq. km area. However, highly dense urban areas (182.5 sq. km) in central Mumbai experienced with low suitable SWH zone. Additionally, LULC-wise investigation exhibited that barren and wetlands are the most suitable part for SWH, averaging 62.7 sq.km, however, nearly coastal areas including central Mumbai, and some open urban spaces are also potentially suitable for SWH. Moreover, flood probability-wise SWH site demonstrates maximum suitability near the upper parts of coastal Mumbai (223.3 sq.km), while 82.9 sq.km area witnessed flood possibility. High-resolution Google Earth images were used to overlap the outcome of SWH in Mumbai. Moreover, the SWH sites were further cross-correlated with regional flood susceptibility, which exposed extreme north and northeastern parts of Mumbai and is eventually essential to yield SWH sites to diminish flood hazards and substantial water availability.

Enhancing Public Education of Water Resource Conservation Through Urban Landscape: A Case Study of Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park in Singapore

This paper delves into the revitalization of Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park (BAP) along the Kallang River in Singapore, which has evolved from a polluted canal to a resilient, recreational, and educational landscape. The study is set within the broader context of the "Active, Beautiful, and Clean (ABC) Waters Initiative" initiated by the Public Utilities Board in 2006, emphasizing the convergence of spatial design, governmental collaboration, and public education in enhancing water resource management. The research objective is to scrutinize the role of policy and design in cultivating public consciousness towards water conservation within the BAP project. Employing literature review, questionnaire surveys, and case study analysis, this research intends to uncover strategies that can effectively engage the public in water resource protection, especially in densely populated urban settings with constrained water availability and flood threats. The study seeks to provide valuable insights for urban planners and policymakers on the significance of integrating educational aspects into public projects to achieve enduring sustainability and community resilience.

Impact of drip irrigation and plastic mulching on yield and economics of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Drip irrigation is crucial in the current agricultural scenario for vegetable crops, as it optimizes water use efficiency by delivering precise amounts of water directly to the plant roots, thereby conserving water resources and enhancing crop yields. Yield enhancement in cucumber, a significant horticultural crop, can be achieved by integrating drip irrigation and plastic mulching to maximize water productivity while minimizing losses. In the current consequences, a field study was conducted from November to December in two consecutive years (2021-2022 and 2022-23) at the experimental field of Precision Farming Development Centre, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India. The study aimed to quantify the irrigation water requirements for cucumber using drip irrigation and plastic mulch. Eight treatments with varying irrigation levels and the use of plastic mulch were assessed in a randomized block design with three replications. The crop's irrigation water requirement was determined using the FAO-56 Penman-Monteith model. The results showed that the highest plant height (193.5 cm), number of leaves (43.3), fruit length (18.5), fruit weight (279.0 g), and cucumber yield (15.9 t/ha) were achieved with 100% irrigation water requirement along with plastic mulch during the first and second season. These results were closely followed by treatments with 80% of the crop water requirement using drip irrigation and plastic mulch. The study concluded that applying 80% of the estimated irrigation water (142.1 mm) using drip irrigation and plastic mulch could be recommended to obtain higher productivity in cucumber.

China's progress in synergetic governance of climate change and multiple environmental issues.

Advancing the synergetic control of climate change and environmental crisis is crucial for achieving global sustainable development goals. This study evaluates synergetic governance levels over climate change and four environmental issues at the provincial level in China from 2009 to 2020. Our findings reveal significant progress in China's coordinated efforts to mitigate carbon emissions, reduce air pollutants, and conserve water resources. However, there remains room for improvement in managing solid waste and protecting ecological systems and overall progress in synergetic governance has slowed since 2015. Employing a random forest model, we identify socio-economic factors with great influence on synergetic climate change and environmental governance, such as energy intensity, service sector development, electronic equipment manufacturing, and transportation. Additionally, we reveal nonlinear relationships between some factors and performance of environmental subsystems, including both plateau effects (e.g. output in the smelting of ferrous metals) and U-shaped patterns (e.g. output in the manufacturing of metal products), possibly attributed to constraints in end-of-pipe treatment capacities and complexities in supply chain networks. Furthermore, through hierarchical clustering analysis, we classify provinces into four groups and provide tailored recommendations for policymakers to enhance synergetic governance levels in their respective regions. The framework established in this study also serves as a valuable reference for countries seeking to develop practical and context-specific solutions to mitigate climate and environmental risks.

