Integrated Water Management Research Articles

Integrating sponge city elements in Pécs' green gate project

AbstractCities worldwide are undergoing sustainable transformations driven by environmental, societal, and economic concerns. This includes improving living standards and addressing global challenges such as climate change and pollution. Urban planning strategies are being re-evaluated, emphasizing the expansion of green spaces. Pécs, Hungary, exemplify this trend through projects like the “Green Gate,” focusing on new pedestrian walkways and increased green areas. To optimize the project's impact, emphasis is placed on integrated water management and considering elements inspired by the “sponge city” concept for flood mitigation. The goal is to assess potential outcomes and feasibility in a real-world setting.

Integrated Water Management Under Different Water Rights Institutions and Population Patterns: Methodology and Application

AbstractWhile numerous studies have investigated demand management policies as a means of mitigating the impacts of climate change and population growth, little attention has been given to the interaction of spatial population patterns and water institutions that affect water shortages. In this article, we develop a methodology to evaluate how population location under alternative water institutions and climate scenarios impacts water demands, shortages, and derived economic values. We apply this methodology to the South Platte River Basin (SPRB) in Northeastern Colorado under three scenarios with ∼1,800 simulations. Results suggest that while water rights institutions have a negligible impact on total volumetric shortages relative to climate change, they have substantial distributional and economic implications. Results also suggest that continuous population growth in upstream cities yields the lowest water shortages if per capita use decreases with urbanization. However, if we assume that per capita demands do not decrease with population density, an equal distribution of population to upstream and downstream regions yields the lowest water shortage and highest economic value. These findings indicate the need that planning efforts must account for return flows and development patterns throughout a watershed in order to reduce water shortages and promote economic prosperity.

Has unsustainable groundwater use induced low flow regimes in the Urucuia Aquifer System? An urgent call for integrated water management

Groundwater depletion in the Urucuia Aquifer System (UAS) has concerned the Brazilian water agencies since it is the principal water source in the arid length of the São Francisco river. In contrast, the irrigation fields increasing and uncertainty regarding climate variability have impaired the management of this important hydrograph region of Brazil. Therefore, the proper management of the UAS relies on the correct definition of the factors that are impacting most of the ground and surface waters, i.e., whether they are from climate or anthropogenic activities. Relying on Artificial Intelligence (AI) modeling and hydrological signatures, this study proposed a methodology to disentangle the role of climatic variability and groundwater pumping on streamflow dynamics by rebuilding natural time series in four watersheds within the UAS’s boundaries. By comparing the natural to the observed streamflow time series, the long-term 90th percentile (Q_90) discharge, from which 80% can be granted for multiple uses in the State of Bahia, decreased by up to 50% in the UAS. Yet, the watersheds’ productivity, given by the 90% specific yield, ranged from -52.3% (3.8 L/s.km2 to 1.8 L/s.km2) to -74.0% (23.4 L/s.km2 to 6.1 L/s.km2). Low flow duration was ∼ 1,650 days in natural conditions and increased to 10,354 days in the current land use and cover scenario. Changes in the maximum low flow duration length ranged from 191.7% to 1,315.7%, and in the low flow, deficits were up to 7,150%. These results highlight that groundwater pumping is the principal factor of the UAS’s dryness since climate variability could not track streamflow decreases. However, climate variability is secondary because of the intensification of the atmosphere demand. Although it is a Brazilian application, the proposed methodology can be applied in other aquifer systems to guide decision-makers' management strategies worldwide.

