Water-rich Country Research Articles

A quantification and analysis of historical sectoral and regional water withdrawals in Canada

Canada is a water rich country with one of the highest annual water uses per person among developed countries. This study provides a systematic, comprehensive analysis of recent data on this water use at national and subnational scales. It spatially disaggregates surveyed data from Statistics Canada (StatCan) to develop a historical dataset from 2005-2018 for Canadian water withdrawals at provincial and river basin scales for seven water use sectors: domestic use, manufacturing, irrigation, livestock, mining, oil and gas and thermal power generation. Additionally, sectoral water withdrawals are estimated for each province-river basin combination. Sectoral priorities are analyzed at the provincial and river basin scales and historical trends are identified. Water use intensity indicators are calculated and compared between different provinces, and a water stress index is used to identify regions most prone to water shortages. We find that water use decreased nationally over the study years for all sectors except irrigation, mining and oil and gas. Ontario had the highest water use of all provinces, mainly for thermal power generation. Manufacturing and domestic sectors were the dominant users in Quebec and British Columbia while the Prairies had more diversified uses. Domestic water use per capita values in Newfoundland & Labrador and Quebec are higher than the national average and all global values included in the study for comparison. Finally, the irrigation sector withdraws the most water per $GDP nationally while the oil and gas sector withdraws the least. Dataset development faced challenges related to data availability and uncertainties in downscaling assumptions. These challenges are described, and emphasize the need for a systematic and standardized approach to water data gathering and sharing in Canada.

Water Sources Inventory, Annotated Checklist, and Distribution of Water Sources Under Gelephu, Samtenling, and Dekiling Gewog in Sarpang District, Bhutan

The Kingdom of Bhutan is endowed with abundant water resources. However, owing to rugged topography and associated climatic variations, accessibility remains a major challenge with communities facing seasonal and local scarcity of water. Generally, freshwater appears in the form of glaciers, lakes, wetlands, marshes, springs, and streams which support diverse life and livelihood. However, comprehensive inventories of water resources seem lacking in a water-rich country like Bhutan. Thus, water sources inventory was carried out using Focus Group Discussion and semi-structured questionnaires survey with 81 households (27 villages) from three highly populated gewog under Sarpang district in 2016 and collected the geo-coordinates (location) of each water source using Garmin GPS. The survey recorded a total of 104 perennial water sources from three gewogs under the district. Among the three gewogs, Samtenling and Dekiling have the highest water sources (n = 40) and Gelephu has the lowest (n = 24). While, in the case of source types, Samtenling gewog has the highest (n = 29), followed by Gelephu (n = 18) and Dekiling has the lowest (n = 14). Likewise, Dekiling has the highest number of streams (n = 24), followed by Samtenling (n = 9) and the lowest was Gelephu (n = 6). Therefore, periodic monitor of existing water sources, strengthening water governance, and adaptation of an integrated watershed management plan backed with detailed hydro-geological assessment covering entire watersheds are suggested for ensuring sustainable management of water sources, but also mitigates the climate change effects of these regions in the future.

Strategic threats to water security in Russia: interconnection of water security, risks and economic growth

The stability of the economy of the Russian Federation depends on the availability of water resources. In the main, statistical information shows that Russia is the most water-rich country. However, at the national and local levels, the lack of readily available freshwater in the regions of Russia has proved to be a key risk, and water scarcity has threatened economic growth in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Population growth and urbanization, climate change, destruction of forest ecosystems, pollution of water resources and an increase in dangerous hydrometeorological phenomena are strategic threats to Russia’s sustainable economic growth. The article analyzed water-related risks affecting the sustainable use of water resources in the Russian Federation and, consequently, economic growth. The results of the study are of practical importance in the development of strategies for sustainable water management and for the development of a methodology for the economic assessment of water-related risks.

