Sustainable Water Management Research Articles

Linking local and global: Assessing water scarcity risk through nested trade networks

AbstractAs water scarcity escalates globally, there is a growing focus on assessing its economic impact, both locally and through trade networks, defined as water scarcity risk (WSR). Given China's pivotal role as a top importer and exporter, coupled with significant spatial disparities in water scarcity across its provinces, understanding the spread of water scarcity risks within China and their interplay with global water dynamics is imperative yet relatively unexplored. This study constructs a nested Multi‐Regional Input‐Output (MRIO) model to evaluate water scarcity risk, connecting Chinese provinces with global counterparts. Notably, we integrate the spatial heterogeneity of environmental flow requirement as a vital criterion for long‐term sustainable water management in our assessment. Our findings reveal substantial economic impacts caused by water scarcity, with a global WSR valued at $11.1 trillion, of which $6.2 trillion is attributed to trade. Critical regions, sectors, and region‐sectors are identified, offering valuable insights for targeted interventions. This study presents a unique perspective on global water scarcity risk assessment at a higher resolution scale, laying the groundwork for the formulation of effective water scarcity risk mitigation strategies aligned with sustainable development goals, particularly SDG 6 and 8.

Water Carrying Capacity on Small Islands Tourism: Case Study of the Tidung Islands, Jakarta

This study examines the water carrying capacity of the Tidung Islands, a popular small island tourism destination in Jakarta, Indonesia. The research aims to measure the availability of water resources and assess the balance between water supply and demand, focusing on both domestic and tourism needs. Using a water balance approach, the study analyzes seasonal fluctuations in precipitation, evapotranspiration, runoff, and changes in water storage. The results indicate that while Tidung Islands currently have a surplus of water resources, projected increases in population and tourism will lead to periods of water deficit by 2040. The study highlights the critical need for sustainable water management practices, including rainwater harvesting, efficient water use, and community involvement in conservation efforts. Implementing these strategies is essential to ensure long-term water security and support the continued growth of tourism and local development in Tidung Islands.

Development and characterization of log periodic feedline based filter for water leakage detection in size invariant PVC pipes

In this proposed work, water leakage detection in Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes has been investigated using a ring filter connected to log-periodic feedlines (LPF). The proposed filter has a well-structured ring design to adjust the PVC pipes and operates between 0.3 GHz & 0.7 GHz. Using a signal generator & analyzer, attenuation measurements are obtained to analyze the impact of water leakage. PVC pipes with varying diameters (3 inches, 2 inches, 1.5 inches, & 1 inch) are connected with water stoppers to control the water flow during experiments. The leak is contained within a plastic tub to make measurements easier. Results show a good connection between attenuation & water level for all pipe diameters, supporting the LPF-based ring filter’s effectiveness as a leakage detector. An analogous circuit model is created to evaluate the filter’s performance further. At the same time, the resonant parameters, such as Q-factors & resonant frequencies, are retrieved from S21 magnitude measurements in the operating frequency range. The proposed methodology is shown to be accurate & reliable, offering significant potential for water leakage detection in PVC pipe systems. By accurately detecting water leakage, this technology enables prompt repairs, reducing water loss & associated costs, enhancing water infrastructure, and promoting sustainable water management.