Study Report on Optimum Utilisation Plan of Ngoma 22 Irrigation Scheme

The study was conducted in Ngoma 22 irrigation scheme located in Remera and Rurenge sectors of Ngoma District in Eastern Province of Rwanda between November 2018 and January 2019. It was recommended by RAB Board of Directors. The methodology used encompasses the study area, sampling procedures, data collection and analysis tools. The main data collection tool used was FGD which targeted site agronomists and household head farmers producing rice, fruits and vegetables as high value crops in the scheme area. Through pair wise ranking technique most profitable cash crops in the scheme were ranked as follows: (1) tree tomato, (2) maracuja, (3) egg plants, (4) water melon, (5) tomato, (6) irish potatoes, (7) french beans, (8) onions, (9) carrots, (10) cabbages, (11) beetroots. From this point of views, findings from the study show only two most profitable crops: maracuja with 696 Frw/kg followed by tree tomato with Frw 249 Frw/kg. The third ranked cash crop being Irish potato (with a loss of -40 Frw/kg), the fourth is egg plant with a loss of- 177 Frw. The existing paddy rice production has shown a loss of – 270 Frw inspite the water availability all the year-round. Maize and bush bean show respectively losses of -543 Frw/kg and -1743 Frw. Hence it is understandable why farmers in the scheme area have already abandoned maize and beans cultivation. Findings show also water fees (20,000 Frw/season) determined based on maintenance costs and farmers income. For capacity building model, more than one thousand beneficiary farmers in Ngoma 22 Irrigation Scheme need strong farmer organisation for ownership of the scheme and increased profitability. To that effect, they need continued capacity building as stated in the tripartite IMTA: administrative and financial management, record keeping, and conflicts resolution management, integrated water management, operation and maintenance of irrigation infrastructures, best agricultural practices for sustainable farmers’ organisations and commercial farming. Key recommendations include fixing minimum prices for agricultural products in relation to costs of production- or setting subsidy prices, increase yield for each crop by meeting all requirements: lime, fertilisers and improvement of irrigation technologies in order to reach automatically increased yield. Farmers should continue to leave out traditional crops and adopt profitable cash crops identified in this study (e.g maracuja and tree tomato). They should also increase the ownership spirit through IWUA and cooperatives performance. They should adopt collective marketing of their products and pay water fees per season.

GIS-based multi-criteria approach for ranking suitable areas for the implementation of PV-Powered MCDI desalination plants in the Rheris Watershed, Southeast Morocco

In Morocco's oases, which rely heavily on surface water from mountain sources, the threat of decreasing rainfall presents a significant challenge, leading to a decline in surface water availability. This study focuses on the Rheris Watershed in Southeast Morocco, where brackish water desalination emerges as a viable alternative to ensure sustainable water supply for agriculture. Prior to the deployment of a pilot plant integrating a desalination unit, selecting an optimal site for PV-powered MCDI desalination plants was critical. This selection was based on a range of criteria, including Groundwater Quantity, Global Horizontal Irradiation, Temperature, Evaporation, Water Salinity, Water Quantity, Well Density and Slope. These criteria were evaluated using a combination of the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), and geospatial data obtained from Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques.This case study in the Rheris watershed identified potential sites for future Membrane Capacitive Deionization (MCDI) desalination projects, High suitability areas encompass 280.45 km² (30.91 %), located west of Tinejdad, Khettarat Moulay Hachem, north of Goulmima, and south of Tinghir. Low suitability areas cover 63.75 km² (7.02 % of the study area), including regions south of Tadighoust and Tinejdad. Moderate suitability areas span 562.86 km² (62.05 %), involving central regions of Goulmima, Tadighoust, Tinejdad, and Tinghir. Based on the results of the study, the recommendations include focusing on areas identified as highly suitable for MCDI technology for sustainable agriculture, refining selection criteria based on local data, exploring brine management strategies, and adopting integrated water management approaches to ensure sustainable resource use.

Article Review: Relationship between Toxoplasmosis and other Diseases

Water provision is sensitive to climate change, and agricultural production and food supply are sensitive to water availability. Water scarcity affects food security and agricultural economic development through changes in agricultural production and changes in the composition of produced goods. Recent droughts also led to a decrease in the volume of water allocated to agriculture, which led to a decrease in total agricultural production and exports, and this has subsequent impacts on food security and economic development. The research aimed to measure the impact of water scarcity on agricultural economic development for the period 1990-2022. The research included three behavioral equations with three endogenous variables: the cultivated area, the value of agricultural output, and the value of gross domestic product, and four exogenous variables: the amount of available water, agricultural labor, and the value of agricultural investments and the income of other sectors, the studied model is called the sequential model, which was estimated using the Recursive method, using the ordinary least squares (OLS) method. The results indicated that increasing the amount of available water will lead to an increase in the cultivated areas by 141,129.2 dunums, and that increasing one thousand dunums of the cultivated area will increase agricultural output by 0.00821, and that agricultural labor is inversely proportional to agricultural output. It became clear that if the income of the rest of the sectors increased by one unit, the domestic product would increase by 0.1873. Water scarcity will reduce cultivated areas, which in turn will decrease agricultural output, causing the value of agricultural output to decrease and its contribution to the gross domestic product to decrease. In turn, it will have serious repercussions on agricultural economic development. Therefore, the research recommends the necessity of integrated water management and improving the efficiency of its use, as well as the application of modern technologies in agriculture, such as sprinkler irrigation, hydroponics, and redrawing crop compositions to ensure maximizing the net return per unit of water.

