Water Security Research Articles

Government crisis communication tools in the light of the extreme drought of 2022

Aim: The purpose of this study is to investigate the communication of the drought (water crisis) of 2022. As water is a vital element, the alpha and omega of survival, the authors should expect the emergence of existential anxieties during related crises that may result in messages being ignored. This makes the communication of the responsible public authority even more difficult. The authors’ aim to make forward-looking recommendations for water professionals in the face of future water crises. Methodology: In order to help develop more effective crisis communication the authors analysed the National Directorate General for Water Management’s communications before, during and after the crisis (using the method of media monitoring and analysis) and carried out the evaluation based on their own criteria, which were compiled on the basis of the literature. They conclude their summary findings by making recommendations. Findings: In their opinion, although the communication of the OVF has been characterised by a rapid and accurate flow of information, the role of social responsibility should be strengthened in the future. The proportion of textual and visual content and the choice of publication channels should be reconsidered. Value: Due to the acceleration of the hydrological cycle, it is likely that in the future humanity will have to prepare for more intense periods of extreme water scarcity. According to satellite gravimetric measurements, the water security of the Carpathian Basin is changing in a negative direction. The authors’ results underline that the emerging climate crisis opens up new dimensions in governmental/authority crisis communication, both in terms of preparedness and response.

A kormányzati kríziskommunikáció eszközei a 2022. évi rendkívüli aszály tükrében

Aim: The purpose of this study is to investigate the communication of the drought (water crisis) of 2022. As water is a vital element, the alpha and omega of survival, the authors should expect the emergence of existential anxieties during related crises that may result in messages being ignored. This makes the communication of the responsible public authority even more difficult. The authors’ aim to make forward-looking recommendations for water professionals in the face of future water crises. Methodology: In order to help develop more effective crisis communication the authors analysed the National Directorate General for Water Management’s communications before, during and after the crisis (using the method of media monitoring and analysis) and carried out the evaluation based on their own criteria, which were compiled on the basis of the literature. They conclude their summary findings by making recommendations. Findings: In their opinion, although the communication of the OVF has been characterised by a rapid and accurate flow of information, the role of social responsibility should be strengthened in the future. The proportion of textual and visual content and the choice of publication channels should be reconsidered. Value: Due to the acceleration of the hydrological cycle, it is likely that in the future humanity will have to prepare for more intense periods of extreme water scarcity. According to satellite gravimetric measurements, the water security of the Carpathian Basin is changing in a negative direction. The authors’ results underline that the emerging climate crisis opens up new dimensions in governmental/authority crisis communication, both in terms of preparedness and response.

Local Water Security

Local Water Security

The Influence Of Work Culture, Employee Commitment And Performance Appraisal On Job Satisfaction PT. Air Minum Giri Menang (Perseroda) Mataram City - NTB

Comprehensive, integrated and sustainable management of water resources plays an important role in creating national water security, including meeting the basic needs of clean water for the community. PT Air Minum Giri Menang (Perseroda) in Mataram, NTB, as one of the water resources managers, faces challenges in improving employee job satisfaction, which has an impact on the quality of public services. This study aims to analyze the influence of work culture, employee commitment, and performance appraisal on employee job satisfaction of PT Air Minum Giri Menang (Perseroda) in Mataram City, NTB. This research uses quantitative methods with explanatory research type. The research population included all permanent employees of PT Air Minum Giri Menang (Perseroda) totaling 179 people, with a sample of 45 permanent employees selected based on a certain percentage. The data analysis techniques used include classical assumption tests, multiple linear regression tests, and hypothesis testing. The results showed that the variables of work culture, employee commitment, and performance appraisal were normally distributed and suitable for analysis using multiple linear regression. This study found that the three variables have a significant influence on employee job satisfaction.

