A multidimensional vine copula hydrological analysis framework for assessing compound risks of blue and green water: Implications for integrated water resources management

Isotope-enabled hydrograph separation reveals groundwater-dominated streamflow in a tropical monsoon basin: The Upper Chao Phraya River, Thailand.

Most Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) involve water, but integrated water resources management (IWRM) does not address them explicitly, especially the important health and sanitation goals. IWRM has structural problems and has been used mainly as a development tool rather than a way to manage water. There is no consensus among the professional communities about the methods and value of IWRM, and its inherent problems make assessment of its success difficult. It surveys national levels while most applications are at local levels. Efforts to improve and assess progress in the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector faced similar obstacles, and a new approach based on household surveys was adopted. The mismatch between IWRM and WASH is caused by the polarization between communities of practice for public health and water management. Tools posted by the Global Water Partnership (GWP) do not address WASH explicitly, and the public health profession does not embrace IWRM. These problems can be mitigated by a new definition of IWRM that combines WASH with other water-related issues. To address its complexity, situational archetypes can be mapped to local levels and explained by case studies. To assess progress in IWRM implementation, a new approach should focus on results at local levels rather than methods at the national levels and address the polarization with WASH. SDG reporting relating to water should focus on local outcomes with WASH included, as well as key purposes that include water for food, flood control, drought resilience, and the sustainability of ecosystems. Progress could be assessed via outcome data collected by sector organizations. The GWP program could adopt a new definition of IWRM and new methods of assessment.

Interconnected factors, including improper water resource management and climate change, escalated with rapid population growth, are worsening the global water crisis. This study bridges human-environment interactions through water performance indicators to transform complex problems into manageable information if implemented within organized frameworks. The DPSIR framework (Drivers, Pressures, State, Impacts, Responses), coupled with detailed causal relationships, can demonstrate pressures of human activities on ecosystems, impacts of changing state, and prompt responses to restore and enhance sustainability by reducing stressors. The indicators that measure different attributes of water resources systems help in understanding the interactions and their dynamics. This study utilizes key indicators, including water stress, productivity, and efficiency, to assess various aspects of water resource sustainability in the Kor-Sivand River Basin, Iran, as a region facing severe water scarcity challenges. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) method is utilized to develop a composite indicator, avoiding redundant indicators while reducing complexity. Findings demonstrate growing socioeconomic drivers and pressures; the system state undergoes unstable water demands, and subsequent cascading impacts make the system respond inversely. The system's behavior at a critical tipping point in the year 2008, coinciding with severe drought and dam impoundment, reveals the effects of human-environment interactions. This transferable methodological framework can be readily adapted to other water-stressed regions worldwide, providing a replicable template for informing sustainable water governance and diagnosing human-water interactions. The findings directly inform progress toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6, Clean Water and Sanitation, by providing diagnostic tools for water stress assessment and management, supporting targets related to water-use efficiency (Target 6.4), water quality improvement (Target 6.3), and integrated water resources management (Target 6.5). The framework also holds relevance to SDG 14 through the effects of terrestrial water management decisions on downstream marine systems.

The article examines the characteristics of the formation, distribution, and utilization of water resources in the Iori River basin under conditions of contemporary climatic and anthropogenic impacts. Based on the analysis of hydrological and climatic data, the seasonal runoff regime and its change trends are assessed. The study identifies the scale of water resource deficits under different reliability levels and evaluates the efficiency of irrigation systems. It is shown that reduced runoff during the summer period, combined with increased water demand, significantly aggravates the water balance and leads to the deterioration of ecological conditions. The results of the study highlight the necessity of implementing an Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approach, which includes strengthening monitoring systems, modernizing infrastructure, improving institutional coordination, and integrating precipitation enhancement measures. The findings can be used for the development of sus-tainable water resource management strategies in the Iori River basin.