Shallow groundwater and river baseflow: Interconnection evidences and integrated water management strategies. Case study in the upper Descoberto watershed, Federal District, Brazil

Aquifer discharge in the form of baseflow is intimate related to river replenishment. In this manner, it is reasonable that water management practices consider an integrated approach including surface and groundwater. Effective regulatory measures, however, require the understanding of the mechanisms and the degree of such interconnection. In the Federal District, capital of Brazil, research focused on this theme are scarce, despite the relevance addressed by some authors. In the present study, shallow groundwater of Upper Descoberto Watershed was monitored for four years (2019–2023). The area responds to 60% of local population public water supply and has been facing land use conflicts and water crisis. Data were collected with 2-h resolution and compared to fluviometric stations discharge and water height records. Graphical analyses demonstrate that river baseflow is highly dependent on shallow aquifer discharge. The decrease of the phreatic aquifer water level results, in a short period, in streams flow reduction. This result is contrasting to the former agreement that considered the connection would take more time to be established. Statistical correlation coefficients are as high as 0.920 for the entire monitoring range and 0.998 for the dry season. The results evidence that soils have important reservoir and regulatory functions, even though they might not be relevant for high water demand activities. In this way, water grant process should account for correlated components, such as territory planning, estimation of total extraction by sensitive areas and properly characterization of insignificant uses, alternative and independent water sources evaluation, and definition of environmental constraints. The mitigation practices of hydric problems must include the implementation of artificial recharge devices, use of sustainable farming methods and control of rainwater overland flow. It is desirable the maintenance and enlargement of the current monitoring net so that former patterns that culminated in water crisis can be early identified and mitigated.

Nitrite-dependent microbial utilization for simultaneous removal of sulfide and methane in sewers

Chemicals are commonly dosed in sewer systems to reduce the emission of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and methane (CH4), incurring high costs and environmental concerns. Nitrite dosing is a promising approach as nitrite can be produced from urine wastewater, which is a feasible integrated water management strategy. However, nitrite dosing usually requires strict conditions, e.g., relatively high nitrite concentration (e.g., ∼200 mg N/L) and acidic environment, to inhibit microorganisms. In contrast to “microbial inhibition”, this study proposes “microbial utilization” concept, i.e., utilizing nitrite as a substrate for H2S and CH4 consumption in sewer. In a laboratory-scale sewer reactor, nitrite at a relatively low concentrations of 25–48 mg N/L was continuously dosed. Two nitrite-dependent microbial utilization processes, i.e., nitrite-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation (n-DAMO) and microbial sulfide oxidation, successfully occurred in conjunction with nitrite reduction. The occurrence of both processes achieved a 58 % reduction in dissolved methane and over 90 % sulfide removal in the sewer reactor, with microbial activities measured as 15.6 mg CH4/(L·h) and 29.4 mg S/(L·h), respectively. High copy numbers of n-DAMO bacteria and sulfide-oxidizing bacteria (SOB) were detected in both sewer biofilms and sediments. Mechanism analysis confirmed that the dosed nitrite at a relatively low level did not cause the inhibition of sulfidogenic process due to the downward migration of activity zones in sewer sediments. Therefore, the proposed “microbial utilization” concept offers a new alternative for simultaneous removal of sulfide and methane in sewers.