Ecosystem and human water security trade-offs in a context of climate change in South East Queensland Region, Australia

ABSTRACT Globally, there is an increasing trade-off between efforts to attain human water security and minimise ecosystem threats. Poorly planned efforts to meet current human water demands may jeopardise the ecological integrity of the river basins and may put future water security at risk. This article assesses the trade-offs between the future human and ecosystem water security threats in the South East Queensland Region, Australia. The article evaluates future water security threats based on a set of water and ecosystem services-related indicators and an ensemble of all climate change scenarios and models on water flow. It predicts the hotspots with higher human water security and ecosystem threats in 2040. The article finds that 52.1 per cent of the region may be affected in 2040 with either higher human water security risk or ecosystem services risk and, in some cases, with both. The challenge of managing the trade-offs is complex in regions with higher economic activities, which cover 16.3 per cent of the region. The research recommends that mitigation measures that address human water provision and nature conservation will need to be balanced and put at the same level of importance in these regions that are more affected.

Food, energy, and water security sustainability; an asymmetric approach for achieving sustainable development goals

AbstractThe world has arguably identified both output and population growth over time. Thus, the demand for agricultural commodities such as biofuels and the prominent challenges associated with sustainable land use, water, and food development all play a significant role in the development process, as all countries strive to achieve the use of different approaches, such as convergence in output per capita, energy use, water availability, and food production, more safely and ecologically. Therefore, this study is led by Access and Neo-Malthusian theories to investigate the effects of food, energy, and water security sustainability for achieving sustainable development goals using annual data covering 1980 to 2020 to estimate the asymmetric autoregressive distributive lag approach. Accordingly, the results revealed that the effects of positive changes in food, energy, and water security on sustainable development differ significantly from those of negative changes. A 1% change in food production, water supply development, or industrial value addition has a significant positive impact on sustainable development; however, a 1% change in energy use and carbon emission, population growth, or depletion of natural resources has substantial adverse effects on sustainable economic development in both the short run and the long run in Nigeria. The findings also revealed that restoring equilibrium convergence to achieve 2030 SDGs requires 16.2% each year. The study recommends adopting innovative systems that control and help manage available human and natural resources in productive sectors and increase value-added and renewable energy production in Nigeria.

MCM-41 based dispersive micro-solid phase extraction of selected cephalosporin antibiotic residues from water samples prior to liquid chromatographic quantification

The occurrence of antibiotics in water bodies is of concern owing to the serious risk they pose to the environment, water security, aquatic organisms, and human health. In this study, mesoporous silica (MCM-41) nanostructured material was synthesised and characterized by various analytical techniques to determine its morphology and dimension, functional groups, surface charge, and textural properties. The nanostructured MCM-41 was used as an adsorbent in ultrasound-assisted dispersive micro solid-phase extraction (UA-D-µ-SPE) of cefadroxil (CFDX) and cephalexin (CPLX) in water samples. The concentration of the analytes in aqueous solution and real water samples was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD). The developed method for CFDX and CPLX in various water samples exhibited relative linear ranges of 0.1–600 µg/L and 0.1–550 µg/L, respectively, and correlation coefficients ranging from 0.9923–0.9993. Under optimum condition, the UA-D-µ-SPE/HPLC-DAD method displayed low limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ), with values ranging from 0.02–0.16 µg/L and 0.067–0.53 µg/L, respectively. The investigated intraday and interday accuracy in spiked water samples showed acceptable extraction efficiencies with a range of 73.5–98.1% and a relative standard deviation less than 6.0%. Moreover, the performance of MCM-41 was also assessed for the removal of cephalosporin antibiotics aqueous solutions. The kinetic and isotherm studies revealed that the adsorption process followed pseudo-second order and the Langmuir model, respectively. Furthermore, the maximum adsorption capacities for CFDX and CPLX were 43.2 and 47.8 mg/g. Lastly, the UA-D-µ-SPE/HPLC-DAD method was successfully applied in extracting, preconcentrating, separating and determining CFDX and CPLX in wastewater and surface water samples. These results demonstrated that MCM-41 can be applied in the removal of cephalosporin antibiotics from aquatic environments.