Assessing the Groundwater Quality in Urban Areas Using the DEMATEL Method

The Dhanbad area in Jharkhand, India, is a significant coal mining region located in the middle of the Damodar River basin. The geological composition of the area ranges in age from to Recent, encompassing, granites, pegmatite, and gneisses. These rocks are accompanied by bands of s and amphibolites. In this particular region, groundwater occurrence and movement are primarily restricted to semi weathered/weathered and fractured rocks. The movement of groundwater depends on various factors, including the thickness, size, extent, and openness of the weathered zone, as well as the interconnections of fractures within the rocks. Due to the dynamic nature of groundwater resources, it is susceptible to various factors that can impact its availability and quality. The expansion of irrigation activities, industrialization, and urbanization in the area can have significant implications for the groundwater resources. These activities can lead to increased water demand, contamination risks, and changes in the hydrological balance. Given the importance of groundwater as a vital resource, it becomes crucial to monitor and conserve it effectively. Monitoring techniques, such as hydrological studies, geophysical surveys, and groundwater level measurements, can provide valuable information about the status and behavior of groundwater resources. Conservation efforts may involve implementing sustainable water management practices, promoting water-use efficiency, and controlling pollution sources. By utilizing GIS and available physic-chemical data, the study seeks to generate a comprehensive water quality index map that can assist in making informed decisions regarding water resource management and protection in the Dhanbad area. This understanding can help in developing sustainable strategies to ensure the availability and quality of groundwater in areas like, where natural resources are intricately linked to human activities and industrial development. The variations in the resistivity of water-bearing weathered/fractured rocks in the Dhanbad area depend on the specific geological characteristics of the rocks and their water content. The resistivity refers to the rock's ability to resist the flow of electric current and can provide insights into the rock's porosity and permeability, which are crucial factors for groundwater movement. The depth to groundwater in the area can vary and is typically measured from below ground level. This depth is influenced by factors such as local topography, rainfall patterns, and geological conditions. The presence of active and abandoned coal mines, waste dumps, coal washeries, coking coal plants, and thermal power plants can introduce pollutants into the environment. These pollutants have the potential to contaminate groundwater, affecting its quality and usability. It is important to address these environmental concerns and prioritize the implementation of effective measures to mitigate the impact of coal mining and related activities on groundwater resources. Alternative parameters taken as Total dissolved solid, total hardness, Nitrate, ammonia nitrogen, Fluoride, Fluoride. the first ranking training is obtained with the lowest quality of compensation.

Synergistic effects of Spirulina platensis cultivation in textile wastewater towards nutrient removal and seed germination study

Recent escalating concerns surrounding textile wastewater pollution and the urgent need for sustainable treatment solutions to mitigate its environmental impact. This study investigates the multifaceted effects of Spirulina platensis (SP) cultivation in textile wastewater from two different sources (TWW1 and TWW2), focusing on growth kinetics, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), and nutrient removal percentage, and seed germination enhancement. Results showed that SP exhibited comparable growth performance in TWW1 and TWW2 to the control, indicating its potential for sustainable wastewater treatment. Moreover, maximum COD removal percentages were achieved, reaching 62.59 ± 1.88 % for TWW1 and 46.68 ± 1.40 % for TWW2 on day 5. The COD removal process aligns best with the first-order kinetic model. Nutrient removal rates showed decreasing trends over time, with maximum phosphate removal percentages of 36.42 ± 0.73 % for TWW1 and 62.18 ± 1.24 % for TWW2, and maximum ammonia removal percentages of 59.34 ± 1.18 % for TWW1 and 69.31 ± 1.39 % for TWW2. FTIR analysis confirmed pollutant removal-induced changes in algal biomass functional groups. Seed germination studies indicated enhanced shoot and root development of vigna radiatas using treated TWW1 and TWW2 compared to the control, suggesting potential applications for irrigation. An increase in the lipid & carbohydrate content post-treatment was observed and it would be suitable for biofuel production. This comprehensive assessment demonstrates the synergistic benefits of phycoremediation in simultaneously removing pollutants, promoting plant growth, and enhancing wastewater treatment efficiency, underscoring its potential for sustainable water management practices.

Rainfall partitioning characteristics and simulation of typical shelter forest in Chinese Mu Us Sandy Land