An Analysis of Research Trends on Groundwater Utilization in Indonesia: A Bibliometric Study

This study uses the Biblioshiny-R tool to assess the impact of elements in articles related to groundwater use in Indonesia. Groundwater is a renewable energy source that needs to be considered in terms of quantity and availability. Groundwater that is not managed correctly will pose a threat to scarcity and sustainability in its availability. This research utilizes the Scopus database, which was published in 1980. The first article was "Water Resources for Bandung City," written by Riemer Wynfrith and published by Technical Review - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The analysis shows top authors such as Putra DPE, Wilopo W, and Abidin HS had the highest h-index. Gadjah Mada University and the IOP Conference Series appeared as affiliates of most publications, and "Chaussard E, 2013, Remote Sens Environ" was the most cited theme in the publication, followed by the theme "Indonesia" and "land subsidence." Many discussions on the theme "Groundwater” are not followed by discussions on the theme of groundwater pollution, so the theme of groundwater pollution is interesting to discuss in further scientific research most collaborations, especially with Japan. This research also found that the age of a document does not significantly affect the number of citations a document receives. This research provides a comprehensive picture of groundwater utilization in Indonesia. In addition, this research examines the impact of groundwater decline and the need for integrated water management on the sustainability of groundwater availability in Indonesia.

The biofactories: Quantifying environmental benefits of the wastewater circular economy in Chile using life cycle assessment

The wastewater circular economy promises improved environmental impacts within the food-water-energy nexus. This requires verification as the global sanitation sectors seek to improve environmental impacts and achieve integrated water management. Life cycle assessment (LCA) has been used to compare novel technologies for wastewater treatment and recovery, but research addressing plant-wide improvements of co-product resource recovery using real data from full-scale plants is still needed, particularly in a Latin American context. In Chile, two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have embraced the circular economy configuration, recovering treated effluent, biosolids, and biogas, in addition to implementing advanced nitrogen removal using different technologies. The LCA of these two WWTPs demonstrated that Plant A improved 8 out of 10 impact categories compared to the baseline conventional scenario, while Plant B improved 5 categories out of 10. The analysis of the two plants showed the influence of influent quality on environmental impacts and the trade-off that occurs between the different technologies implemented. Plant B generated larger environmental credits through increased biogas and biosolids recovery due to thermal hydrolysis pre-treatment and anaerobic digestion, combined with cogeneration of heat and power. Plant A implemented water recovery, which provided benefits on a smaller magnitude but to more impact categories. Therefore, both plants improved environmental impacts through the wastewater circular economy, but further improvements in system configurations are recommended in each.

Implementing a systemic approach to water management: piloting a novel multi-level collaborative integrated water management framework in east London

ABSTRACT To address urban growth, resource competition, and environmental degradation, effective integrated water planning is crucial. In the UK, policy frameworks like the 25-Year Plan for the environment and the National Framework for Water Resources stress the need for a systemic approach. Despite efforts in stakeholder engagement and meta-models, integrating physical and human aspects in water management remains a challenge. This paper introduces a multi-level framework for regional water planning, demonstrated through London's Sub-Regional Integrated Water Management Strategy (SIWMS). The framework, depicted as an inverted triangle, starts with conceptual analysis, gathering stakeholder insights and data. Integrated modelling creates a baseline for scenario assessment, providing evidence through metrics and simulations. Integrated planning focuses on collaboration for option selection and implementation. Results show the framework's effectiveness for systems-level analysis at the river basin scale. The logical progression facilitates stakeholder engagement, enhancing shared understanding. The Water Systems Integration Modelling (WSIMOD) Framework allows simultaneous assessment of interventions on various indicators, aiding in prioritising multi-benefit schemes and identifying potential negative impacts. The study supports the prioritisation of schemes like Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) and emphasises the importance of a multi-level collaborative approach for robust, stakeholder-supported regional water planning to achieve effective implementation of planning and environmental policies.

Integrating Water Management Practices with Modern Irrigation Technologies in Aalo, West Siang District, Arunachal Pradesh

