Management of large water resource systems

2003 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.S. Mckenzie ◽  
P.G. van Rooyen
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Resource ◽  
System Analysis ◽  
Demand Management ◽  
Resource Managers ◽  
The World ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Future Demands ◽  
Resource Systems

South Africa has one of the most complicated and integrated water resource systems in the world involving numerous interlinked river systems and major interbasin transfer schemes. The management of the various schemes has become a key issue over the past 15 years resulting in the development of sophisticated systems models which are now used to analyse and operate all of the country's major schemes. The models have been developed through a partnership between the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry in association with several of the country's consultants specialising in this area of expertise. The models have now reached a stage where they are considered to be both practical and sufficiently robust to use in other parts of the world. Australia and South Africa are quite similar in many respects with regards to the water resources and climate. Both countries share the same problem of large arid or semi-arid areas together with areas where the local water resources are insufficient to meet the existing or predicted future demands. Environmental considerations are also of major importance in both countries which in turn necessitates the effective use of the available resources before any new resources can be developed. In order to use the available water effectively much effort has been placed on various aspects of Water Demand Management in order to reduce leakage and excessive consumer use. It is also necessary, however, to ensure that the raw water resources are managed in an efficient and practical manner - something that is often easier said than done. This paper provides general details of the system analysis techniques that have been pioneered in South Africa and discusses the most recent developments that can be used to assist water resource managers in the analysis and planning of their water resource systems.

On the essentials of drought in a changing climate

Science ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 368 (6488) ◽  
pp. 256-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toby R. Ault
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Water Resource ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
The United States ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Resource Managers ◽  
The World

Droughts of the future are likely to be more frequent, severe, and longer lasting than they have been in recent decades, but drought risks will be lower if greenhouse gas emissions are cut aggressively. This review presents a synopsis of the tools required for understanding the statistics, physics, and dynamics of drought and its causes in a historical context. Although these tools have been applied most extensively in the United States, Europe, and the Amazon region, they have not been as widely used in other drought-prone regions throughout the rest of the world, presenting opportunities for future research. Water resource managers, early career scientists, and veteran drought researchers will likely see opportunities to improve our understanding of drought.

scholarly journals Recent Developments in Solar Thermal Desalination Technologies: A Review

Energies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ihsan Ullah ◽  
Mohammad Rasul
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Fresh Water ◽  
Water Demand ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
Cost Comparison ◽  
Grid Infrastructure ◽  
The World ◽  
Thermal Desalination ◽  
Recent Developments

Fresh water resources are depleting rapidly as the water demand around the world continues to increase. Fresh water resources are also not equally distributed geographically worldwide. The best way to tackle this situation is to use solar energy for desalination to not only cater for the water needs of humanity, but also to offset some detrimental environmental effects of desalination. A comprehensive review of the latest literature on various desalination technologies utilizing solar energy is presented here. This paper also highlights the environmental impacts of desalination technologies along with an economic analysis and cost comparison of conventional desalination methods with different solar energy based technologies. This review is part of an investigation into integration of solar thermal desalination into existing grid infrastructure in the Australian context.

scholarly journals Modeling for transboundary water resources planning and allocation

2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 475-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Juízo ◽  
R. Lidén
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
System Analysis ◽  
Model Performance ◽  
Yield Model ◽  
Water Users ◽  
Development Scenarios

Abstract. International water resources agreements for transboundary rivers in southern Africa are based on system analysis models for water planning and allocation. The Water Resources Yield Model (WRYM) developed in South Africa has so far been the only model applied in official joint water resources studies aimed to form water-sharing agreements. The continuous discussion around the model performance and growing distress over it being South African, where it was originally developed, while South Africa is one of the interested parties in the process, results in an increased controversy over the system analysis results that are often only meant to guide in selecting the options for water resources management in a given set of scenarios. The objective of this study was therefore to assess the model performance of two other models; WAFLEX and WEAP21 in the Umbeluzi River Basin system where the WRYM was previously applied as part of a Joint River Basin Study. A set of basin development scenarios was equally tested in the three models and the results compared. The results show that the three models all are possible tools for system analysis of river basins in southern Africa, although the structure and complexity of the models are different. The obtained level of satisfaction for specific water users could, however, vary depending on which model was used, which causes uncertainties. The reason for the diverse results is the structurally different ways of describing allocation and prioritization of water in the three models. However, the large degrees of freedom in all system models cause even larger uncertainty in the results since the model user can, intentionally or unintentionally, direct the results to favor certain water users. The conclusion of this study is therefore that the choice of model does not per se affect the decision of best water allocation and infrastructure layout of a shared river basin. The chosen allocation and prioritization principles for the specific river basin and the model user's experience and integrity are more important factors to find the optimal and equitable allocation.