A growing concern: investigating sustainable water quality and urban food production in Freetown, Sierra Leone

ABSTRACT Clean water and food security are central to sustainable urban living. Yet, in rapidly expanding African cities, they remain unobtainable for many and a barrier to the health and wellbeing of millions of people. In Freetown, Sierra Leone, a city that has experienced rapid in-migration in recent decades, urban food security has become a major concern. One critical response has been the proliferation of urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) to support food security and income generation for the poor. However, UPA sites are often exposed to a range of pollutants. This paper examines the environmental health status of three different UPA sites in Freetown. Qualitative and quantitative data show heavy metal concentrations that significantly exceed regulatory limits in crop (sweet potato) leaves and arable soil. Soaring readings of faecal coliform bacteria were observed in water used for irrigation, corroborating health-related findings which demonstrate a direct relationship between water supply, handwashing and diarrhoea. Elevated nutrient concentrations were also observed in surface water during the rainy season. Ultimately, crops were revealed to be hyperaccumulators for environmental contaminants, highlighting both the challenges and potential for nature-based solutions to strengthen food security and public health at UPA sites in Freetown and other growing cities.

Examining Socio-environmental Impacts of Illegal Gold Panning in Gwanda District, Matabeleland South, Zimbabwe

Illegal gold panning has become a significant socio-environmental challenge in Gwanda District, Matabeleland South, Zimbabwe. The study objectives are to examine the socio-environmental impacts of illegal gold panning activities, focusing on the detrimental effects on the natural environment, local communities, and the overall socio-environmental structure of the district as well as to evaluate the strategies implemented to regulate or mitigate illegal gold panning in Gwanda District and assess their effectiveness. The research is guided by the understanding that while illegal gold panning provides livelihood opportunities to many rural residents due to high unemployment and poverty rates, it also leads to severe environmental degradation and socio-economic disruptions. This study employs a mixed-method research approach, utilizing a case study design. Data was collected through questionnaires, interviews, and field observations from key stakeholders, including gold panners, local residents, officials from the local authority, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), and representatives from the government. A total sample of 160 respondents participated in the study, with 150 representing gold panners, mine owners, and local residents, and 10 serving as key informants. The findings of the study indicate that environmental impacts include deforestation, soil erosion, siltation of rivers, and the contamination of water bodies with mercury and other toxic chemicals used in gold extraction. These activities threaten biodiversity, reduce agricultural productivity, and undermine water security for both domestic and agricultural use. The social consequences of illegal gold panning are equally alarming. It exacerbates conflicts over land use, increases crime rates, and creates unsafe working conditions that often lead to injuries or fatalities. Moreover, while it has both positive and negative impacts on the livelihoods of community members, the lack of regulatory oversight fosters the growth of informal markets and encourages criminal activities such as theft and corruption. These issues undermine local governance and law enforcement efforts, further complicating the socio-economic landscape of the region. The findings reveal a complex interaction between poverty-driven survival strategies and the urgent need for sustainable natural resource management. These findings have significant implications for policy formulation and development strategies in Zimbabwe’s mining sector. The research concludes that illegal gold panning in Gwanda District has caused significant environmental and social damage. To mitigate these negative impacts, a multi-faceted approach is necessary, including the formalization of artisanal mining, strict enforcement of environmental regulations, and the provision of alternative livelihood opportunities for local communities. The study underscores the importance of balancing socio-economic needs with environmental sustainability to protect the region's natural resources while supporting the well-being of local communities.

Impact of changes in climate and glacier configurations on runoff from the Langtang River basin, Nepal

Abstract. Climate change is rapidly altering Himalayan glaciers, jeopardizing downstream water resources. This study investigates the impact of changing air temperatures, precipitation, and glacier configurations on streamflow in the Langtang River basin, a vital Himalayan basin. Using a process-based glacio-hydrological model driven by bias-corrected reanalysis data, we simulate streamflow under various scenarios. Results reveal that, while current glacier conditions show increased runoff with higher temperatures and precipitation, future deglaciation scenarios project a decrease in total streamflow, highlighting the complex interplay between climate and glacier dynamics in basin hydrology. These findings emphasize the need for adaptation strategies to ensure water security in the face of evolving Himalayan hydrology.