Numerous shelter forests have been established to combat desertification in the Mu Us Sandy Land, China. Shelter forests modify the characteristics of the underlying surface and affect the regional water cycle by altering rainfall partitioning. Understanding the rainfall partitioning process and its controlling factors for indigenous and exotic species is crucial for vegetation restoration and sustainable soil water management. This study developed an event-based rainfall partitioning process for three typical shelter forests. Indigenous vegetation, Amygdalus pedunculata Pall. (A. pedunculata), and two exotic species, Amorpha fruticosa L. (A. fruticose) and Pinus sylvestris var. mongholica Litv. (P. sylvestris), were observed during the rainy seasons (July and August) of 2021 and 2022. The results showed that throughfall, stemflow, and interception loss constituted 71.01 %, 8.23 %, and 20.76 % of rainfall, respectively, for A. pedunculata. The corresponding values were 74.65 %, 8.47 %, and 16.88 % for A. fruticose and 73.27 %, 1.44 %, and 25.29 % for P. sylvestris. Compared with the introduced P. sylvestris, the shrub canopy showed a greater funneling ratio and was conducive to recharging soil water by precipitation. The amount and intensity of rainfall were significantly correlated with the rainfall partitioning characteristics, whereas the correlation between rainfall duration and partitioning was insignificant. Based on the results of the revised Gash model, the stemflow was primarily influenced by the percentage of rainfall diverted to the stemflow. The interception loss for P. sylvestris was primarily influenced by the canopy storage capacity. However, the canopy storage capacity and the ratio of mean evaporation rate to mean rainfall intensity had significant effects on the interception loss in A. pedunculata and A. fruticose. It is necessary to comprehensively consider the vegetation type (tree/shrub and indigenous/exotic species) and the corresponding rainfall partitioning characteristics of shelter forests for the scientific construction and management of shelter forests in the Mu Us Sandy Land.

Efficient biological treatment: Achieving exceptional reductions in pollutants and ensuring environmental compliance

The study assessed the effectiveness of treatment processes in removing organic matter, biogenic compounds and suspended solids at the subsequent treatment stages one of the Polish municipal wastewater treatment plant. In a comprehensive mechanical-biological treatment, for all tested pollution indicators, i.e. biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and total suspended solids (TSS), outstanding results, surpassing regulatory standards, were obtained. The achieved average percentage reduction was from 87 % for TN (standard deviation of 2.7 %) to average 99 % for BOD5 (standard deviation of 0.3 %). The observed average BOD5/COD ratio of 0.45 aligned with typical values reported, and the decrease in the ratio to 0.13 after biological treatment underscored the efficacy of these processes in organic compounds decomposition and managing difficult-to-degrade substances. The BOD5/TN values emphasized the effectiveness of the treatment, maintaining well-balanced proportions between organic carbon and nitrogen compounds. Moreover, raw sewage showed notable susceptibility to nitrogen removal, indicated by the highest average BOD5/TN ratio of 6.72, suggesting a high propensity for biodegradation. This study highlighted that the average BOD5/TP value of 56 in raw sewage indicated a significant susceptibility to phosphorus compound removal. The treated sewage consistently adhered to environmental regulations, demonstrating minimal variability in pollution indicators. That underscored the effectiveness of treatment processes in meeting stringent standards and achieving significant reductions in pollutants. Effective sewage treatment is even more significant, because it is possible to reuse treated sewage e.g. for irrigation in agriculture, what contributes to the sustainable water management.

Exploring urban water‐energy nexus: A case study of thermal power plants in Raichur and Ballari districts in Karnataka

AbstractThe paper provides a coupled framework of the water‐energy nexus for the water‐stressed Indian cities, weaving together multiple interlinked facets, such as the demand for drinking water, water withdrawal patterns, water‐related challenges in Thermal Power Stations (TPSs), and the benefits of using treated wastewater in TPSs. An integrated approach is suggested for maximizing the benefits of wastewater reclamation, while reducing the environmental impacts of inefficient water usage, specifically in TPSs, the largest water users in the industrial sector. This is particularly important for a developing country like India that faces declining water availability due to a growing population without commensurate increases in water‐use efficiency. Currently, India is the third largest electricity generator in the world, with coal‐fired TPSs accounting for more than 78% of the total generation (1715 TWh in 2021). This presents a case for an integrated approach to reduce freshwater consumption in TPSs located in the proximity of cities by using treated wastewater from sewage treatment plants (STPs). The integrated approach for utilizing wastewater in TPSs is a promising tail‐pipe initiative that can address multiple targets under the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 in conjunction with other interlinked Goals and their targets. The findings highlight that the suggested sustainable water management practices would lead to enhanced availability of potable water for the city dwellers, thereby addressing multiple targets under SDG 6 along with a few other consequential dimensions including affordable electricity.