Water Quality and Vegetation Health in Urban Conservation Areas: A Case Study of Paragem Municipal Natural Park

The Paragem Municipal Natural Park (PMNP), an integral protection conservation unit, plays a crucial role in the conservation and recovery of ecosystems located in the city of Dourados/MS. Located in an urban area, it faces challenges related to human influence, which can affect its terrestrial and aquatic communities. This study aimed to analyze the vegetation index and diagnose the water quality of a tributary of the Paragem stream located within the PMNP. The research involved examining the Green Leaf Index, physical-chemical and microbiological parameters of the water, as well as ecotoxicological tests covering three trophic levels. In addition, the genotoxic effect of the water on a piscean model was investigated. The results revealed low vegetation cover and degradation of the park’s water quality, evidenced by microbial contamination, toxicity to primary producers, and genetic damage to fish. Therefore, these results indicate the need for monitoring and environmental education measures, ecological restoration, and water resource recovery and conservation management in the PMNP to favor the recovery and conservation of its environmental resources.

Influences of climate change on carbon and water fluxes of the ecosystem in the Qinling Mountains of China

Climate change is one of the foremost challenges confronting the contemporary world. Carbon and water cycles and their interconnections of ecosystems are playing a pivotal role in assessing the impacts of climate change on ecosystems. The Qinling Mountains of China represent a focal area for research on global climate change and regional adaptation strategies. Based on historical and CMIP6 (Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6) future climatic data, the Biome-BGC model, which was sufficiently optimized with the Biome-BGC-PEST package, was used to simulate the historical and future trends of GPP (Gross primary productivity), ET (Evapotranspiration), and WUE (Ecosystem water use efficiency) in the Qinling Mountains, so as to elucidate the dynamics and spatiotemporal variations of carbon and water fluxes amidst climate change. The results showed that the GPP, ET, and WUE of the Qinling Mountains heterogeneously distributed in space, due to the dramatic disparities in carbon and water fluxes among different vegetation types in the Qinling Mountains. Among the various vegetation types, evergreen needle-leaved forest had the highest annual mean value of WUE. In the historical period of 1979-2018, deciduous broad-leaved forest had the highest annual mean value of GPP and ET, while evergreen needle-leaved forest would dominate in the future (2021-2100). For the annual GPP and ET flux variations, different vegetation cover types followed varying peak patterns in the Qinling Mountains. Deciduous broad-leaved forest, evergreen needle-leaved forest, and shrub meadow showed ’single-peak’ pattern annually, whereas the crop area displayed ’double-peak’ pattern due to the different growing seasons of crops. There also were temporal variations for the carbon and water fluxes within the same vegetation type. Future projections suggested a continuous increase in GPP and ET fluxes, underscoring the consistent role of the Qinling Mountains in water resource conservation and carbon sink amid evolving climatic conditions.

Evaluation of LoRa Network Performance for Water Quality Monitoring Systems

Conserving water resources from scarcity and pollution is the basis of water resource management and water quality monitoring programs. However, due to industrialization and population growth in Malaysia, which have resulted in poor water quality in many areas, this program needs to be improved. A smart water quality monitoring system based on the internet of things (IoT) paradigm was designed to analyze water conditions in real time and enable effective water management. Long-range (LoRa) application of the low-power, wide-area networking concept has become a phenomenon in IoT smart monitoring applications. This study proposes the implementation of a LoRa network in a water quality monitoring system-based IoT approach. The LoRa nodes were embedded with measuring sensors pH, turbidity, temperature, total dissolved solids, and dissolved oxygen, in the designated water stations. They operate at a transmission power of 14 dB and a bandwidth of 125 kHz. The network properties were tested with two different antenna gains of 2.1 dBi and 3 dBi, with three different spread factors of 7, 9, and 12. The water stations were located on the Sungai Pantai and Sungai Anak Air Batu rivers on the Universiti Malaya campus, Malaysia. Following a dashboard display and K-means analysis of the water quality data received by the LoRa gateway, it was determined that both rivers are Class II B rivers. The results from the evaluation of LoRa performance on the received strength signal indicator, signal noise ratio, loss packet, and path loss at best were −83 dBm, 7 dB, <0%, and 64.41 dB, respectively, with a minimum received sensitivity of −129.1 dBm. LoRa has demonstrated its efficiency in an urban environment for smart river monitoring purposes.