The water-energy-food (WEF) nexus is crucial for efficient resource management in agriculture, especially for high-value crops such as saffron. Despite existing studies, gaps remain in the validation of indicators representing interactions within the nexus. This study addresses these gaps by validating key indicators for sustainable WEF management in organic saffron production and identifying the most influential components. A mixed-methods approach was applied, including literature review, qualitative content analysis, and instrument validation using Lincoln and Guba's method. Face and content validity were assessed through the Content Validity Ratio (CVR) and Content Validity Index (CVI), resulting in 91 validated components from an initial 94. The highest-ranked indicators included integrated water resource management, water quality, energy technology, smart infrastructure, economic and market factors, and technology and innovation. Experts emphasized the importance of economic factors, technology adoption, and stakeholder participation for sustainability. Findings highlight the need to implement the WEF framework, strengthen institutional support, and provide targeted incentives. Policymakers and planners should prioritize these components to improve sustainable resource management and support the development of organic saffron production.

Integrating the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) hydrological model with stable isotope tracers, the study establishes a robust method for quantifying baseflow contributions, providing a reliable tool for Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) and allowing for cross-validation of simulated groundwater dynamics. Extensive seasonal sampling of river water, springs, and precipitation across elevation gradients was combined with calibrated hydrological simulations. Isotope-based mixing models and VIC outputs show good agreement, revealing a pronounced elevation-dependent increase in baseflow contribution during the dry season. Our study reports that baseflow is responsible for sustaining perennial streamflow,with contribution exceeding 70% at elevations above 1500m, and up to 97.0 ± 1.5% at higher elevations (> 3000m) , thus acting as the primary water resource for supporting dry-season water demand. This quantification is critical for ensuring sustainable groundwater resources upstream and managing river water scarcity in downstream regions. The findings in this study directly support India's Jal Jeevan Mission, Springshed Management, and National Water Policy by providing evidence-based protection for groundwater-fed springs, which are vital to rural drinking water security. This integrated framework allows stakeholders to identify hydrologically sensitive zones and maintain ecological flows amidst changing climate patterns.

An Evaluation Framework for Best Practices and Expected Outcomes in Collaborative Planning and Water Resource Management.

Abstract This study aims to address water scarcity and pollution faced by energy companies in the Yellow River Basin by developing a digitized and integrated water resources management system from the corporate perspective. A multi-objective optimization framework supplemented with linear programming was established to coordinate multiple water users, quality grades, and spatiotemporal constraints. Key methods included a standardized water data system, a digital control and display center, and a whole-life-cycle management platform. The results show that the proposed model, implemented at the Ningdong Coal-Power-Chemical Industrial Base, significantly improved the allocation efficiency of multi-source water resources, narrowed the water supply-demand gap, and enhanced the comprehensive utilization of unconventional water (e.g., mine water). Specifically, out of approximately 6.5 billion m3 of mine water generated annually in the basin, the model helped increase the utilization rate from around 31% to a substantially higher level, reducing reliance on Yellow River surface water. These findings demonstrate that digital and integrated water resources management can achieve quality-based differentiated water use, fit-for-purpose supply, and clean discharge, thereby enabling synergistic and sustainable energy production in the Yellow River Basin.

ABSTRACT Embankments have traditionally served as the primary structural measure to protect floodplains from inundation. In Bangladesh, these structures are increasingly recognized as socio‐technical systems embedded within complex social and institutional dynamics. This study critically examines the historical performance of embankments, identifies the causes of their poor functionality and current challenges, and proposes future‐oriented recommendations to rethink the traditional embankment system. Employing a mixed‐methods approach, including field observations, key informant interviews (KIIs), focus group discussions (FGDs), strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT), and policy analysis, the study provides a comprehensive analysis linking past experiences with present realities and future demands. Initially constructed in the 1960s to protect agricultural lands from prolonged monsoon flooding, embankments have since altered the biophysical characteristics of rivers and floodplains. Over time, their performance has deteriorated due to weakened institutional capacity, inadequate maintenance funding, and evolving socioeconomic conditions. The study highlights critical issues such as delayed project implementation, lack of community ownership, and unregulated sand mining. It recommends a socio‐technical approach with timely project execution, community‐based planning and management, promotion of multipurpose use, and the integration of satellite‐based monitoring, along with policy‐based recommendations. The study also recommends policy coherence and a mandated action plan per policy for proper implementation. Furthermore, aligning embankment development with integrated water resources management (IWRM) principles is essential to enhance climate resilience and ensure long‐term functionality.