Sustainable Practices for Arid Climates: Evaluating Combined Mulches with Biostimulant in Combating Soil Salinity and Cowpea Cultivation

Salinity and water security are significant challenges in arid climates, necessitating effective practices to enhance crop productivity in these stressful environments. To address this, a study was conducted during the summer seasons of 2022 and 2023 using a randomized, completely block setup with three replications. The research assessed the effects of different mulch materials, unmulched (bare soil), white plastic, rice straw, and sawdust, combined with biostimulant foliar applications (control, bulk chitosan at 250 mg/L, and two concentrations of chitosan nanoparticles at 125 mg/L and 62.5 mg/L) on physiochemical and biological properties of salt-affected soil, as well as on the growth and yield of cowpeas. The findings of this study indicate that different mulch materials exert distinct effects based on their type. For instance, white plastic mulch with chitosan nanoparticles at a concentration of 62.5 mg/L markedly decreased soil salinity (by 10.80% and 14.64%) and ESP (by 6.93% and 6.80%). In contrast, white plastic mulch paired with a control foliar application significantly increased the soil moisture content (by 23.93% and 27.63%) compared to un-mulched soil. The combination of organic mulches and biostimulant foliar treatments significantly enhanced soil health by increasing the pH, organic carbon, nutrient content, and beneficial bacteria while reducing the bulk density and suppressing harmful fungi. Biostimulant foliar treatments have a modest affected soil property. Additionally, this study highlights that integrating specific mulching materials with biostimulant foliar treatments can significantly improve cowpea’s vegetative growth, yield, and nutrient content. This suggests that combining mulches and biostimulants may provide a sustainable solution for enhancing cowpea production in saline environments.

Indicadores de Sustentabilidade para Gestão da Água

Water safety involves the sustainable use and protection of water sources, so that water is available in adequate quantity and quality to health, livelihoods, ecosystems and production, in addition to protecting it from the negative effects of extreme weather events. Internationally, the concept of water security began being discussed in the 1990s, and more so since 2009, when the issue became the subject of a greater number of publications. In Brazil Federal Law 9433/97, which establishes the National Water Resources Policy, and corresponding state laws implicitly provide the concept of water security. However, the National Water Safety Plan was only launched in 2019, and has became the fundamental instrument for decision-making on this issue. The objective of the research was to pre-select indicators to analyze the water safety of the municipalities contemplated in the Capibaribe river watershed, within the framework of sustainable water management. To achieve the objective, the following methodology was adopted: pre-selection of indicators; application of a questionnaire to a panel of experts; structure a database. Thus, this work aims to bring subsidies that contribute to water security actions and public policies through the development of an indicator database. Additionally, this research is a proposal for future work, helping to define an equation of the water security index for the municipalities in the watershed.

Urban transformation of lakes and its impacts on a lake series: A case study of the yele mallappa shetty lake series Bengaluru, India.

The interconnected systems of lakes of Bengaluru, India, experience tremendous stress due to unsustainable urbanisation. Traditional lake-centric research approach struggles to capture and address this issue due to the cascaded nature of impacts in interconnected lake systems. Hence, this study assesses the impact of urbanisation on a lake series scale, focusing on the Yele Mallappa Shetty Lake series (YMSLS). Land use land cover change analysis (1993-2023) showed that in 1993, the YMSLS catchment area was dominated by open spaces (53.4%) and agriculture land and vegetation (35%), with built-up areas covering only 7.2%. By 2023, the built-up area has expanded to 34.6% and became the dominant land use. This rapid urbanisation has led to increased water surface area from wastewater influx, causing significant weed growth and water pollution in the lakes. Lake water quality assessment showed that faecal coliform, total coliform, dissolved oxygen, and biochemical oxygen demand levels exceeded standard limits with spatio-temporal variations driven by interconnectivity. Pollutant flushing during monsoon reduced pollution load in upstream lakes, but high wastewater inflow made downstream lakes, particularly the end lake, highly polluted but perennial. Increased water availability expanded the user base of the end lake, but traditional uses have declined and coping strategies of users, such as wastewater lift irrigation from the lake, became unsustainable. The study indicates that spatial interdependence and cascading effects necessitate a lake series approach for assessing the impacts of urbanisation on interconnected lake system, which is crucial for enhancing water security and preparedness for future extreme events.