Gender preferences for multiple attributes of soil and water conservation in Northern Rwanda

Despite the dominance of female labor in agricultural production, female-controlled farm plots have lower efficiency compared to plot managed by male-headed households, which indicates a huge gender disparity in agricultural productivity. Overlooking gender preferences when designing interventions that promote the conservation of soil and water resources might face challenges in adoption and could result in ineffective policies to close the gender gap. This study seeks to analyze gender-specific preferences regarding attributes of soil and water conservation (SWC) in northern Rwanda. A best-worst survey was conducted among 653 respondents, comprising 253 males and 400 females, representing 422 households surveyed between September and December 2019. The analysis of BWS data involved assessing attribute-level relative importance, Pearson correlation, and maximum difference scaling using multinomial logit (MNL). Findings from attribute-level importance analysis revealed significant gender-based disparities in preferences across three important SWC attribute scenarios: the high scenario (between 65 % and 100 %), the moderate scenario (between 50 % and 65 %), and the basic scenario (with <50 % relative importance). The study identified heterogeneity in preferences regarding the relative importance of SWC attribute levels. Pearson correlation analysis revealed substantial synergies among attribute levels linked to land consolidation, improved land tenure, and joint SWC decision-making between genders. Additionally, the study identified trade-offs among multiple levels of SWC attributes, including households' SWC decision-making and physical and structural measures. The results from MNL regression show that both males and females exhibit positive preferences for multiple levels of SWC attributes, but show negative preferences when it comes to household decisions involving multiple SWC strategies. The study highlights the importance of equal opportunities for males and females’ participation in agricultural transformation through the adoption of SWC technologies as a fundamental step towards sustainable agricultural intensification. It advocates for gender transformational approaches to incentivize the scaling up of SWC practices and promote packages with lower uptake rates. Additionally, the study suggests enhancing knowledge and extension education in SWC to better understand diverse needs and preferences of female farmers.

Impact of Land use dynamics on the water yields in the Gorgan river basin

This research investigates the future dynamics of water yield services in the Gorgan River Basin in the North of Iran by analyzing land cover changes from 1990 to 2020, using Landsat images and predicting up to 2040 with the Land Change Modeler and InVEST model under three scenarios: continuation, conservation, and mitigation. The results indicate significant shifts in agricultural land impacted water yields, which fluctuated from 324.7 million cubic meters (MCM) in 1990 to 279.7 MCM in 2010, before rising to 320.1 MCM by 2020. The study uniquely assesses the effects of land use changes on water yields, projecting a 13.6 % increase in water yield by 2040 under the continuation scenario, a 3.9 % increase under conservation, and a 1.6 % decrease under mitigation, which limits changes on steep slopes to prevent soil erosion and floods. This underscores the interplay between land use, vegetation cover, and water yield, emphasizing strategic land management for water resource preservation and effective watershed management in the GRB.

Artificial wetlands in the conservation of water resources: An ecocentrism perspective

Background: Water pollution is a kind of environmental damage. Water pollution occurs in developing countries and developed countries. The government has made efforts to preserve water resources. However, it has only reached some levels of society because there are still many facilities that are more important than transportation, food security, and the security system. This research sees ecocentrism given the artificial marsh technique as the conservation of water resources as well as highlights equality of the purpose of the artificial marsh technique with the principle proposed ecocentrism about morality against the universe, so the proposed environmental ethics principles that have to be met in the implementation of the artificial marsh technique on sustainable preservation of water resources planning. Method: This research is library research. The research analysis is an analysis of the approach to a concept; the first phase is the interpretation and categorization, the second phase is data classification, the third phase is the analysis of synthesis, and the fourth phase is a critical evaluation by using element methodical as description, verstehen, interpretation, hermeneutic, inductive, and heuristic. Findings: The result shows that human beings have a duty to manage and preserve nature, and man is forbidden to exploit nature. Views ecocentrism is seen in the preservation of water resources as an effort to protect and preserve nature. Conclusion: Human beings are a part of the universe and are obliged to manage and preserve the guard, so the artificial marsh technique can be used in planning to preserve sustainable water resources. Novelty/Originality of this study: This research could lead to a new model for engaging communities in water conservation projects emphasizing the ethical relationship between humans and nature. This model could include educational programs and practical activities that help communities understand and apply the principles of ecocentrism in their daily lives.