Toward Enhancing Wastewater Treatment with Resource Recovery in Integrated Assessment and Computable General Equilibrium Models.

Sustainable water management is essential to increasing water availability and decreasing water pollution. The wastewater sector is expanding globally and beginning to incorporate technologies that recover nutrients from wastewater. Nutrient recovery increases energy consumption but may reduce the demand for nutrients from virgin sources. We estimate the increase in annual global energy consumption (1,100 million GJ) and greenhouse gas emissions (84 million t CO2e) for wastewater treatment in the year 2030 compared to today's levels to meet sustainable development goals. To capture these trends, integrated assessment and computable general equilibrium models that address the energy-water nexus must evolve. We reviewed 16 of these models to assess how well they capture wastewater treatment plant energy consumption and GHG emissions. Only three models include biogas production from the wastewater organic content. Four explicitly represent energy demand for wastewater treatment, and eight include explicit representation of wastewater treatment plant greenhouse gas emissions. Of those eight models, six models quantify methane emissions from treatment, five include representation of emissions of nitrous oxide, and two include representation of emissions of carbon dioxide. Our review concludes with proposals to improve these models to better capture the energy-water nexus associated with the evolving wastewater treatment sector.

Origin of spring water chemistry and its appropriateness for drinking requirements in a semi-arid environment (Ain Larbi, Algeria)

ABSTRACT A comparative assessment of water quality for drinking purposes was conducted in Ain Larbi area using the Weighted Arithmetic Water Quality Index (WA-WQI). The origin of minerals is assessed by a saturation index approach and the Gibbs diagram. Also, mineral correlation process and ion exchange mechanism are detected by the Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The PCA results indicate that the groundwater quality in the Ain Larbi study area primarily results from weathering and geochemical alteration of rock. The saturation index and Gibbs diagram support these findings. The WA-WQI was calculated for each station based on physicochemical parameters. During the wet season, three out of five classes of WQI were observed in the present study, including excellent (25%), good (70%), and poor (5%). In the dry season, the classes excellent (25%), good (30%), and poor (45%) were represented. The present situation demonstrates how hydrogeological regimes and water–rock interactions affect groundwater ion concentrations. Our results contribute to identifying drinking water requirements in the Ain Larbi region, promoting sustainable water management.

“Design and analysis of bamboo fiber-based anchor spray irrigation system for sustainable water management in agriculture”

“Design and analysis of bamboo fiber-based anchor spray irrigation system for sustainable water management in agriculture”

Climate change impact assessment on the hydrological response of the Tawa basin for sustainable water management

Sustainable water resources planning and management are essential for meeting the needs of both current and future generations while mitigating environmental impacts. River basins, integral components of ecosystems, are pivotal in implementing well-balanced and responsible management strategies. River basins serve as crucial sources for freshwater supply, irrigation, hydropower generation, and industrial activities. In the face of climate change, it becomes imperative to prioritize the hydrological impact assessment of river basins. This prioritization aims to ensure the resilience of water systems, recognizing the heightened challenges posed by changing climatic conditions. The present study examines the projected changes in the mean and high flow of Tawa River, an important Narmada River tributary that is critical for agriculture and hydropower generation using two conceptual lumped hydrological models, MIKE 11 NAM and GRJ4 respectively, and thirteen CMIP6 global climate models (GCMs) for two shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs), SSP2-45 and SSP5-85, in the near (2030–2060) and far (2070–2100) futures. Our findings reveal a significant rise in both mean monthly and extreme discharge levels for two scenarios: SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5. Notably, the projections indicate that the mean annual discharge, extreme discharge levels, and their frequency are anticipated to rise considerably more dramatically in the period of far future (2070–2100), particularly under the SSP5-8.5 scenario. This study underlines the importance of establishing a mitigation strategy for sustainable water resources and increased community resilience to climate change in the Tawa River Basin.