Water is a renewable natural resource. While it can be considered among the group of inexhaustible natural resources on a global scale, it is a finite resource regionally and locally. Ponds play a significant role in the control and management of water resources. Despite the known importance of ponds, global data sets describing their characteristics and geographical distribution are largely lacking. This study focuses on the ponds constructed by the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works in Sivas province and their benefits. The districts where the completed ponds in Sivas province are located, their completion years, ponds volumes, and total irrigation areas are examined comparatively, and the results and necessary recommendations are presented. A total of 37 ponds were identified in Sivas, 36 of which are used for irrigation and 1 for animal drinking water. These include 25 clay-cored homogeneous fill ponds, 9 clay-cored rock fill ponds, 2 clay-cored sand-gravel fill ponds, and 1 concrete gravity fill pond. The ponds in Sivas generally share similar characteristics. It was found that Yıldızeli has the highest number of completed ponds, followed by the Central district. The western parts of Sivas are more suitable for pond construction due to natural, geographical, and topographical conditions. The number of constructed ponds is higher in the western parts of Sivas. Irrigated agriculture is more developed in these areas. Kömeviran has the smallest pond volume, while Üçöz has the largest pond volume. The total irrigation area of the 37 completed reservoirs in Sivas is 11.901 hectares. This total irrigation area covers a small percentage (0.417 percent) of Sivas province's total area. Therefore, new pond construction efforts are still ongoing in Sivas. In conclusion; it has been determined that the completed ponds in Sivas have largely achieved their purpose, and that even better results can be obtained through cooperation between farmers and the administration, the rehabilitation of existing irrigation systems, the widespread adoption of closed-circuit irrigation systems, and the transition to integrated water resource management.

Water scarcity remains a persistent challenge in Nigeria, manifesting as recurring annual shortages that compromise both the quality and quantity of water available for domestic use in rural and urban communities. This narrative review examines the health, economic, and social implications of these shortages, with particular attention to waterborne diseases (such as cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea), infrastructure deficits, and rural-urban disparities. Drawing on a synthesis of recent literature, policy analyses, and reports, the study highlights how climate variability, rapid urbanization, poor governance, and infrastructural decay exacerbate vulnerabilities. Rural areas often rely on unsafe seasonal sources (such as rivers and rainwater), while urban centers face pollution, aging pipes, and over-reliance on unregulated vendors. Women and children bear a disproportionate burden through water collection, limiting education and economic opportunities and perpetuating poverty cycles. Key findings highlight implementation gaps in existing frameworks, such as the National Water Resources Policy (2004) and the Water Sector Reform Act (2016), where weak coordination, underfunding, and corruption hinder progress despite policy ambitions. The review proposes sustainable strategies, including Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), community-based governance, rainwater harvesting, climate-resilient infrastructure, and public-private partnerships. Addressing Nigeria's water crisis demands a holistic approach integrating technological innovation, policy enforcement, and community participation to ensure equitable access to safe water, reduce disease burden, and support broader development goals.

Ecological flow is the minimum amount of water required in a river to preserve the biota in that environment. The aim of this study was to determine the ecological flow of the Ilave River (in the Churo sector, El Collao Province, Puno, Peru) using the Instream Flow Incremental Methodology (IFIM) and hydrobiological simulation with the open-source software PHABSIM, considering rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) as the indicator species. Historical records of mean monthly flows for the period 2000–2025 were analyzed, complemented by field measurements of water velocity, depth, temperature, and channel index. The results indicate that the optimal ecological flow for trout survival is 3 m³/s, with suitable temperature conditions ranging from 0 to 18 °C, a minimum depth of 0.2 m, and a channel index from 1 to 8. Statistical analysis showed that, in 11 months over the last twenty-six years, flows were below 3 m³/s, reflecting a progressive deterioration of the aquatic habitat for the fish under study. In conclusion, these findings show that the reduction in flow, mainly due to anthropogenic activities, compromises the hydrobiological sustainability of the Ilave River and endangers the persistence of its native and exotic biota. The implementation of integrated water resource management policies aimed at conserving the natural flow regime of the Ilave River is recommended.