Adaptation: A Vital Priority for Sustainable Water Resources Management

Sustainability in terms of water management implies the study of all interrelated parameters (social, environmental, economic, engineering and political) in a comprehensive way. Although Greece is presented in the international rankings as a water-rich country, it has significant water problems due to its high temporal and spatial distribution of water resources and its unsustainable management practices characterized by a fragmented and sector-oriented water management system. This problem has been significantly improved by the adoption of the EU WFD and the development of management plans at the river basin scale. Nevertheless, because of the climate change effects, there is still a long way to go, and radical changes are needed in order to reach sustainability. Adaptation is a vital response toward sustainability. The Mygdonia agricultural basin is a case study of a highly negative water balance system that highlights the shortcomings of both water management and adaptation in Greece. Analysis of the hydrology of the basin, as well as the climate projections until 2100, revealed the urgent need for concerted action. A set of different development adaptation strategies was applied and assessed concerning their effectiveness. According to the outputs of this research, integrated watershed management is a prerequisite for a successful adaptation policy. Radical reform is needed in the agricultural sector by decreasing the agricultural land and changing crops. Demand management is the solution rather than focusing on supply options.

Wasserverbrauch privater Haushalte in Deutschland: Eine empirische Mikroanalyse

Abstract Germany is a rather water-rich country. Nevertheless, climatic changes might make it necessary to use water resources carefully in the future, especially in times of drought. Against this background, this paper estimates the price elasticity of household water consumption, differentiating between households that have a rough knowledge of water prices and households that do not. Based on about 1,100 observations for households living in single-family houses and using the sum of cubic meter prices for water and wastewater as price measure, we find a moderate but statistically significantly non-zero price elasticity of -0.102. Households that have knowledge of water prices tend to exhibit a higher elasticity, while households without price knowledge do not show a statistically significant response in their water consumption. Prices can thus only be used to a limited extent as a means of controlling water consumption.

Estimating Future Peak Water Demand with a Regression Model Considering Climate Indices

Although Austria is a water-rich country, impacts of climate change on water supply are already noticeable. Some regions were affected by water scarcity in recent years. Due to climate change, an increase in peak water demand is expected in the future. Therefore, water demand prediction models that include climate indices are of interest. In this paper, we present a general multiple linear regression (GMLR) model that can be applied to selected study sites. We compared the performance of the GMLR model with different modeling approaches, i.e., stepwise multiple linear regression, support vector regression, random forest regression and a neural network approach. All models were trained with water demand and weather data reaching back several years and tested with the last available observation year. The applied modeling approaches achieved a similar performance. As a second step, the GMLR model was used to estimate the peak water demands for the time period 2025–2050. For the future water demand estimate, 16 different climate projections were used. These climate projections represent the worst-case climate change scenario (RCP 8.5). The expected increase in peak water demand could be confirmed with the modeling approach. An increase in peak water demand by 3.5% compared to the reference period was estimated.

Food waste-water-energy nexus: Scrutinising sustainability of biodiesel production from sunflower oil consumption wastes in Turkey till 2030

Abstract Many believe that Turkey is a water rich country but in reality it is a water-stressed country. Yet, majority of fresh water resources in Turkey is being polluted via uncontrolled discharge of sunflower oil consumption wastes into drains. This major problem has long been overlooked by the authorities and public. As a result, this study is intended to show the colossal water pollution potential of this problem and also provide a solution via estimating the feasibility of biodiesel production from sunflower oil consumption wastes till 2030. In this study, semi-empirical models are generated based on fundamental chemical engineering material balance principles and using well respected OECD, FAO and national food waste generation forecasts. Three scenarios are adopted to show low (2.0%), business as usual (4.0%) and high demand growth (6.0%) in sunflower oil consumption per capita per annum. It is estimated that in 2030 Turkey’s sunflower oil consumption, associated waste generation and biodiesel production potentials can reach up to 2.610 million tonnes, 275,000 tonnes, and 0.310 million m3, respectively. More importantly it has been found that Turkey’s sunflower oil consumption wastes can pollute up to 7.4 billion m 3 of fresh water in 2030, which is more than water utilisation by all municipalities in Turkey in 2016 (nearly 5.8 billion m3). As a result, this study clearly showed that there is a vast potential for water pollution prevention and economic return generation via biodiesel production from sunflower oil consumption wastes in Turkey.