Comprehensive Analysis and Environmental Risk Assessment of Benzotriazoles in Airport Stormwater: A HS-SPME-GC × GC-TOF-MS-Based Procedure as a Tool for Sustainable Airport Runoff Water Management

Despite the numerous benefits of intensive air transport development, many activities associated with the operation of airports contribute to environmental pollution. The purpose of this research was the development, optimization, and validation of a headspace–solid-phase microextraction–comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography–time of flight–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC × GC-TOF-MS)-based procedure for determining anti-corrosive compounds in airport stormwater. Optimized HS-SPME conditions include: 45 min extraction time, 100 °C temperature, 1.0 g salt addition, and 10 min desorption time at 270 °C. The developed procedure is sensitive, selective, accurate (recoveries ≥ 80.0%), and precise (the coefficient of variation (CV) ≤ 14.9%), making it a highly suitable tool for extensive airport stormwater quality monitoring. The validated analytical protocol was successfully used to detect pollutants, including 1H-BT, 4-MeBT, 5-MeBT, and 5,6-diMe-1H-BT, in stormwater from various European airports with different flight capacities. Throughout the sampling period at the investigated airports, 1H-benzotriazole was found in the highest concentrations, ranging from below the MQL to 467 mg/L. An ecotoxicological risk assessment revealed that 69% of the sites exhibited high risk levels (Risk Quotient ≥ 1). The developed procedure and carried out environmental risk assessments of benzotriazoles in airport stormwater enable an evidence-based approach to sustainable airport stormwater management.

European vineyards and their cultural landscapes exposed to record drought and heat

CONTEXTEuropean vineyards, producing over 50% of the world's wine and hosting significant cultural landscapes, face threats from climate change and related severe weather events. The summer of 2022, especially July, posed significant challenges due to extreme drought and high temperatures. However, this period also provided an opportunity to study how such events might involve viticulture in Europe and to explore mitigation solutions. OBJECTIVEThe objectives are (1) to characterize the severity of the extreme event of July 2022 in European wine regions regarding primary climatic parameters, (2) map vineyards at risk due to agricultural drought and high land surface temperature, and (3) discuss the role of various water-related interventions for mitigating similar events. METHODSAfter identifying the locations of European vineyards using the Corine Land Cover 2018 (CLC2018), open-access satellite data were employed to: (1) assess anomalies in Maximum Air Temperature (NATm), Land Surface Temperature (LST), Precipitation (P), and Soil Moisture (SM) in July 2022 compared to long-term averages; (2) identify regions at higher risk that experienced extreme agricultural drought (Vegetation Health Index, VHI = Extreme) and LST > 35 °C. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSIn July 2022, European vineyards experienced an average increase of 11% in NATm, a 9% rise in LST, and a reduction of 47% in P and 30% in SM compared to historical averages. 18% of European vineyards were at risk of drought and excessive heat, particularly in Portugal (31%), France (27%), and Italy (21%), including 10 viticultural cultural landscapes. Findings highlight the urgent need for long-term sustainable water management practices over emergency interventions. This research supports informed decision-making, emphasizing that climate resilience is necessary for preserving the cultural heritage of European wine-growing areas. SIGNIFICANCEThis research provides an overview of the dynamics of extreme events on viticulture at a continental scale, promoting climate-aware viticultural systems and offering insight scalable to global viticulture under changing climatic conditions.