This research addresses the imperative of harmonizing traditional water management practices with contemporary irrigation technologies to ensure sustainable water use in Aalo, West Siang District, Arunachal Pradesh. Given the pressing need to optimize water resources for agricultural pursuits while upholding environmental integrity and socio-economic progress, a multidisciplinary methodology is employed. Aalo faces multifaceted challenges such as water scarcity, erratic rainfall patterns, and escalating agricultural demands. While traditional water management methods have historically upheld agricultural livelihoods, the advent of modern irrigation technologies presents promising avenues for bolstering water efficiency, crop productivity, and sustainable development. Through a mixed-methods approach, including quantitative analysis, qualitative assessments, and participatory research methods, the study endeavors to comprehensively understand water management practices and irrigation technologies in Aalo. Surveys, interviews, and field observations will facilitate the assessment of traditional water management systems' efficacy in mitigating water scarcity and supporting agricultural productivity. Concurrently, the study will evaluate the adoption and impact of modern irrigation technologies on water use efficiency, crop yields, and socio-economic indicators in the region. Anticipated findings are poised to unveil synergies and prospects for integrating traditional wisdom with modern irrigation practices to fortify sustainability and resilience in water management. Consequently, the study will offer actionable recommendations targeted at policymakers, agricultural extension services, and local communities. These recommendations encompass preserving traditional water management systems, promoting the uptake of modern irrigation technologies, fostering knowledge exchange, capacity-building initiatives, and nurturing community engagement in water management endeavors. Through these initiatives, the research aims to foster a holistic approach towards sustainable water management practices in Aalo, poised at the nexus of traditional knowledge and contemporary innovation.

Sunflower-inspired hydrogel evaporator with mutual reinforcement of evaporation and photodegradation for integrated water management

Solar interface photothermal evaporation is a promising strategy to ensure affordable water production. However, obtaining freshwater from wastewater containing highly concentrated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is still a high hanker. Here, a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based hydrogel evaporator was developed to mutually reinforce photothermal evaporation and photocatalytic degradation. The vertical structure promoted the rapid transfer of water molecules between the microchannels. Moreover, the solar absorption efficiency can be improved through multiple reflections. Furthermore, introducing polypyrrole (PPy) and MXene@TiO2@g-C3N4 (MTG) heterojunction can not only regulate the interaction force between the polymer network and water molecules to reduce the evaporation enthalpy, but also endow the PVA/PPy@MTG hydrogel with excellent photocatalytic degradation performance. Besides, the first principles simulation indicated that this hydrogel displayed higher binding energy for contaminants than water molecules. Therefore, it can achieve an evaporation rate of ∼3.0 kg m−2 h−1 and energy efficiency of ∼97.2 % under 1-sun, higher than the structure-disordered PVA/PPy@MTG hydrogel. In addition, it can degrade different complex components, especially for highly concentrated VOCs (100 ppm) with an efficiency of >94.2 %, exceeding most of the reported integrated evaporators. This work will pave a potential pathway to design novel evaporation for sustainable water remediation.

Water Resources, Pollution, Integrated Management and Practices in Nigeria – An Overview

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of Nigeria’s water landscape, focusing on its abundant surface and underground water sources and the agencies responsible for water resources development and management. Findings reveals that the country boasts vast freshwater reserves, encompassing surface and groundwater, intricate river drainage systems, numerous dams, and managed aquifer formations, primarily overseen by River Basin Development Authorities. Despite these resources, Nigeria faces severe pollution challenges, especially in the Niger Delta, resulting from oil-related activities and causing environmental degradation, health crises, and enduring ecosystem consequences. Approximately 13 million barrels of oil spills have adversely impacted coastal wetlands, mangroves, and agricultural lands. Elevated levels of heavy metal pollution, exceeding recommended guidelines, pose significant threats to public health, emphasizing the lasting impact of persistent oil spillage on fishery production and aquatic organisms. River Basin Development Authorities have made substantial contributions, challenges persist in catchment management and the indiscriminate disposal of hazardous substances. The absence of effective environmental policies necessitates urgent, coordinated action from federal and state governments. Nigeria must prioritize integrated water management practices to strike a delicate balance between resource utilization and preservation for the benefit of current and future generations. This manuscript relies on secondary sources, utilizing key search terms such as “water resources in Nigeria,” “water pollution in Nigeria,” “water supply and demand in Nigeria,” “water management in Nigeria,” and “integrated water practices in Nigeria.” Data were sourced from reputable institutions, including the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, The World Bank, United Nations Environmental Protection (UNEP), USAID’s Sustainable Water Partnership, and various scientific publications, ensuring the reliability of the presented data.