Enhancing water security through advanced modeling: integrating deep learning and a novel metaheuristic optimization algorithm for accurate pan evaporation prediction

ABSTRACT This study evaluates and enhances machine learning models for predicting pan evaporation under diverse climatic conditions. Five fundamental machine learning models were employed and tested across four different stations. Subsequent comparisons were made with advanced techniques, including long short-term memory (LSTM) networks. An innovative approach was introduced, combining LSTM with Binary Al-Biruni Earth Radius (BER–LSTM). This hybrid method was benchmarked against other optimization techniques. The BER–LSTM model consistently outperformed other models across all stations and time scales, achieving up to a 97.54% improvement in root mean square error (RMSE) compared to standard LSTM on daily time scales. Compared to simpler models like Multilayer Perceptron and Support Vector Regressor, BER–LSTM showed even more substantial improvements, with up to a 99.03% reduction in RMSE. The BER–LSTM model demonstrates superior predictive capabilities for pan evaporation across varied climatic conditions, offering significant improvements over both traditional and advanced machine learning techniques. This approach shows promise for enhancing evaporation forecasting in diverse environmental contexts.

Application of the Standardized Precipitation Index for Forecasting Seasonal Drought in Vietnam

Drought is a natural disaster that causes significant damages to the economy, society and environment. Forecasting droughts is crucial for disaster risk management and water security. This study introduces a new method for forecasting seasonal droughts in Vietnam using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) which is based on a combination of dynamic modeling and statistical methods. The precipitation forecast products from regional climate models (RegCM, clWRF) with inputs from Climate Forecast System (CFSv2) were used to calculate the SPI index after statistical calibration. Results show that calibrating model precipitation with statistical methods such as Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Multivariate Linear Regression (MLR) significantly improves the precipitation forecast accuracy. Evaluation indices indicate that the SPI calculated with the post-calibration model precipitation has a good reproducibility for drought events, particularly mild droughts. However, there remains some limitations on accurate forecast of the intensity and spatial distribution of moderate drought events in certain regions such as Central Vietnam.

Unlocking the mysteries of drought: integrating snowmelt dynamics into drought analysis at the Narayani River Basin, Nepal

AbstractDrought is among the most impactful natural hazards, undermining water security, agriculture, and livelihoods worldwide. Analysing droughts in large catchments presents several unique challenges, primarily related to the complexity of land surface characteristics and data availability limitations. Conducting drought analysis in the Narayani River Basin, which encompasses a vast area within the Himalayan region of Nepal, is extremely challenging but crucial for maintaining the river basin's social, economic, and environmental balance. In response, this study develops a new combined drought index (CDI), integrating satellite-based reanalysis parameters [i.e., Land Surface Temperature (LST), Snow Cover (SC), and Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)] with a meteorological parameter [i.e., Standardised Precipitation (std_prec)]. The novel CDI was applied at the Narayani Basin to assess the droughts over the 2004–2013 period, and the results were independently evaluated using streamflow observations to validate the accuracy of the novel drought index. The principal component analysis (PCA) technique was used to determine the contribution of input parameters to the multivariate drought index. The PCA results show a strong positive correlation (0.78) between the CDI and standardised streamflow, indicating the effectiveness of the novel index in monitoring drought conditions. Accordingly, it can be concluded that surface water availability is interdependent on landscape characteristics, such as LST, SC, and NDVI, in addition to the effects of precipitation. Also, the novel CDI can identify the specific drought-affected areas in the Narayani River Basin, offering insights into its drought characteristics beyond traditional drought assessment techniques.

Advancing Water Security and Agricultural Productivity: A Case Study of Transboundary Cooperation Opportunities in the Kabul River Basin

The Kabul River Basin (KRB) is witnessing frequent flood and drought events that influence food production and distribution. The KRB is one of the world’s poorest regions regarding food security. Food security issues in the KRB include shifts in short-term climate cycles with significant river flow variations that result in inadequate water distribution. Due to the lack of hydro-infrastructure, low irrigation efficiency, and continuing wars, the Afghanistan portion of the KRB has experienced low agricultural land expansion opportunities for food production. This research assesses the relationship between flood mitigation, flow balances, and food production and, cumulatively, assesses the social and economic well-being of the population of the KRB. SWAT modeling and climate change (CCSM4) implications are utilized to assess how these relationships impact the social and economic well-being of the population in the KRB. The intricacies of transboundary exchange and cooperation indicate that the conservation of ~38% of the water volume would nearly double the low flows in the dry season and result in the retention of ~2B m3/y of water for agricultural developmental use. Results show that the peak flood flow routing in reservoirs on the Afghanistan side of the KRB would have a substantial positive impact on agricultural products and, therefore, food security. Water volume conservation has the potential to provide ~44% more arable land with water, allowing a ~51% increase in crop yield, provided that improved irrigation efficiency techniques are utilized.