Maximizing daily rainfall prediction accuracy with maximum overlap discrete wavelet transform‐based machine learning models

AbstractRainfall is an important phenomenon for various aspects of human life and the environment. Accurate prediction of rainfall is crucial for a wide range of sectors, including agriculture, water resources management, energy production, disaster management and many more. The ability to predict rainfall in an accurate fashion enables stakeholders to make informed decisions and take necessary actions to mitigate the impacts of natural disasters, water scarcity and other issues related to rainfall. In addition, advances in rainfall prediction technologies have the potential to contribute to sustainable water management and the preservation of water resources by providing the necessary information for decision‐makers to plan and implement effective water management strategies. Hence, it is important to continuously improve the accuracy of rainfall prediction. In this paper, the integration of the maximum overlap discrete wavelet transform (MODWT) and machine learning algorithms for daily rainfall prediction is proposed. The main objective of this study is to investigate the potential of combining MODWT with various machine‐learning algorithms to increase the accuracy of rainfall prediction and extend the forecast time horizon to 3 days. In addition, the performances of the proposed hybrid models are contrasted with the models hybridized with commonly used discrete wavelet transform (DWT) algorithms in the literature. For this, daily rainfall raw data from three rainfall observation stations located in Turkey are used. The results show that the proposed hybrid MODWT models can effectively improve the accuracy of precipitation forecasting, based on model evaluation measures such as mean square error (MSE) and Nash‐Sutcliffe coefficient of efficiency (CE). Accordingly, it can be concluded that the integration of MODWT and machine learning algorithms have the potential to revolutionize the field of daily rainfall prediction.

New strategy based on Hammerstein–Wiener and supervised machine learning for identification of treated wastewater salinization in Al-Hassa region, Saudi Arabia

The agricultural sector faces challenges in managing water resources efficiently, particularly in arid regions dealing with water scarcity. To overcome water stress, treated wastewater (TWW) is increasingly utilized for irrigation purpose to conserve available freshwater resources. There are several critical aspects affecting the suitability of TWW for irrigation including salinity which can have detrimental effects on crop yield and soil health. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a novel approach for TWW salinity prediction using artificial intelligent (AI) ensembled machine learning approach. In this regard, several water quality parameters of the TWW samples were collected through field investigation from the irrigation zones in Al-Hassa, Saudi Arabia, which were later assessed in the lab. The assessment involved measuring Temperature (T), pH, Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP), Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), and Salinity, through an Internet of Things (IoT) based system integrated with a real-time monitoring and a multiprobe device. Based on the descriptive statistics of the data and correlation obtained through the Pearson matrix, the models were formed for predicting salinity by using the Hammerstein-Wiener Model (HWM) and Support Vector Regression (SVR). The models’ performance was evaluated using several statistical indices including correlation coefficient (R), coefficient of determination (R2), mean square error (MSE), and root mean square error (RMSE). The results revealed that the HWM-M3 model with its superior predictive capabilities achieved the best performance, with R2 values of 82% and 77% in both training and testing stages. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of AI-ensembled machine learning approach for accurate TWW salinity prediction, promoting the safe and efficient utilization of TWW for irrigation in water-stressed regions. The findings contribute to a growing body of research exploring AI applications for sustainable water management.

Sustainable water management in construction: life-cycle embodied water assessment of residential buildings

PurposeThis study aims to enhance our understanding of sustainable water management in construction through a life-cycle embodied water assessment of a villa in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It provides insights and recommendations for improving the water efficiency by identifying areas for potential embodied water saving and reduction in environmental impacts in the construction industry.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses a life-cycle assessment (LCA) approach and focuses on a UAE villa as a case study. It analyses the embodied water consumption during construction (initial embodied water) and maintenance (recurrent embodied water) using an input–output-based hybrid analysis. Additionally, it compares the embodied water observations with the operational water usage and comprehensively evaluates the water consumption in the villa’s life-cycle.FindingsThe initial (28%) and recurrent embodied water (42%) represent significant proportions of a building’s life-cycle water demand. The structural elements, predominantly concrete and steel, contribute 40% of the initial embodied water consumption. This emphasises the importance of minimising the water usage in these materials. Similarly, internal finishes account for 47% of the recurrent embodied water. This emphasises the importance of evaluating the material service life.Practical implicationsThese findings indicate the efficacy of using durable materials with low embodiment and water-efficient construction methods. Additionally, collaborative research between academia, industry, and the government is recommended in conjunction with advocating for policies promoting low embodied-water materials and transparency in the construction sector through embodied water footprint reporting.Originality/valuePrevious studies focused on the operational water and marginally addressed the initial embodied water. Meanwhile, this study highlights the significance of the initial and recurrent embodied water in the life-cycle water demand. It emphasises on the need for adaptable buildings with reduced embodied water and more durable materials to minimise the requirement for frequent material replacements.