Present day and future urban cooling enabled by integrated water management

The process of urbanisation has increased public health risks due to urban heat, risks that will be further exacerbated in future decades by climate change. However, the growing adoption of integrated water management (IWM) practices (coordinated stormwater management of water, land, and resources) provides an opportunity to support urban heat amelioration through water supply provision and irrigated and vegetated infrastructure that can provide cooling benefits. This study examines the thermal impacts of future implementations of IWM for nine Australian cities based on a review of Government policy documents in the present and over two future time frames (2030 and 2050) under different greenhouse gas emission scenarios (SSPs 1.2-6, 3.7-0 and 5.8-5). Statistical analysis of the future climate data using historical data shows that future warming is nuanced, with changes variable in both time and place, and with extremes becoming more pronounced in future. We have developed a unique approach to morph the future climate projections onto historical data (derived from the ERA5 Reanalysis product) for the 2010-2020 period. Additionally, we use locally appropriate Local Climate Zones (LCZs) for Australian cities, resulting from a holistic and global approach that is widely adopted by the urban climate modelling community. We developed scenarios for business-as-usual as well as implementation of moderate and high levels of IWM across each of the Australian LCZs and modelled them using TARGET (The Air temperature Response to Green infrastructure Evaluation Tool). Results generated at the LCZ level are aggregated to Australian statistical areas (SA4, the largest sub-city area) and city-wide levels. The thermal impacts associated with the various degrees of IWM were marked and geographically differentiated, depending on the climatic characteristics of the various cities. For the current climate, high IWM intervention provided reductions in annual mean daily maximum temperature ranging from -0.77°C in Darwin, up to -1.86°C in Perth. Generally, the drier southern cities of Sydney, Canberra, Albury, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth produced the greatest thermal response to implementation of IWM and the more tropical cities with higher rainfalls the least response. For some southern cities cooling was > -3.0°C at the time of maximum summer temperatures. Interestingly high levels of IWM in winter produced modest warming of minimum overnight temperatures, especially for the cooler southern cities. The cooling benefits of IWM were seen across all future climate scenarios and are a real opportunity to offset-projected temperature increases resulting from climate change.

Chemical engineering and the circular water economy: Simulations for sustainable water management in environmental systems

In the face of escalating water scarcity and environmental degradation, the imperative for sustainable water management has never been more urgent. Chemical engineering emerges as a pivotal discipline in the pursuit of solutions to these pressing challenges. This review explores the role of chemical engineering in advancing the circular water economy paradigm through simulations aimed at fostering sustainable water management within environmental systems. The circular water economy concept advocates for the efficient utilization, recycling, and reclamation of water resources to minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency. Chemical engineering techniques play a fundamental role in realizing this vision through the design and optimization of water treatment processes, resource recovery systems, and advanced simulation methodologies. This review delves into the application of computational simulations within the realm of chemical engineering to model and analyze various aspects of the water cycle. Such simulations enable the assessment of complex environmental systems, aiding in the identification of optimal strategies for water resource allocation, pollution control, and ecosystem preservation. Key areas of focus include the simulation of wastewater treatment processes, such as biological, physical, and chemical treatment methods, to enhance pollutant removal efficiency and promote water reuse. Furthermore, advanced modeling techniques facilitate the evaluation of innovative technologies like membrane filtration, adsorption, and electrochemical processes for the purification and desalination of water resources. Moreover, chemical engineering simulations enable the assessment of integrated water management strategies, encompassing aspects of urban water systems, industrial processes, and agricultural practices. By considering the interconnectedness of various sectors, holistic approaches to water resource management can be formulated, promoting resilience and sustainability in the face of changing environmental conditions. The integration of chemical engineering simulations into the framework of the circular water economy offers a promising avenue for advancing sustainable water management practices. Through comprehensive modeling and analysis, informed decision-making can pave the way towards a more resilient and equitable water future, ensuring the long-term viability of our environmental systems.

A collaborative hybridity design approach: enhancing urban water resilience and spatial legibility

ABSTRACT Within the global transition to sustainable urban water management, Dutch polder cities are also contemplating revitalising their water traditions. One of the keys to this task is to integrate water management into urban design, which is explored but not yet practically instrumentalized in the urban design process. This article introduces the concept of hybridity and develops a Hybridity Design Approach as an interdisciplinary methodology to explore the possibility of realising the extreme low impact Closed City Concept. Integration of the water environment and urban space needs interdisciplinary cooperation and sharing knowledge, as well as an innovative way of thinking about water-resilient urban design, maximising the landscape quality of a polder city while minimising its hydrological footprint in the region. Effective visualisation tools and techniques for this collaborative design process are developed and tested in the area of Zevenkamp in Rotterdam.