Water crises in a water-rich country: case studies from rural watersheds of Nepal's mid-hills

Abstract The main objective of this paper is to assess the water crisis in Nepal by conducting a series of case studies in rural watersheds in the mid-hills. This was achieved through the applied qualitative method, especially combinations of desk study/structured searches, consultation, and field observation. The ground survey revealed that most of the rural communities in the mid-hills have an unreliable water supply. According to the local stakeholders, 20–25% of water resources have dried up as compared to 20 years ago. Drying up of water resources disproportionately affects women and girls in rural areas as women are responsible for household chores, including fetching drinking water. The findings also revealed that low-income households bear a disproportionate coping burden as compared to elite groups, as they often engage in coping strategies such as collecting water from distant water sources, which is labor- and time-intensive, and also yields smaller quantities of water. Assuming that unreliable water supplies will continue to exist in rural areas of the mid-hills for the foreseeable future, there is a critical need to consider which, if any, coping strategies will be most effective in ensuring that poor households will have access to safe and sufficient water supply.

Water as theme in the Hungarian educational system

There is no life without water on the Earth. With the climate change the water cycle will also change. Some regions will be affected seriously. Although Hungary is a water rich country, we have to be aware of our water resources, as most of them is not renewable. Facing to the global warming we recognized the anomalies in the precipitation of the last decades. As, a geography teacher we have several themes during our course in which we can speak about water related problems. But we must prepare and sensitize our student regarding their water usage. Water will be more precious in the closer future. We examined how the water appears in the thematic lessons during the Hungarian geography courses from the elementary to university level. We found a lot of themes in which we can introduce them to become environmentally conscious. Regarding water related problem we found that water footprint is a good tool to involve our students into challenges. On its website www.waterfootprint.org, where is a lot of educational tool as well. Our pupils found it very interesting and useful.

Benefits of Coordinated Water Resource System Planning in the Cauca-Magdalena River Basin

The Magdalena watershed in Colombia is the most densely populated and economically important region in the country. While Colombia is generally classified as a water-rich country, it is expected that water shortages will occur in the future without adequate planning and investments in water management infrastructures. Currently, even though all instruments required for an integrated water resource management are present in Colombia, they are employed independently from each other and thus not very efficient. To estimate the potential benefits of a more coordinated water management planning, especially in consideration of projected changes in water availability and demand in the near future, we developed a constrained welfare maximization model of the watershed (CAMARI). We ran the model with three different scenarios of future water availability, based on RCPs 2.6, 4.5 and 6.0, and with two planning modes: coordinated and uncoordinated. The results show that a coordinated planning of investments in water management infrastructures increases welfare by 2–18% over the next century in the Magdalena river basin, which corresponds to average annual savings from US$ 610 million to US$ 6.4 billion. Benefits increase as water availability decreases. Our results also show that water demand from the agricultural sector is projected to rise in future, which further underlines the necessity for robust governance mechanisms to keep conflicts between sectors to a minimum.

System Dynamics Based Model for the Nachchaduwa Reservoir in the Malwathu Oya Basin, Sri Lanka

Though Sri Lanka is a water rich country where many water resources development projects have been implemented, the country still very often faces many issues due to water scarcity. By improving the management of existing water resources development projects such issues could be addressed. The irrigation area coming under the Nachchaduwa Reservoir Scheme in the Malwathu Oya Basin has encountered severe water scarcities in the recent past. This paper presents a system dynamics based simulation model that will help in making decisions for managing the Nachchaduwa Reservoir for fulfilling the water requirements of its irrigation area. The model was developed using system dynamics concepts and the software used was Vensim Professional. The advantage of system dynamics modelling is its ability to model many different sectors such as water quantity, population, agriculture and economy using one single model making it possible to look at all sectors using the same model . The model developed for the Nachchaduwa Reservoir System comprised of the above sectors and was used to investigate several optional operation patterns of the system. Four different operational patterns were considered based on crop types and cropping areas. Initially, the developed model was tested for its applicability and thereafter it was used to determine the most suitable cropping pattern. The results indicate that the patterns consisting of 100% paddy during the Maha Season and 50% paddy and 50% maize during the Yala Season as the most suitable cropping patterns for the two seasons. The model also showed that the temporary increase in the population by the pilgrims and tourists visiting the area during festive seasons affects the amount of water available for crops.