Water Stress: Between Farmers' Needs and Public Policies the Case of Smallholder Farmers in the Villages of Nabatieh Governorate

Water scarcity is a paramount developmental and livelihood issue globally, posing life-threatening challenges in the Arab world and the Eastern Mediterranean. This scarcity manifests in two forms: physical scarcity, due to insufficient water resulting from local environmental conditions, and economic scarcity, characterized by inadequate water infrastructure. When these forms of scarcity converge, they lead to severe water stress, exemplified by regions experiencing both low rainfall and inadequate water storage and sanitation facilities. In Lebanon, state policies, or the lack thereof, have significantly exacerbated water scarcity. Governmental negligence and mismanagement of water resources, compounded by insufficient investment in infrastructure, have intensified both physical and economic water scarcities. The lack of effective water conservation policies, poor maintenance of existing water facilities, and failure to develop new water projects have led to severe water stress, hindering developmental progress and threatening the livelihoods and health of the population. The combined effect of environmental challenges and governmental inaction has made water scarcity a critical issue, necessitating immediate and comprehensive interventions to ensure sustainable water management and availability for the future.

Taking away the economic “water productivity” illusion: An indicator inapt to inform meaningful water policies

Economic water productivity, gross value added per volume of water use, is a widely used metric by international and national organizations to monitor the impacts of economic activity on water use. In fact, this metric is often used synonymously with water efficiency. Considering this, our study analyzes the adequacy of economic water productivity as a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for monitoring if water use has become more efficient. Using 15-year panel data for the 27 European countries and carrying out a sensitivity analysis with seven Asian countries to extrapolate our results, we address our hypothesis that changes in economic water productivity are not driven by increases in physical water efficiency but mostly originate from different sources of economic growth. Our results show that the improvements in economic water productivity are not necessarily associated with improvements in water efficiency but with advances in capital intensity and, hence, in labor productivity. Accordingly, we encourage policy-makers to replace this indicator – which is based solely on an economic vision rather than ecological concerns – with indicators that report the actual pressure on the water resources (e.g., absolute water consumption or physical water-efficiency indicators) or those that at least include their driving factors in the analysis (e.g. capital intensity, labor productivity). This would allow decision makers designing policies that are more effective and genuinely ensure sustainable water management. Otherwise, economically biased political assessments likely will provide erroneous results, leading to policy recommendations causing undesired environmental impacts in the medium and long term.

The Role of Precipitation in Sustainable Water Management: Insights from Atmospheric Science

Water scarcity is a growing challenge in many regions around the world, including Nigeria, where precipitation patterns have a significant impact on water availability for human and ecological systems. This research paper explores the role of precipitation in sustainable water management, drawing insights from atmospheric science research. In particular, we conduct a trend analysis of precipitation in key areas of Nigeria using the new Innovative Trend Analysis (ITA) method. ITA is a powerful statistical method that allows for the detection of trends and periodicities in time series data, even in the presence of non-linear trends and data uncertainties. Our analysis aims to provide a better understanding of how precipitation has changed over time in Nigeria and what implications these changes have for water management strategies and practices. The potential for atmospheric science research to inform future water policy and planning decisions are also discussed. The examination of precipitation trends using the ITA approach revealed a range of patterns, from reducing or trendless scatter points in the southern vegetation zones to increasing precipitation trends in the savannah regions; this emphasizes the need for context-specific water management strategies. Regions experiencing declining precipitation may necessitate adaptive measures to address potential water scarcity, while those with increasing trends require strategies to mitigate potential flooding risks. By combining meteorological data with reviewed insights from other disciplines such as hydrology, ecology, and economics, we can work towards a more sustainable and equitable management of water resources in Nigeria and even beyond.