Integrated water management practice in tropical peatland agriculture has low carbon emissions and subsidence rates

Hydrological management in the use of peatland for agriculture is the backbone of its sustainability and a critical factor in climate change mitigation. This study evaluates the application of an integrated water management practice known as the “Water Management Trinity” (WMT), implemented since 1986 on a coconut plantation on the eastern coast of Sumatra, in relation to CO2 emissions and subsidence rates. The WMT integrates canals, dikes, and dams with water gates to regulate water levels for both coconut agronomy and the preservation of the peat soil. The WMT has successfully regulated and maintained an average yearly water table depth of −45 to −51 cm below the surface. The methodology involved a closed chamber method for measuring soil CO2 flux using a portable Infrared Gas Analyzer, conducted weekly over a six-month period to cover dry and rainy season at bi-modal climate condition. Subsidence measurements have been ongoing from 1986 to 2022. The results show bare peat soil has heterotrophic respiration CO2 emissions of 7.77 t C–CO2 ha−1 yr−1, while in coconut plantations 7.99 t C–CO2 ha−1 yr−1, similar to emissions in mineral soils. Autotrophic respiration leads to the overestimation of CO2 emissions on peatland and accounts for 212–424% of the total emissions. The cumulative subsidence from 1986 to 2022 is −56.3 cm, with a soil rise of +0.8 cm in 2022, indicating a flattening rate of subsidence. This is characterized by an increase in bulk density at the surface from 0.072 to 0.144 gr/cm3, with approximately 81% of the subsidence being due to compaction. The statistical analysis found no relationship between water table depth and CO2 emissions, indicating that water table depth cannot be used as a predictor for CO2 emissions. In summary, peatland agriculture has a promising future when managed sustainably using an integrated hydrological management system.

Advances in Water in Agroscience

Worldwide, water is essential for maintaining an adequate agricultural production and fostering a sustainable ecosystem for humanity alongside diverse flora, fauna, and microbial life. However, the intensification of anthropogenic activities, the occurrence of climate variability, and the presence of environmental issues are still threatening the quantity and quality of fresh water. Therefore, integrated water management is critical for the sustainable development of a region. This Agrociencia Uruguay Special Issue on “Advances in Water in Agroscience” is designed to draw attention to new concepts, approaches, methodologies, and novel applications aiming to improve sustainable and integrated water resource management. This Special Issue contains fifteen publications sorted into the following macro fields: irrigation and water management, integrated catchment management, and water quality and environmental sustainability.

WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT MODEL BASED ON REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT: CASE STUDY OF MAGETAN REGENCY, INDONESIA

<p><strong>Background.</strong> The need for water in Magetan Regency, Indonesia, continues to increase along with regional development. <strong>Objective. </strong>To identify the condition of the water balance and water critical index in Magetan Regency; and forming a regional development-based water management model in Magetan Regency. <strong>Methodology. </strong>Formation of a water management model based on regional development, both demographically and regional economic development (agriculture, livestock, fisheries, industry, and tourism), and the environment (river and lake maintenance). This study uses water availability data from seven watersheds. The water management model uses a dynamic system model, with an analysis coverage throughout the Magetan Regency area. The annual water balance of Magetan Regency shows that the water balance and water critical index of Magetan Regency are in near critical condition. Integrated water management is needed to avoid critical water conditions in Magetan Regency in the future. <strong>Results. </strong>Based on the results of model simulations with the application of policy simulations, the water balance in Magetan Regency during the period 2016 to 2030 is still in a near critical condition, but critical water conditions only occur during the 2018-2020 period. <strong>Implications.</strong> Critical water conditions in the future can be avoided by implementing policy scenarios. The policy scenarios include: (1) reforestation, planting 500,000 tree seedlings each year, (2) maintenance of rivers and lakes twice a year, (3) construction of a reservoir with a capacity of 5000 m<sup>3</sup> each year. However, water availability is still fluctuating because the main factor for water availability is rainfall. <strong>Conclusion.</strong> the policy scenario is proven to be able to increase the availability of water in Magetan Regency.</p>