Water Conservation Research Articles

Minimizing brine waste in thermal power plants: A techno-economic evaluation of secondary RO and closed circuit RO systems

Thermal power plants situated in water-scarce regions encounter a critical challenge: balancing high water demand with environmental sustainability. Although efforts have been concentrated on optimizing cooling systems, the aspect of minimizing wastewater within water treatment units (WTUs) has been overlooked. This study conducted a techno-economic analysis comparing two brine treatment options for WTUs, secondary reverse osmosis (RO) and closed-circuit RO (CCRO), using a power plant in northwestern Iran as a case study. Both systems demonstrated notable water conservation benefits. CCRO achieved a 10 % higher recovery rate but necessitated 12 % more antiscalant. The secondary RO system consumed 56 % more energy than CCRO (1.68 vs. 1.078 kWh per m3) and emitted 20.5 % more greenhouse gases. Despite CCRO having a 35 % higher initial cost, its superior recovery rate resulted in a comparable total product cost of permeate water (approximately $0.55 per m3). This attributed to CCRO's reduced energy consumption (56 % less) and operational costs (20 % less), which offset its higher capital expenses. The study also emphasized the significance of a system's lifespan and interest rates as the most critical factors influencing total product cost. Operational costs, including labor, antiscalant, and electricity, also played a role, albeit to a lesser extent. These findings indicate that CCRO technology presents a promising environmentally sustainable solution for power plants aiming to reduce wastewater generation and enhance water management strategies.

Modeling of cotton yield responses to different irrigation strategies in Southern Xinjiang Region,China

Southern Xinjiang region represents a prototypical oasis agricultural area, and cotton is the primary cash crop. The current cotton water productivity for this area remains room for improvement. In order to refine cotton drip irrigation strategy in Southern Xinjiang, this study combined field experiment with crop model simulation and prediction. In this experiment, two irrigation methods, furrow irrigation and drip irrigation, and different degrees of deficit irrigation were set up. The impacts of soil moisture on cotton yield and quality were assessed, with the additional utilization of the Root Zone Water Quality Model (RZWQM2) for simulating irrigation scenarios and predicting cotton yield field data showed that during the 2021–2022 growing season, drip irrigation significantly increased boll weight, yield, and Water Productivity compared to furrow irrigation. The deficit irrigation with 90 % of full irrigation during the flowering period resulted in the highest yield among all drip irrigation treatments, while simultaneously improving the fiber quality. The RZWQM2 model was calibrated and validated using 2021 and 2022 cotton field experimental data, respectively. The calibrated and verified RZWQM2 model shows good performance. In terms of soil water storage, cotton yield and evapotranspiration. The simulated value output by the model is close to the measured value in the field. Model prediction data suggest that there is still room for improvement in cotton yield, accompanied by an increase in evapotranspiration. But deficit irrigation below 80 % of the full irrigation quotas poses a notable risk of yield reduction. Targeting higher yields, the predicted scenario suggests an increase in water application (irrigation quota:314.8 mm). Additionally, this study proposes irrigation regimes with water savings of 10 % and 20 %, with irrigation quotas of 290.5 mm and 266.5 mm during the growth period, respectively. Based on this study, we provide a more detailed and reliable water-saving scheme for cotton drip irrigation in southern Xinjiang region.

Water conservation by managers at the workplace: Examination of attitudes and behaviour using the theory of planned behaviour

Understanding the behavioural drivers of water conservation in public spaces is essential for enhancing the effectiveness of water resources management and water use especially in water scarce environments. This study used the Theory of Planned Behaviour to determine the contributing factors of water conservation attitude and behaviour among managers at work. Data were collected from 72 managers at North-West University – Mahikeng, South Africa through self-administered survey questionnaire. Results showed that behaviour practices of reporting water leakages and closing taps were prevalent among the managers. Furthermore, positive correlations including length of service (r = 0.791); training on water issues (r = 0.542); gender (r = 0.509) and speaking about water conservation (r = 0.091) emerged as significant predictors of a water conservation attitude and behaviour. Promotion of water conservation attitude and behaviour through education and training would have a greater tendency among managers to conserve water at work.