scholarly journals A framework to support alien species regulation: the Risk Analysis for Alien Taxa (RAAT)

NeoBiota ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 62 ◽  
pp. 213-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabrina Kumschick ◽  
John R. U. Wilson ◽  
Llewellyn C. Foxcroft
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Risk Analysis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Regulatory Requirements ◽  
The World ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Almost All ◽  
New Framework

Human livelihoods and well-being in almost all regions of the world depend on taxa which are alien. Such taxa also, however, threaten human health, sustainable development, and biodiversity. Since it is not feasible or desirable to control all alien taxa, decision-makers increasingly rely on risk analyses to formalise the best available evidence of the threats posed and whether and how they can be managed. There are a variety of schemes available that consider the risks of alien taxa, but we argue a new framework is needed: 1) given major recent developments in international frameworks dealing with biological invasions (including the scoring of impacts); 2) so that decisions can be made consistently across taxa, regions and realms; 3) to explicitly set out uncertainties; and 4) to provide decision-makers with information both on the risks posed and on what can be done to mitigate or prevent impacts. Any such scheme must also be flexible enough to deal with constraints in capacity and information. Here we present a framework to address these points – the Risk Analysis for Alien Taxa (RAAT). It outlines a series of questions related to an alien taxon’s likelihood of invasion, realised and potential impacts, and options for management. The framework provides a structure for collating relevant data from the published literature to support a robust, transparent process to list alien taxa under legislative and regulatory requirements, with the aim that it can be completed by a trained science graduate within a few days. The framework also provides a defensible process for developing recommendations for the management of assessed taxa. We trialled the framework in South Africa and outline the process followed and some of the taxa assessed to date.

scholarly journals Hydraulic Behavior of Karst Aquifers

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1563 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Fiorillo ◽  
Peter Malik
Keyword(s):  
Resource Management ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Resource ◽  
Water Resource Management ◽  
Karst Aquifers ◽  
Karst Hydrogeology ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Hydraulic Behavior ◽  
Geological Features ◽  
The World

The objective of this Special Issue, “Hydraulic Behavior of Karst Aquifers”, is to focus on recent advances in karst hydrogeology in different areas of the world, focusing on topics dealing with the peculiar characteristics of karst aquifers. In particular, thirteen peer-reviewed articles were collected, focusing on hydraulic aspects and their relationship with geological features, geochemical and bacteriological aspects, tunneling and engineering mining inrush, and forecasting water resources and drought occurrences. Overall, these contributions describe several aspects of karst aquifers and are of great value for water resource management and protection.

Cape Town and Crimean Water Resources Crisis: Some Similar Problems and Possible Solutions

2019 ◽  
pp. 50-57
Author(s):  
Yury Skubko
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Resource ◽  
Drip Irrigation ◽  
Cape Town ◽  
Arid Lands ◽  
Brics Countries ◽  
Wastewater Recycling ◽  
Main Factors ◽  
Poor Management

The author presents a vision of the main factors of the water resource crisis in two BRICS countries, South Africa and Russia, concretely in Cape Town and Crimea. Although Russia, contrary to South Africa and many other countries, disposes abundant water resources, there are areas of scarcity and arid lands, Crimea among them. In both cases under consideration poor management and planning, lack of funding, worn out infrastructure and factors of mismanagement and corruption added to natural or geopolitical causes of resent hardships. Besides improvements in above mentioned fields and general modernization of infrastructure, also desalination, complex wastewater recycling and turnover to drip irrigation are among proposals discussed.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the coordinated development of regional water resource systems based on a dynamic coupling coordination model

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 565-573
Author(s):  
Kun Cheng ◽  
Jiping Yao ◽  
Yongtai Ren
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Resource ◽  
Dynamic Coupling ◽  
Entropy Weight ◽  
Coordinated Development ◽  
Coordination Model ◽  
Entropy Weight Method ◽  
Regional Water Resource ◽  
Regional Water ◽  
Resource Systems

Abstract Coupling and coordination analyses of regional water resource systems (WRS) play an important role in promoting the sustainable and coordinated development of those systems. In this paper, a dynamic coupling coordination model is introduced to study the coordinated development of WRS. The weight of each index is obtained using an improved entropy weight method. The coupling and coordination degrees between resource subsystems and other subsystems and an entire system of water resources can be obtained using this model. Taking Heilongjiang, China, as an example, the results show that in 2005–2014, the WRS exhibited low coupling and low coordination characteristics due to a substantial contradiction between the resource subsystem and the social and economic and ecological subsystems. Therefore, strengthening the overall development of water resources, society, economy and ecology and improving the coupling abilities between resource subsystems and each of the other subsystems are effective strategies for promoting the coordinated development of WRS.