Variations in water use strategies of Tamarix ramosissima at coppice dunes along a precipitation gradient in desert regions of northwest China.

The precipitation pattern has changed significantly in arid desert areas, yet it is not clear how the water use strategies of Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb. on coppice dunes along a natural precipitation gradient are affected. In this study, the hydrogen and oxygen isotope compositions of xylem water, soil water, precipitation, and groundwater were measured by stable isotope techniques in Huocheng, Mosuowan, and Tazhong. Additionally, the water use strategies of natural precipitation gradient were investigated in conjunction with the MixSIAR model. The results indicated that the water sources of T. ramosissima exhibited significant variation from semi-arid to hyper-arid areas. In semi-arid areas, T. ramosissima mainly absorbed shallow, shallow-middle, and middle soil water; however, T. ramosissima shifted its primary water sources to middle and deep soil water in arid areas. In hyper-arid areas, it mainly utilized deep soil water and groundwater. In contrast, the water source contribution rate of T. ramosissima exhibited relative uniformity across each layer in an arid area. Notably, in hyper-arid areas, the proportion of groundwater by T. ramosissima was significantly high, reaching 60.2%. This is due to the relatively shallow groundwater supplementing the deep soil water content in the area. In conclusion, the proportion of shallow soil water decreased by 14.7% for T. ramosissima from semi-arid to hyper-arid areas, illustrating the occurrence of a gradual shift in potential water sources utilized by T. ramosissima from shallow to deep soil water and groundwater. Therefore, T. ramosissima on coppice dunes shows flexible water use strategies in relation to precipitation and groundwater, reflecting its strong environmental adaptability. The findings hold significant implications for the conservation of water resources and vegetation restoration in arid areas.

Studies on the conservation and sustainability challenges of the wetland resources of the Baro-Akobo River Basin in Gambella and Benishangul-Gumuz regions, Ethiopia

In this study, the water quality of the Baro-Akobo River Basin in Ethiopia was comprehensively assessed. Key parameters including temperature (°C), pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), and ion concentrations such as K+, Ca2+, Na+, NO3−, NO2−, PO43−, CO32−, HCO3−, and NH4+were measured using standard methods, alongside sampling of phytoplankton, zooplankton, macroinvertebrates, macrophytes, and fish. Phytoplankton and zooplankton were sampled using Hydrobios nets with mesh sizes of 30 μm and 55 μm, respectively, while macroinvertebrates were collected via the kicking method. Results indicated generally alkaline pH levels and elevated turbidity, but acceptable levels of dissolved oxygen and ion concentrations according to WHO and FAO guidelines. Moreover, the study suggests that the wetlands in Gambella and Benishangul-Gumz regions are currently in good condition, providing valuable insights for the conservation and sustainable management of Ethiopia's water resources, ensuring their conservation for both present and future generations. Local authorities can use the study's findings to implement remedial measures to protect water quality and biodiversity in the regions.

Public Participation Centered on Environmental NGOs for Water Resource Conservation in China

Public Participation Centered on Environmental NGOs for Water Resource Conservation in China

Do protected areas enhance surface water quality across the Brazilian Amazon?

Protected Areas (PAs) are pivotal instruments in natural resource conservation and maintaining or enhancing ecosystem services, including hydrological functions. In the Amazon, the impact of PAs on the quality of river waters remains largely overlooked. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate whether Environmental Protected Areas (EPAs) and Indigenous Lands (ILs) efficiently protect the quality of surface waters in the Brazilian Amazon. Water quality variables from river gauge stations distributed across the lowlands Amazon are analyzed according to baseline river hydrogeochemistry classification, both inside and outside PAs. This study found that whitewater and clearwater rivers coursing within EPAs and ILs show lower turbidity and electrical conductivity compared to those outside PAs, likely due to the buffering effect of dense forest cover within protected landscapes. Moreover, data indicate that protected areas enhance the water quality from upstream unprotected landscapes in the Brazilian Amazon. These results highlight the need to further invest on effective mechanisms of water resource conservation across lowland tropical regions, and particularly in the Earth’s largest watershed.