Ecological space management and control zoning of Giant Panda National Park from the perspective of ecosystem services and land use

Since China proposed building a national park system in 2017, the establishment of a planning system for nature reserves, with national parks as the main body, is being actively promoted around the country. Among them, scientific ecological space management and control zoning (ESMCZ) is an important link in maintaining the ecological stability of national parks. How to zone national parks and how to improve the precision of zoning has become a new task for national parks. Therefore, this study takes the Giant Panda National Park as the study area, takes ecosystem services and land use/cover change as the research perspective, integrates the InVEST model, PLUS model and bayes belief network (BBN) model, and builds a set of ecological space management and control zoning (ESMCZ) spatial zoning framework based on raster scale, dividing the study area into strictly protected zone, ecological buffer zone, ecological control zone and controlled development zone. The results showed that: (1) The study area showed an increasing trend in water conservation, soil conservation and carbon storage from 2005 to 2020, and the habitat quality index was generally high. The spatial heterogeneity of ecosystem services in the study area was significant, and the effect of a single factor on ecosystem services was most pronounced. (2) Large variation in area for different land uses under natural development scenarios and ecological protection scenarios. In both scenarios, the area of cultivated land, the area of grassland and the area of unused land decrease relative to 2020, and the area of forested land, the area of water and the area of constructed land increase relative to 2020. (3) The Giant Panda National Park is divided into strictly protected zone, ecological buffer zone, ecological control zone and control development zone, of which the strictly protected zone have the largest area and the best ecosystem background condition, and the control development zone have the smallest area and the worst ecosystem background condition. (4) The ecological space management and control zoning (ESMCZ) framework provides a more refined method for the secondary zoning of nature reserves such as the Giant Panda National Park, which is valuable for the implementation of zoning and categorization management for ecological conservation in the Giant Panda National Park.

Enhancing Urban Sustainability and Resilience: Employing Digital Twin Technologies for Integrated WEFE Nexus Management to Achieve SDGs

This research explores the application of digital twin technologies to progress the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the water-energy-food-environment (WEFE) nexus management in urban refugee areas. The study in Irbid Camp utilizes a detailed 3D Revit model combined with real-time data and community insights processed through advanced machine learning algorithms. An examination of 450 qualitative interviews indicates an 80% knowledge level of water conservation practices among the community but only 35% satisfaction with the current management of resources. Predictive analytics forecast a 25% increase in water scarcity and an 18% surge in energy demand within the next ten years, prompting the deployment of sustainable solutions such as solar energy installations and enhanced rainwater collection systems. By simulating resource allocation and environmental impacts, the digital twin framework helps in planning urban development in line with SDGs 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). This investigation highlights the capacity of digital twin technology to improve resource management, increase community resilience, and support sustainable urban growth, suggesting its wider implementation in comparable environments.

Hedgerows enhance the size selectivity of eroded sediment from sloping farmland under simulated rainfall experiment

AbstractThe particle size distribution (PSD) of eroded sediment can effectively reflect changes in erosion processes. Hedgerows provide significant soil and water conservation benefits and influence erosion processes. However, the impact of hedgerows on the PSD of eroded sediment remains unclear. Therefore, three slope conditions (control check, CK; only hedgerow root, R; and whole hedgerow, P) involving the configuration of two slope gradients (15 and 25°) were established, and simulated rainfall experiments were conducted under three rainfall intensities (60, 90, and 120 mm/h). The PSD, sediment sorting process, and sediment particle agglomeration degree under the different slope conditions were compared to evaluate the influence of hedgerows on the size selectivity of eroded sediment during water erosion. Moreover, the direct and indirect effects of hedgerows on the sorting process and sediment particle agglomeration degree were revealed via correlation analysis and partial least squares path modelling (PLS–PM). Compared with those under CK slope conditions, the average clay, fine silt, and coarse silt contents under R slope conditions decreased by 1.37%, 0.06%, and 1.71%, respectively, whereas the sand content increased by 0.46%. Under P slope conditions, the average clay, fine silt, and coarse silt contents increased by 32.61%, 38.71%, and 36.14%, respectively, whereas the average sand content decreased by 47.30%. Under CK slope conditions, sediment sorting occurred primarily during the early stages of rainfall. R slope conditions caused an increase in the duration of early‐stage sediment sorting but caused a reduction in the degree of sorting, whereas P slope conditions exhibited interceptive sorting of sand throughout the rainfall event. Under R slope conditions, more aggregates were dispersed into individual particles due to raindrop impact, whereas under P slope conditions, more fine particles aggregated initially, but loose aggregates were dispersed into individual particles during the later rainfall stages. The enrichment rates of fine silt and coarse silt were positively correlated with slope conditions, whereas they were negatively correlated with the enrichment rate of sand. However, there was no significant relationship between the slope conditions and the aggregation rates of particles of various sizes. PLS–PM indicated that hedgerows directly and indirectly affect sorting processes and sediment particle agglomeration degree by regulating runoff and sediment erosion, and the direct effects exceed the indirect effects. These findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the influential mechanisms of hedgerows on controlling soil erosion.