Assessment of groundwater flow system for management of Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer System

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Kinoti ◽  
Marc Leblanc ◽  
Albert Olioso ◽  
Maciek Lubczynski
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Resource ◽  
Flow System ◽  
Arid Areas ◽  
Time Step ◽  
Transboundary Aquifer ◽  
Aquifer System ◽  
Semi Arid

<p>Groundwater is the main water resource in arid and semi-arid areas. Its evaluation in terms of recharge, discharge, flow system and change in storage is thus vital for management purposes. However, distributed numerical models which are considered as favourable tools for assessment of groundwater resources are often limited by availability of input data especially in arid and semi-arid areas in developing countries where monitoring networks are scarce. Moreover, in case of transboundary aquifers, political, institutional, cultural, socio-economic differences among countries make management of groundwater even more complex.</p><p>Remote sensing is a handy tool for monitoring water resources in data scarce areas. This study entails application of remote sensing data in developing a distributed integrated hydrological model for Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer System using MODFLOW-NWT coupled with the Unsaturated Zone Flow (UZF1) Package.</p><p>Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer is a multi-layered aquifer system shared between Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. The aquifer system consists of three aquifers, characterized by low transmissivity and low storage, intercalated by two aquitards. Conceptually, the physical processes taking place in this system are reasonably understood in Namibia and not as much in Botswana and South Africa. However, quantification of water resources and fluxes is still limited.</p><p>The aquifer system is mainly exploited in Namibia for socio-economic growth, where abstraction from storage has led to decline in local groundwater level. Water quality constraints have restrained its usage in South Africa, while in Botswana the potential for available resources is likely to be exploited, but there is not enough data for making firm decisions.</p><p>A numerical model has been set – up in transient conditions at daily time step and calibrated with groundwater levels as the state variables and satellite rainfall and potential evapotranspiration as the model driving forces. The calibrated model provides spatio-temporal water flux dynamics as well as water balances and hence an understanding of the groundwater-resource dynamics and replenishment. The results are compared to analysis of GRACE data to further constrain the model. This information is useful for proper management of the transboundary water resource as well as for policy making.</p>

Water Management

2021 ◽  
pp. 387-400
Author(s):  
Rajan Janardhanan
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Management ◽  
Resource Management ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Resource ◽  
Water Resource Management ◽  
Climate Change Impacts ◽  
Water Sources ◽  
Global Food Security ◽  
The World

The world faces an unprecedented crisis in water resources management, with profound implications for global food security, protection of human health, and maintenance of all ecosystems on Earth. Large uncertainties still plague quantitative assessments of climate change impacts and water resource management, but what is known for certain is that the climate is changing and that it will have an effect on water resources. Therefore, increased efforts will be needed to plan and manage water supplies in the future through increased monitoring and understanding of the interrelationships between population size, climate change, and water availability. The focus of water management is gradually shifting from developing new water sources to using existing water sources more effectively and efficiently. The world needs policy change in water management. Respect for water resources and their value is the starting point of deliberations. Governments have the essential water management function: to protect and allocate water resources to allow both individual and collective interests to benefit from water. Societies must also lead in understanding, provisioning for mitigating the impact of disasters, ranging from extreme droughts to unprecedented floods, caused by climate change and poor management of water and land. Public funds will likely remain the main source of water sectoral funding. It is up to governments to invest wisely to enhance the crucial role that water has for social and economic development in a country. Integrated water resource management strategy is accepted as a global model for achieving the objective of a sustainable water management system.

scholarly journals The Indus basin in the framework of current and future water resources management

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 2263-2288 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. N. Laghari ◽  
D. Vanham ◽  
W. Rauch
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Resources Management ◽  
Demand Management ◽  
Indus Basin ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Resources Management ◽  
Water Supply Management ◽  
Sustainable Water Resources Management ◽  
The World ◽  
Comprehensive Listing

Abstract. The Indus basin is one of the regions in the world that is faced with major challenges for its water sector, due to population growth, rapid urbanisation and industrialisation, environmental degradation, unregulated utilization of the resources, inefficient water use and poverty, all aggravated by climate change. This paper gives a comprehensive listing and description of available options for current and future sustainable water resources management (WRM) within the basin. Sustainable WRM practices include both water supply management and water demand management options.

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