A critical review of biomonitoring in East African rivers: fostering community-based collaboration for environmental change observation

The contribution of citizen scientists to environmental monitoring is notably increasing significantly. Governments worldwide establish Water Users Associations (WUAs) as a good practice model to implement Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) at local levels. These associations target different stakeholders depending on the expected outcome. However, their effectiveness, especially in East Africa, can only be determined case by case. In Kenya, Water Resources Users Associations are registered, voluntary community groups whose members are water users and land owners. Similarly, in Uganda, community-based initiatives exist, especially along degraded rivers, involving cooperation between local communities and regional water authorities. On the contrary, it has been reported that in Tanzania, many community initiatives created become non-functional within 2–3 years of induction. In general, the main responsibility of Water Users Associations or its equivalent is to manage and conserve water resources for sustainable uses. In most cases, water quality monitoring by communities through citizen science is limited to the visual appearance of water in the river channel. While this can indicate the water’s esthetic value, it is insufficient for assessing the ecological status of rivers, which is influenced by a variety of physical, chemical, biological, and socioeconomic factors. The use of bioindicators has been advocated as a feasible method for community-based water quality river monitoring. Therefore, this review explores the commonly used bio-indicators and bio-assessment tools for river health assessment and their complexities when using a biomonitoring community-based approach through citizen science. Tolerance and intolerance macroinvertebrate and fish metric protocols that utilize identification keys have been recommended. These protocols are designed to be user-friendly and require minimal taxonomic expertise, making them easy for community volunteers to use with minimal basic training. The sustainability of these citizen science initiatives relies on the motivation of volunteers, the frequency of monitoring activities, and collaboration with researchers and government agencies. These initiatives not only facilitate environmental monitoring but also foster community engagement and awareness regarding the ecological status of rivers, thereby addressing knowledge and data gaps necessary for effective policy-making. This approach provides a practical model for environmental stewardship and participatory resource management in East Africa.

Fabrication of Flat Tubular Clay-Based Porous Support Filters

Objective: Mongolia has few freshwater resources. It is therefore important to conserve water resources. An efficient possibility is to purify water and reuse it. Therefore, the scientists from the Material Science Center of the Mongolian University of Science and Technology collaborated with the researcher from the Korea Institute of Material Science and carried out a project between 2017-2020. Theoretical Framework: In this study, Mongolian zeolites and prepared kaolin were used and flat tubular porous support was extruded by a double screw vacuum extruder at KIMS. Method: The supports were burned at 800 and 1000°C and the properties such as pore distribution were determined by mercury porosimetry Results and Discussion: The zeolite-kaolin support had a bulk density of 1.46 g/cm3, a porosity of 41.52% and, an average pore size of 218 nm. With its water permeability of 115 L/m2·h at 0.01 MPa and 970 L/m2·h at 0.08 MPa, the support achieved good results. Research Implications: The wastewater treatment tests show that these membranes also have good compressive strengths. We have cleaned the sewage from a leather factory, which was very highly contaminated and has high viscosity. Originality/Value: Since there is no chemical industry in Mongolia, raw materials for synthetic materials are imported. The main significance of this research work lies in determining the possibility of producing ceramic membranes for water filtration using the mineral resources of our country, and it will serve as the basis for future research.

Assessment of Surface Water Quality of Igarapé de Santo Antônio in Santo Antônio do Tauá, Pará

Objective: Analyze the surface water quality of the Santo Antônio stream in Santo Antônio do Tauá, in the state of Pará, based on the current environmental legislation of CONAMA nº 357, 274 and Ordinance GM/MS nº 888. Theoretical Framework: The research uses contributions from the literature regarding normative guidelines on water quality standards essential for understanding and monitoring environmental conditions and related problems, through specific laws and regulations. Method: This is an experimental, descriptive, cross-sectional study, with a qualitative-quantitative approach, developed from water samples from the study site. The microbiological and physicochemical analyzes were determined by the procedures and recommendations described in the Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater (APHA). Results and Discussion: The results proved that the physical-chemical and microbiological parameters of surface water are in accordance with the standards established in legislation regarding water classification and bathing (CONAMA nº 357 and 274), being in disagreement only with regard to potability standards (Portaria GM/MS nº 888), at one of the points of analysis. Research Implications: The data and observations allowed a response to potential environmental problems, contributing to the quest to preserve water resources and serving as a model for other communities facing similar challenges. Originality/Value: The study provides unprecedented data regarding the water quality of the Santo Antônio stream, identifying variations and trends that correlate with local environmental management.