Ship Lock Extraction from High-Resolution Remote Sensing Images Based on Fuzzy Theory and Prior Knowledge

As crucial water conservancy projects, ship locks play a key role in flood control, shipping, water resource allocation, and promoting regional economic development, making them an indispensable part of the modern water transportation system. Utilizing satellite remote sensing for lock extraction can significantly reduce manual workload and costs, assist in the daily dynamic maintenance of lock hubs, and provide more comprehensive data support for the construction and management of water transport infrastructure. In this context, this paper proposes a new method for ship lock object extraction. Leveraging fuzzy theory and prior knowledge of locks, the extraction of lock objects is achieved from Gaofen-1 (GF-1) high-resolution remote sensing images. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can effectively extract small lock objects in remote sensing images, achieving an average extraction accuracy of 80.9% in the study area.

Addressing more-than-human care through Yorùbá environmental ethics

This article presents more-than-human care ethics from a Yorùbá (African) perspective with a focus on water in Yorùbá belief. The view I develop in this article to show beyond human care, how nature cares for itself is encapsulated in the notion of ‘mutual courteousness’. The article demonstrates that this mutual courteousness approach engrained in Yorùbá ontology, epistemology, and axiology possesses a sound possibility for enabling the overhauling of our understanding of conservation towards seeing it as a more-than-human process. This shared ethics is fundamental because it helps us think about conservation, action, and virtues in a reciprocal spectrum beyond human caring. The paper argues that water conservation debates surrounding non-native ownership and management in Nigeria should not only be human or economically motivated but should present a holistic and sustainable approach to environmental interactions. Employing the method of philosophical analysis, this article explores the environmental ethics rooted in the Yorùbá culture of Southwestern Nigeria.

AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM USING ARDUINO

This report investigates the implementation and benefits of an Automatic Sprinkler System driven by the Arduino Uno microcontroller in agricultural irrigation. The primary aim is to elucidate the functionality and practicality of this automated system in enhancing water efficiency and crop productivity. Through accessible language and technical explanations, the report explores the system's design, operation, and integration with sensors for optimal performance. Emphasis is placed on the system's ability to provide precise watering, customizable scheduling, and water conservation, thereby addressing critical challenges in modern agriculture. By examining the technical aspects and real-world implications, this report underscores the transformative potential of automated irrigation systems in promoting sustainable farming practices.. Keyword: Arduino Uno, IoT, microcontroller, moisture sensor, sensors, wireless module

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

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

Real-Time Optimal Scheduling of a Water Diversion System Using an Improved Wolf-Pack Algorithm and Scheme Library

A water diversion system (WDS) with cascade pumping stations (CPSs) plays an important role in the application of water resources. However, high energy consumption is reported due to unreasonable scheduling schemes and long decision times. Herein, this paper presents a new method to achieve optimal scheduling schemes effectively, including the head allocation of CPSs, the number of running pumps, and pump blade angles. A double-layer mathematical model for a WDS was established with the goal of achieving minimal energy consumption, considering the constraints of flow rate, water level, and the characteristics of pump units. The inner-layer model was used to obtain scheduling schemes of single-stage pumping stations, as well as the water levels and flow rates of water channels, while the outer-layer model was used to optimize inter-stage head allocation. An improved wolf-pack algorithm (IWPA) was proposed to solve the model, using a Halton sequence to obtain the uniform initial population distribution and introducing simulated annealing (SA) to improve the global searchability. Moreover, an idea for a pre-established scheme library was suggested for inner-layer models to obtain the solutions in real time with less calculation workload. Taking an actual project as a case, in contrast with the actual schemes, the optimal scheduling method could result in energy savings of 14.37–20.39%, a CO2 emission reduction of 13–32 tons per day, and water savings of 0.14–18.34%. Moreover, the time complexity decreased to square order, and the CPU time of the optimal method was about 1% that of the traditional method. This study provides an efficient method for the high-value utilization of energy and water resources for a WDS.