Navigating Emerging Climate Crises Through Adaptive Polycentric Meta-networks

AbstractWithout urgent, systemic, and collective global interventions to address the emerging climate emergency, we are likely to continue to see a range of increasingly significant adverse impacts globally. Temperatures will continue to increase, ice shelves will melt, seas will rise, crops will fail, water scarcity will increase and spread, wildfires will accelerate, and food and water insecurity, violence, and the largest human migration in history will ensue. According to the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), these climate changes will displace over 1.2 billion people by 2050 at a rate currently exceeding 21.5 million people per year. This mass migration will create incredible burdens on political, legal, economic, agricultural, educational, and health infrastructures in future host countries, and we are globally unprepared. It is well-recognized that the solution to these crises lies in our collective awakening by embracing complexity and employing bold and holistic perspectives. However, theoretical and applied advancements that may meaningfully inform practical approaches to urgently address climate related threats remain scattered and insufficient. The purpose of our proposed paper is to advance the concept of adaptive polycentric meta-networks (APMNs) as a partial solution to collectively address climate crises. We draw upon key insights from works on polycentricity, complexity leadership, and meta-networks, to arrive at our integrative framework. We also discuss ways that the proposed framework aligns with the dynamics of collective mindfulness and practical wisdom, particularly to facilitate cross-sector and global collaborations, across cultures and spiritual practices, to achieve the climate change goals at a macro scale. We believe that our framework offers an important conceptual and practical pathway to tackle the complex dynamics of climate change, and to generate the needed collective sensemaking and awareness to awaken, engage, and align collective leadership where it is needed, at global, national, regional and local levels and across governments, NGOs, and corporate interests.

Atmospheric water harvesting as a sustainable and resilient resource in arid climates: gaining insights from ancient techniques

ABSTRACT Fog and dew, or atmospheric moisture, are valuable complementary resources. Ancient civilisations exploited these resources in harmony with the environment, though information on their techniques is fragmented. This review provides insights into the efficiency, evolution, and relevance of ancient atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) techniques from 5000 B.C. to the 1900s, alongside modern techniques. An analytical framework and assessment are presented to deduce their viability for replication, revival, restoration, or redevelopment. Modern fog collectors yield an average value of 3–10 L/m2/day and dew collectors 0.3–0.6 L/m2/day. Ancient fog collectors from Mexico and Chile resembled modern collectors, while fog drip from trees offers a natural alternative, collecting 70 L/m2/day. The stone drip method shows potential in urban areas with extensive concrete surfaces. Ancient dew collection techniques include alchemists' dew collectors, lithic mulching for soil water conservation, dew ponds for water retention, and stone-pile condensers, which collected up to 360 L/day. Air wells, however, were less effective. Ancient AWH techniques offer valuable insights and can effectively supplement modern collectors, enhancing resilience and water security, especially in arid regions. Implementing AWH techniques provides sustainable, decentralised, nature-based strategies on a micro and macro scale for mitigating contemporary water shortages amidst increasing climate challenges.

Israel as India’s Pivot in the IMEC

India’s policy on the Middle East has broadly been bilateral and in the process, it had to strike a fine balance in furthering relations with countries that are rivals. Its “Look West” policy, introduced in 2005, made some inroads in the Middle East, enlarging its economic and strategic footprints. In recent years, it has stepped up its engagements through minilateral and multilateral frameworks by joining India, Israel, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (I2U2) grouping and jointly launching the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). The I2U2 was launched in 2020 for expansive economic cooperation in vital areas of water, energy, transportation, space, health, and food security. It was catalyzed in the backdrop of the Abraham Accords. In September 2023, during the G20 summit in New Delhi, seven countries, namely, India, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, France, Germany, Italy, the United States, and the European Union (EU), signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the IMEC. The October 7, 2023 attack on Israel and its attendant consequences have threatened to derail this multilateral cooperation, but India and other signatories have remained steadfast in their commitment to IMEC, raising hope for its future.