Cumulative effects of energy and water economic policies: Framework development and a case study in China

Due to the existence of an energy–water nexus, energy–related economic policies (such as carbon taxes) can influence the consumption of water resources, and water–related policies (such as fees for water use) can influence the consumption of energy. Previous research focused on the direct effects of energy and water policies (i.e., an energy policy's effects on energy conservation, and a water policy's effects on water resource conservation) and on the indirect effects (i.e., an energy policy's effects on water resource conservation, and a water policy's effects on energy conservation). However, they neglected the cumulative effects (i.e., the effects under simultaneous implementation of the two policies, which differs from the sum of the effects under separate implementation of the two policies). This is an important omission given that both economic policies are implemented simultaneously, and exhibit interactions that produce cumulative effects. In the present study, we developed a framework to analyze the cumulative effects of water and energy policies. In this framework, we developed a computable general equilibrium model and a model to assess their cumulative effect. The cumulative effects were analyzed from both the environment and macroeconomy perspectives. China was adopted as a case study. We found that the cumulative effects on energy conservation, water conservation, and carbon emission reduction were greater than the effects of only one kind of policy, but that antagonistic effects also occurred, with their strength increasing with increasing intensity of the policy.

Multi-scale assessment of rainwater harvesting availability across the continental U.S.

Addressing resilience, sustainability, and water resource conservation has become increasingly important in the modern world. Challenges arise due to periodic droughts, climate change, and seasonal variability in areas with limited freshwater availability. Therefore, implementing and promoting water reuse is essential. Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is one such alternative, offering benefits in conserving water resources and mitigating droughts while reducing urban flooding and costs by generating alternative lower-cost water sources. Providing users with knowledge of available volumes for harvesting, including homeowners and governmental entities, is key to encouraging this practice. Hydrological data and geographic information systems are fundamental for managing, designing, and projecting rainwater harvesting practices. However, no tools currently integrate this information at multiple scales with current and future climate scenarios. This research aimed to develop a multi-scale assessment tool named H2O HARVEST, for evaluating the availability and potential of rainwater harvesting. Additional benefits of the H2O HARVEST app include aiding decision-making by national governmental entities and analyzing potential future scenarios for homeowner users. The app also provides regulatory policy information at the state level. We offer an app with the necessary capabilities to bridge the technology gap and promote rainwater harvesting practices. Our research demonstrated that RWH has the potential to be a sustainable water reuse practice. For more than 50% of the states, the RWH could supply at least 50% of the water demand. The regions of the US with the greatest potential are the Central and East.

Satellite gravimetry observations on the state of groundwater level variability in the Arabian Peninsula Region and the associated socio-economic sustainability challenges

Groundwater is an important resource for the Arabian Peninsula Region. The population increase, rise in agricultural activities, and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) inclination towards economic diversification and tourism promotion have heightened the freshwater demand. As a result of climate change and varying weather patterns, the situation has become more complicated. Due to arid conditions, recharge is mostly less than withdrawal which consequently results in underground water level decline over time. In the research, we have used Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE/GRACE-FO) MASCON solutions, Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) soil moisture, and the Integrated Multi-satellite Retrievals for Global Precipitation Mission (IMERG) rainfall data to observe the Equivalent Water Thickness (EWT), and rainfall patterns in this region for the past two decades (2002–2023). The results indicate that in Saudi Arabia the water level is declining nearly at a linear rate and the linear regression model fits well with the data (R2 value, the coefficient of determination, for different cities of Saudi Arabia is ≥ 0.94). In the Al Jouf Area, the water decline is the highest at −1.69 cm/year which is 43% greater than the previous calculations. The lowest decline rate is in Sanaa (Yemen) which is −0.13 cm/year. Furthermore, all the other studied locations show a groundwater declining trend. In Saudi Arabia's Makkah, Madina, Riyadh, and Damam the reduction rate is −0.36, −0.48, −0.72, and −0.48 (cm/year) respectively. Kuwait, UAE's Dubai, and Al Ain show a similar groundwater reduction rate of −0.19 cm/year. In Oman's Masqat, the groundwater decline rate is −0.22 cm/year. Also, in the recent data, one can see the higher seasonal amplitudes that are indicative of greater fluctuations in EWT data in recent times. If water mining continues at the same pace, this important resource can become a rare commodity. Limited water supply can likely become a limiting factor for further social, agricultural, and industrial development. That's why major reviews and shifts are necessary in the current policies related to water resource management and conservation.