Towards Sustainable Water Use in Two University Student Residences: A Case Study

This research is focused on the water usage patterns in two student residences—one for male students (Residence I) and the other for female students (Residence II). Surveys and measurements of flushing cisterns, taps, and shower flows were conducted to understand water use behaviors. Scenario 1 proposed replacing washbasin and kitchen taps and installing flow reducers in showers, while Scenario 2 combined Scenario 1 with a rainwater harvesting system for recharging flush cisterns. Showers were found to be the most water-consuming devices, accounting for 46% and 61.41% of water consumption in Residences I and II, respectively, followed by kitchen taps (31.51% in Residence I and 11.52% in Residence II). The flushing cistern consumption was 7.02% in Residence I and 13.22% in Residence II. The implementation of Scenario 1 anticipates a 13% reduction in total water consumption in Residence I and a 10% reduction in Residence II. The reduction in hot water consumption would result in a decrease in annual electricity consumption by 27.8% and 23.06% in Residence I and II, respectively. With the implementation of Scenario 2, the total potential water savings for Residence I could increase to 19.98%, and for Residence II, it could rise to 23.17%. The proposed measures aim to enhance water sustainability in these buildings and can be replicated elsewhere.

Trade-Off and Synergy Relationships and Driving Factor Analysis of Ecosystem Services in the Hexi Region

The Hexi region, located in a sensitive and fragile ecological zone in northwest China, requires a scientific assessment of ecosystem services and their interactions. Identifying the main factors influencing spatial distribution is crucial for the sustainable development and effective management of the region. This study evaluates key ecosystem services, including regulating services (water conservation, soil conservation, carbon storage) and provisioning services (NPP), using Spearman’s correlation and pixel-by-pixel spatial analysis to calculate spatial trade-offs and synergies. Geographic detectors were used to uncover the underlying driving mechanisms. The results show that: (1) From 2000 to 2020, soil conservation, NPP, and carbon storage showed fluctuating growth, while water conservation declined. Spatially, high-value areas of water conservation, carbon storage, and NPP were concentrated in the central and southern areas, while high values of soil conservation services were mainly in the northwest and southeast regions. (2) The trade-offs and synergies among various ecosystem services exhibit temporal shifts, along with spatial scale effects and heterogeneity. In the study area, the proportion of pixels showing a trade-off relationship between water conservation and soil conservation, and between water conservation and NPP, accounts for 48.21% and 21.42%, respectively. These trade-offs are mainly concentrated in the central and southeastern regions, while the northwestern counties predominantly exhibit synergies. (3) Precipitation was the dominant factor for water conservation, carbon storage, and NPP, as well as for the trade-offs among these services. Among natural factors, climatic factors were significantly more influential than socio-economic factors, and the interaction between two factors had a greater explanatory power than single factors.

Construction Design of Slope Support Engineering in Water Conservancy and Hydropower Project

Slope support engineering is an important part of water conservancy and hydropower engineering, and its construction design plays a vital role in the safety and stability of the project. With the continuous development of water conservancy and hydropower project construction in China, the requirements for the construction design of slope support engineering are becoming higher and higher. Therefore, it is of great significance to deeply study and discuss the construction design of slope support engineering to improve the quality of the project and ensure the safety of the project. This paper mainly analyzes the construction design of slope support engineering in water conservancy and hydropower projects.

On the Construction Safety Control of Water Conservancy and Hydropower Projects

Water conservancy and hydropower project, as the core part of national infrastructure, has always carried the heavy responsibility of national economic development. With the progress of society and the rapid change of science and technology, water conservancy and hydropower projects have achieved unprecedented development in scale and technology. However, in this development trend, we have to face up to a crucial issue construction safety. Construction safety is not only directly related to the life safety of the construction personnel, but also related to the progress and quality of the whole project, and even affect the stability of the surrounding environment and the society. This paper aims to discuss the importance of construction safety control by analyzing the safety risks of water conservancy and hydropower project construction, and put forward a series of feasible control measures.

Analysis on Grouting Construction Technology and Quality Management Countermeasures of Water Conservancy and Hydropower Project

Based on the industry background, this paper comprehensively discusses the application points and quality management countermeasures of grouting construction technology in water conservancy and hydropower engineering. The key links of grouting construction technology are expounded, including the selection of grouting materials, optimization of drilling construction technology, reasonable selection of grouting method and scientific arrangement of grouting order. In view of the weak links in the quality management of grouting construction, the countermeasures and measures such as strengthening the audit of construction drawings, constructing the whole-process quality control system, strict quality acceptance standards, and strengthening the professional training of construction personnel are put forward. Through the fine application of grouting construction technology and the comprehensive optimization of quality management, the overall construction level and comprehensive benefits of water conservancy and hydropower projects can be effectively improved.