ABSTRACT Rapid urbanization significantly influences the quantity and quality of natural water resources. This study investigates the impact of urban growth on the water quality of the Balason and Mahananda rivers in Siliguri. To evaluate the Water Quality Index (WQI), water samples for eleven physicochemical parameters were collected from seventeen selected sites. An upper – urban – downstream gradient approach was adopted, integrating statistical and GIS-based techniques for comprehensive analysis. WQI results indicated a marked decline in water quality during the lean season, particularly in densely populated urban stretches. Average WQI scores ranged from good to poor, with the most degraded sites located within the central urban zone. Statistical assessments revealed significant spatial variation in water quality across upstream, urban, and downstream segments. This research highlights that improving urban water quality aligns directly with SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation), suggesting the urgent need for integrated water resource management and sustainable urban planning.

Brazil’s water resources management is strongly influenced by the availability and temporal distribution of surface water, particularly in regions with high socioeconomic activity. The Paraná Hydrographic Region (PHR) stands out in this context due to its dense population, advanced economic development, and substantial water demand across multiple sectors. Variations in precipitation directly affect river discharge and reservoir storage, making rainfall variability a key factor in regional water availability and long-term planning. Given its socioeconomic and environmental importance, this study aims to develop a precipitation extremes climatology in the PHR and identify trends over recent decades. Daily precipitation data from the Brazilian Daily Weather Gridded Data, covering the 1961 to 2020 period, are analyzed. The Mann-Kendall statistical test and Sen’s Slope are employed to detect the significance and magnitude of trends, respectively. Results reveal apparent spatial and temporal variations in precipitation extremes across the PHR. The southern portion shows significant increasing trends in total precipitation (PRCPTOT), intensity (SDII), and the frequency of extreme events (R95p, Rx1day). In contrast, the northern region displays greater seasonality. Summer experiences the highest rainfall totals, while winter records the lowest. Additionally, there is a prevailing trend of increasing consecutive dry days (CDD) in the northern region, indicating a growing risk of prolonged droughts. Meanwhile, a reduction in consecutive wet days (CWD) in the north and eastern areas points to more frequent interruptions in the rainy periods. This study contributes to enhancing climate monitoring and integrated water resource management in the context of climate change in the PHR.

Rivers are increasingly exposed to climate extremes, characterized by more severe summer low flows and winter floods of increasing intensity. At the same time, pressures on water resources are intensifying, whether related to irrigation, biodiversity conservation, or urban cooling. This study develops and illustrates a holistic approach to enhance the hydrological resilience of small rivers facing these multiple pressures. It is based on the development of a conceptual catchment model that links stakeholders, uses, and current climatic conditions in order to better understand system functioning and interactions. Different scenarios can then be applied to anticipate their direct and indirect consequences on catchment components. This methodology is applicable to any type of catchment, regardless of its size or characteristics. It is explicit and visual, making it useful both for analyzing catchment dynamics and for communicating key issues to the public and decision-makers. It is complemented by operational tools to support the planning of concrete projects. The paper illustrates this approach through two small Swiss rivers affected by severe low flows, the Aire and the Drize. The results show that, by accounting for multiple needs, it is possible to identify integrated solutions that simultaneously address several challenges, including low-flow support, water quality improvement, restoration of ecological continuity, and urban cooling.

The Aksu River Basin, the main headwater of the Tarim River, contributes more than 70% of the main stream’s runoff and is therefore critical in maintaining hydrological stability in this arid river system. In recent decades, rapid oasis expansion and growing agricultural water withdrawals have intensified competition for surface and groundwater, posing increasing ecological risks to the downstream Tarim River Basin. To quantitatively characterize river–groundwater hydrological responses under intensive water use, we combined statistical analysis, field observations, and distributed hydrological modeling within a basin-scale conceptual framework. Multiple lines of evidence—water level monitoring, hydrochemical tracers, stable isotopes, and the integrated surface–groundwater model MIKE SHE—were used to identify river–groundwater interaction mechanisms in the Aksu alluvial plain. Results reveal a typical three-stage spatial exchange pattern: river recharge to groundwater in the upstream reach, groundwater discharge to the river in the midstream, and renewed river infiltration to groundwater downstream. The patterns inferred from water levels, hydrochemistry, and isotopes are broadly consistent, while water-level data better resolve left–right bank asymmetry. The MIKE SHE model supports the seasonal bidirectional exchange dynamics and reproduces runoff behavior with acceptable performance (RMSE and residual standard deviation within 20% of observed means and R2 > 0.7 during both calibration (2010–2017) and validation (2018–2021)). The proposed multi-evidence framework captures the spatio-temporal variability of river–groundwater interactions in arid regions and provides spatially differentiated guidance for conjunctive surface–groundwater regulation and integrated water resources management in the Tarim River Basin.