Challenges to Water Security along the “Emerald Coast”: A Political Ecology of Local Water Governance in Nicaragua

Despite being a water-rich country, Nicaragua struggles to secure clean water access for many of its residents. In addition to distributional and water quality issues, a prolonged drought affecting all regions of the country has compounded preexisting governance challenges to ensuring rural water needs. This article focuses on a rural community along the southwest Pacific Coast of Tola, Nicaragua, where tourism development and drought converge to produce and exacerbate water insecurity. This article examines this water insecurity in the context of two recent national water laws in Nicaragua (passed in 2007 and 2010 respectively) that sought to provide a more comprehensive legal framework for freshwater water governance. Drawing upon semi-structured interviews and groundwater and meteorological data, we contend that water laws have not effectively mediated the hydrological effects of prolonged drought and tourism development, resulting in pronounced water insecurity for local populations in Tola. We cast the findings of this research as relevant to other water insecure areas in Latin America where industry development and weak policy implementation impact the creation and resolution of local water security—including insecurity compounded by increased climatic variability.

Willingness to Pay Additional Water Rate and Irrigation Knowledge of Farmers in Dinar Karakuyu Irrigation Areas in Turkey

Water which has become commodity product which is an important product today. Turkey is not a water rich country. In this study, agricultural enterprises in the field of Irrigation Project in Dinar Karakuyu which was implemented in 1992 by DSI. The study analysed which factors affect the willingness to pay additional irrigation water rate with the help of logit model and the irrigation knowledge of farmers was determined by Likert scale. Dinar Karakuyu irrigation network has begun to lose the function in the region. It was supposed 100% irrigation rate but decreased by approximately 9% today. In this context, DSI (General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works) plans to rehabilitation work in the same area. The main material of this study was data obtained from 67 agricultural enterprises through a survey covered by the Irrigation Rehabilitation Project in the province of Afyonkarahisar Karakuyu Dinar. The data was gathered with the help of questionnaires which were answered by farmers in Karakuyu Dinar region. The results indicated that 74.6% of farmers were willingness to pay additional water charge. The data were statistically analysed with the use of the logit model. The model results show that agricultural income, farmers‘ educational level, computer ownership, attendance of agricultural training activities, family size and agricultural experience were positive factors affect farmers‘ willingness to pay additional water fee.

Application of coastal reservoirs in China and its feasibility

China is a water-rich country in terms of rainfall and rivers size, but its urbanization mainly occurs in the eastern coastal cities. The densely populated coastal cities intensify the water stress. To seal the gap between water demand and supply, many ways have been tested like water diversion projects, desalination plants and wastewater recycling plants etc. Different from these solutions, this paper discusses the strategy of coastal reservoirs in China’s coastal cities. Its feasibility of using the available water is investigated and its water quality can be ensured if the 2nd generation coastal reservoirs are applied. The results show that the water shortage problems in China coastal cities can be well solved if CRs are applied.

Groundwater–surface water interactions in Canada

Canada is a water-rich country. Its rivers and lakes comprise 7% of the global annually renewable surface fresh water supply (Rivera 2014). Although it is very difficult to quantify available groun...

Proximity of waterways to Finnish farmlands and associated characteristics of regional land use

High latitude agriculture is rainfed. Climate change could, however, increase water deficiency and initiate a call for development of irrigation systems as a part of field water management systems. This study aimed to develop a basic understanding about the current state of irrigation potential according to region by monitoring proximity of fields to waterways and characterizing their general conditions. One third of Finnish fields are in direct contact with a shoreline of an inland waterway. This coupled with Finland being water-rich country may improve adaptive capacity to cope with the potentially harmful impacts of climate change in the future. However, there are marked differences between regions in access to water resources. Findings of this survey will serve as background information needed to assess future needs for introduction of irrigation and to evaluate the opportunities to close yield gaps and improve yield stability through irrigation.

An Analysis of Grey Water Treatment System in the National University of Malaysia Mosque

This paper is trying to analysis and proposes some design of grey water system in The National University of Malaysia (UKM) mosque in order to save environment. With proper grey water treatment, UKM Mosque will contribute to save water and UKM’s environment. This successful water treatment is also can be an alternative model to apply in another building. This environmental issue, especially water was realized by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) by starting to be a first pioneer in Green & Sustainability Campus in Malaysia. Although UKM is located in water-rich country, still UKM try to commit to save environment as well as manage its environment aspect. The usage of water in UKM itself is categorized in high level. UKM have around 20.000 students and most of them are dwelling in campus. For big campus like this, UKM had one main Mosque which accommodates some daily worship of Moslem as the majority one. For activities like ablution, washing and bathing, UKM Mosque had produce quite big amount of grey water. Grey water itself is residual water that still fresh and can be recycled for some purposes such as landscape irrigation and cleaning service. One alternative method to treats the grey water is by the usage of filter wells.

GREYWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM IN UNIVERSITI KEBANGSAAN MALAYSIA MOSQUE: UTILIZING FILTER WELLS AS AN ALTERNATIVE SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION

<p>Water is one of the natural resources that support entire creature’s needs in earth. It was also a key element of sustainable living. The important of water is proved by fact that human body were consists of 80% water which makes daily water needs is definitely important. Same thing was happen on earth which also consists of 71 % water. Unfortunately, nowadays qualities as well as quantities of water is getting poor caused many environmental decline. Those situation is feel quite irony, first is because in one side human are depending on water badly, and in another side, qualities and quantities water have been decreasing because of their own. This environmental issue, especially water was realized by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) by starting to be a first pioneer in Green & Sustainability Campus in Malaysia. Although UKM is located in water-rich country, still UKM try to commit to save environment as well as manage its environment aspect. The usage of water in UKM itself is categorized in high level. UKM have around 20.000 students and most of them are dwelling in campus. For big campus like this, UKM had one main Mosque which accommodates some daily worship of Moslem as the majority one. For activities like ablution, washing and bathing, UKM Mosque had produce quite big amount of grey water. Grey water itself is residual water that still fresh and can be recycled for some purposes such as landscape irrigation and cleaning service. One alternative method to treats the grey water is by the usage of filter wells. This paper is trying to analysis and proposes some design of grey water system in UKM mosque in order to save environment. With proper grey water treatment, UKM Mosque will contribute to save water and UKM’s environment. This successful water treatment is also can be an alternative model to apply in another building.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong></strong><em></em></p>

Socio-hydrology and the science–policy interface: a case study of the Saskatchewan River basin

Abstract. While there is a popular perception that Canada is a water-rich country, the Saskatchewan River basin (SRB) in Western Canada exemplifies the multiple threats to water security seen worldwide. It is Canada's major food-producing region and home to globally significant natural resource development. The SRB faces current water challenges stemming from (1) a series of extreme events, including major flood and drought events since the turn of the 21st century, (2) full allocation of existing water resources in parts of the basin, (3) rapid population growth and economic development, (4) increasing pollution, and (5) fragmented and overlapping governance that includes the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, various Federal and First Nations responsibilities, and international boundaries. The interplay of these factors has increased competition for water across economic sectors and among provinces, between upstream and downstream users, between environmental flows and human needs, and among people who hold different values about the meaning, ownership, and use of water. These current challenges are set in a context of significant environmental and societal change, including widespread land modification, rapid urbanization, resource exploitation, climate warming, and deep uncertainties about future water supplies. We use Sivapalan et al.'s (2012) framework of socio-hydrology to argue that the SRB's water security challenges are symptoms of dynamic and complex water systems approaching critical thresholds and tipping points. To Sivapalan et al.'s (2012) emphasis on water cycle dynamics, we add the need for governance mechanisms to manage emergent systems and translational science to link science and policy to the socio-hydrology agenda.

Agricultural water reuse in Nicaragua: extent, actual practices, perception and perspectives

Data on the extent of water reuse, its characteristics and social perception is scarce, notably for developing countries. To characterize reuse in Nicaragua, a water-rich country, use of effluents from 22 wastewater treatment plants was surveyed on-site, in combination with a literature review and surveys of government institutions, water utilities and farmers. It was found that 50% of the effluents were reused unplanned for agricultural irrigation on 247.25 ha of land. This is a 58% increase over an estimate made in 2002. The main crops irrigated were bananas, tobacco and fodder. Reuse was welcomed by farmers because it increased their income by 1.9 times. Farmers felt that government should set up programmes to control water reuse to make the practice more reliable and to increase access to treated wastewater. For water utilities, reuse was of interest as there are currently no funds available to treat wastewater to a tertiary level to control the eutrophication of surface water or to properly disinfect the effluents to meet national standards. Our results led the government institutions to consider reuse as an interesting option to control eutrophication and to improve livelihoods for farmers, provided the procedures for application of the treated wastewater are improved.