Drought Awareness over Continental United States

Understanding the relationship between droughts and drought awareness is vital towards decision making and policy for water management and conservation strategies, and socioeconomic outcomes. We used computer vision (UNet models) to analyze nonlinear, heterogeneous, lagged correlations between Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) and Google Trends Search Interest within the Continental United States (CONUS). The most important drivers of the relationship between drought occurrence and drought awareness are the variability and ranges of drought trends and severity, as well as extreme drought conditions. This relationship was the strongest for Western states, followed by Northeastern, Southeastern, and Central regions. Search interest tends to lag droughts by a period of̃1-3 months. We also found evidence that reductionist linear approaches, such as a Principal Component Analysis, might not be as effective as UNet models in capturing the nuanced relationship between droughts and drought awareness at various dimensions and scales.

Community-Based Resilience Analysis (CoBRA) to Hazard Disruption: Case Study of a Peri-Urban Agricultural Community in Thailand

The expansion of cities and land use changes have led to the emergence of peri-urban areas representing a transition between fully urbanized and agricultural regions in Southeast Asia. Peri-urban communities provide essential ecosystem services but are vulnerable to climate-related disruptions and socioeconomic challenges. Utilizing their unique characteristics, peri-urban communities can contribute to sustainable development and resilience. This study assesses the potential of peri-urban areas to meet future challenges for sustainable development in a changing world, focusing on the local pandan farming community of Pathum Thani, approximately 53 km north of Bangkok, using the Community-Based Resilience Analysis (CoBRA) approach. A formally established group of peri-urban farming households identified COVID-19, water quality, and solid waste as their primary disruptive challenges. The community identified economic stability and resources (land ownership, financial security, and government support), community and social support (collaborative community, and healthcare facilities), an environmental dimension (sufficient food and clean water), and an information dimension (news and knowledge update) as key community resilience characteristics, which highlight their comprehensive approach to hazard resilience. The study concludes that the community was moderately resilient to hazards and COVID-19 was the primary disrupting event over the past 10 years. To address future challenges in peri-urban agriculture, it is suggested to focus on enhancing economic diversification, strengthening social networks and support systems, implementing sustainable land management practices, and promoting access to timely and accurate information. Additionally, investing in infrastructure for water management and waste recycling, supporting small-scale farming initiatives, and fostering collaboration between farmers and local authorities can contribute to building resilience in peri-urban agricultural communities.

An experimental investigation of dispersive soils treated by microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP)

Dispersive soils are frequently employed as construction materials in projects such as drains and dams in western Jilin, China. However, their propensity to disperse upon contact with water presents a grave threat to construction projects if left unaddressed. Therefore, following the identification of the fundamental physical and chemical properties, as well as the dispersivity of soils in the western region of Jilin Province, Sporosarcina pasteurii was chosen to conduct laboratory experiments and mechanistic studies aimed at improving dispersive soils in the area through MICP. The treatment effect of the soil samples was quantitatively assessed through tests including comprehensive dispersivity identification, unconfined compressive strength (UCS) measurement, and determination of calcium carbonate content. Furthermore, scanning electron microscope (SEM) tests were conducted to examine the microstructural alterations of the soil samples before and after microbial treatment. The experimental results showed that soil dispersion can be significantly reduced under various conditions, and increase the soil strength under certain condition. MICP facilitates the replacement of exchangeable Na+ in soil and induces the formation of calcium carbonate, which fills pores and acts as a cementing agent. Treating dispersive soil in western Jilin is crucial to ensuring the safe and normal operation of its water conservancy projects.

Analysis of the Impact of Climate Change on the Safety of Water Conservancy Facilities

This study analyzes the impact of climate change on the safety of water conservancy facilities, focusing on dams, levees, reservoirs, and water supply systems. Climate change induces increased flood risks, more frequent droughts, sea level rise, and extreme weather events, which challenge the integrity and functionality of these infrastructures. The research highlights the need for resilient designs, advanced technologies, and improved management practices to mitigate these impacts. By adopting flexible design standards, utilizing innovative materials, and enhancing emergency response plans, water conservancy facilities can better withstand climate-related stresses, ensuring water security and sustainability.