The compliant discharge of landfill leachate constitutes a pivotal factor for the effective implementation of integrated water resource management. Aged landfill leachate exhibits complex composition and an imbalanced carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. Electrocatalytic oxidation technology, as an efficient advanced oxidation process, demonstrates promising application potential. This study employed Ti/RuO2–IrO2 Anodes for the electrocatalytic oxidation treatment of aged landfill leachate. The removal efficiencies and variation patterns of chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonia nitrogen, and total nitrogen at different current densities and reaction times were systematically investigated, along with an analysis of energy consumption and current efficiency. The degradation and transformation processes of organic matter were elucidated using Three-dimensional Excitation–Emission Matrix (EEM) Spectra. Fresh anodes and those used for 1000 h were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) to elucidate their failure mechanisms. The results demonstrate that electrocatalytic oxidation achieves efficient pollutant removal. At a current density of 1000 A/m2 and a reaction time of 30 min, the effluent concentrations of ammonia nitrogen and total nitrogen satisfied the discharge standards, while COD complied with emission requirements after 60 min. The pollutant removal efficiencies were positively correlated with current density and reaction time. EEM analysis revealed that the electrocatalytic process effectively disrupts the structure of macromolecular organic matter, degrading it into smaller molecules and eventually achieving complete mineralization. Electrode characterization identified titanium substrate corrosion due to coating cracks and coating detachment as the primary causes of electrode failure. This study confirms the effectiveness of electrocatalytic oxidation technology for treating aged landfill leachate, and provides a theoretical foundation and technical support for its practical engineering application. The technology exhibits considerable theoretical significance and promising application potential in the treatment of landfill leachate.

Salinity intrusion in Gujarat's coastal aquifers is a significant and growing threat to both livelihoods and ecosystems, primarily driven by over-extraction of groundwater, sea-level rise, and climate change. Studies show that seawater intrusion leads to increased salinization, deteriorating groundwater quality, and shifts in hydrogeochemical processes, which adversely affect agriculture by reducing crop productivity and soil fertility. Notably, districts such as Surat, Kachchh, Porbandar, Anand, Valsad, Navsari, and parts of south Gujarat have experienced significant salinization due to seawater mixing with groundwater and over-extraction of aquifers. Management strategies proposed include artificial recharge techniques, physical barriers to reduce intrusion, integrated water resource management, and location-specific programs focusing on sustainable groundwater use and crop selection. Remote sensing and IoT-based monitoring have identified high-risk areas including Dabhor, Dari, Somnath, and Veraval for critical salinization, emphasizing the need for real-time management strategies. Recent advances incorporate remote sensing, IoT sensors, and machine learning for real-time monitoring of salinity intrusion hotspots to support early warning systems and sustainable management efforts.

Abstract The increasing demand for water, as exemplified by the Sembayat case with a request of 1,000 liters per second, necessitates a prompt and data-driven response from water resources authorities. However, the absence of a comprehensive long-term water balance covering the entire river basin has limited the River Basin Organization (RBO) in issuing timely and well-informed technical recommendations. To address this challenge, RBO needs to develop a long-term water balance and a global water allocation plan based on a basin-scale simulation model. In this approach, rainfall data is derived from the Global Satellite Mapping of Precipitation (GSMaP), which serves as input to the WFLOW hydrological model to estimate spatially distributed water availability across the basin. Subsequently, WFLOW results are integrated into the RIBASIM model to simulate current and future water allocations under various demand scenarios. This modelling framework considers historical hydrometeorological patterns, current conditions, and projected demands in both spatial and temporal dimensions. The simulation results provide critical insights into system performance in meeting water needs and support the evaluation of the basin’s capacity to respond to water requests at specific locations. Ultimately, this approach strengthens the accuracy, efficiency, and transparency of water permitting services and offers a replicable methodology for other basins in support of integrated water resources management (IWRM) strategies.