scholarly journals PROBLEMS OF WATER RESOURCES AND WATER USE IN ARID REGIONS, USING THE EXAMPLE OF ANCIENT AND MODERN ISRAEL

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
В.А. Широкова ◽  
О.А. Александровская ◽  
Э.А. Лихачёва
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Arid Regions ◽  
Water System ◽  
Morphological Structure ◽  
Geological Structure ◽  
Water Sources ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
History Of

Статья посвящена проблемам водных ресурсов и водопользованию в аридных районах на примере древнего и современного Израиля. При анализе истории водопользования обращается внимание и на рельеф и морфоструктуру территорий, определяющих месторасположение водоисточников и место развития древних городов. Большинство источников воды расположены вдоль зон линеаментов. Рассмотрены водные системы, приуроченные к Иорданской впадине, и, в частности, водные системы конца ханаанских времён (XIV–XIII вв. до н.э.) и начала древнего Израильского царства; эллинский период в истории создания водных систем; система водопользования в древнем Иерусалиме; искусственные водные системы конца старой эры (I в. до н.э.). Выдающиеся достижения инженерной и строительной практики древних израильтян в области водопользования опираются на их хорошее знание местных условий (в первую очередь особенности геологического строения) и умение при остром дефиците пресных вод собирать и сохранять её до следующих зимних дождей, бережно расходуя её в течение года. Опыт древних инженеров и поныне может служить достойным примером продуктивных отношений человека и природы. The article is devoted to problems of water resources and water use in arid regions at the example of ancient and modern Israel. When analyzing the history of water management also drew attention to the relief and morphological structure, defining the location of water sources and development of ancient cities. Most water sources are located along zones of lineament. Discussed the water system, dedicated to the Jordan basin, and in particular, the water system of the late Canaanite era (XIV–XIII centuries BC) and the beginning of the ancient Kingdom of Israel; the Hellenistic period in the history of the water systems; the system of water in ancient Jerusalem; artificial water system of the end of the old era (I century BC). Outstanding achievements of engineering and construction practices of the ancient Israelites in the area of water management based on their good knowledge of local conditions (primarily the features of the geological structure) and ability in acute shortage of fresh water to collect and keep it until the next winter rains, carefully spending it during the year. Experience ancient engineers today can serve as a worthy example of the productive relationship between man and nature.

scholarly journals Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Management of Water Resources in the Island of Crete, Greece

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1538 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. A. Tzanakakis ◽  
A. N. Angelakis ◽  
N. V. Paranychianakis ◽  
Y. G. Dialynas ◽  
G. Tchobanoglous
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Water Availability ◽  
Water Sources ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Total Water ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Treated Effluent ◽  
Critical Issues

Crete, located in the South Mediterranean Sea, is characterized by long coastal areas, varied terrain relief and geology, and great spatial and inter-annual variations in precipitation. Under average meteorological conditions, the island is water-sufficient (969 mm precipitation; theoretical water potential 3284 hm3; and total water use 610 hm3). Agriculture is by far the greatest user of water (78% of total water use), followed by domestic use (21%). Despite the high average water availability, water scarcity events commonly occur, particularly in the eastern-south part of the island, driven by local climatic conditions and seasonal or geographical mismatches between water availability and demand. Other critical issues in water management include the over-exploitation of groundwater, accounting for 93% of the water used in agriculture; low water use efficiencies in the farms; limited use of non-conventional water sources (effluent reuse); lack of modern frameworks of control and monitoring; and inadequate cooperation among stakeholders. These deficiencies impact adversely water use efficiency, deteriorate quality of water resources, increase competition for water and water pricing, and impair agriculture and environment. Moreover, the water-limited areas may display low adaptation potential to climate variability and face increased risks for the human-managed and natural ecosystems. The development of appropriate water governance frameworks that promote the development of integrated water management plans and allow concurrently flexibility to account for local differentiations in social-economic favors is urgently needed to achieve efficient water management and to improve the adaptation to the changing climatic conditions. Specific corrective actions may include use of alternative water sources (e.g., treated effluent and brackish water), implementation of efficient water use practices, re-formation of pricing policy, efficient control and monitoring, and investment in research and innovation to support the above actions. It is necessary to strengthen the links across stakeholders (e.g., farmers, enterprises, corporations, institutes, universities, agencies, and public authorities), along with an effective and updated governance framework to address the critical issues in water management, facilitate knowledge transfer, and promote the efficient use of non-conventional water resources.

scholarly journals Unsustainability Syndrome—From Meteorological to Agricultural Drought in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 838 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Torabi Haghighi ◽  
Nizar Abou Zaki ◽  
Pekka M. Rossi ◽  
Roohollah Noori ◽  
Ali Akbar Hekmatzadeh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Arid Regions ◽  
Drought Index ◽  
Agricultural Drought ◽  
Irrigated Agriculture ◽  
Fars Province ◽  
Water Capacity ◽  
Irrigated Area ◽  
Semi Arid

Water is the most important resource for sustainable agriculture in arid and semi-arid regions, where agriculture is the mainstay for rural societies. By relating the water usage to renewable water resources, we define three stages from sustainable to unsustainable water resources: (1) sustainable, where water use is matched by renewable water capacity, ensuring sustainable water resources; (2) transitional, where water use occasionally exceeds renewable water capacity; and (3) unsustainable, with lack of water resources for agriculture, society, and the environment. Using available drought indicators (standardized precipitation index (SPI) and streamflow drought index (SDI)) and two new indices for agricultural drought (overall agricultural drought index (OADI) and agricultural drought index (ADI)), we evaluated these stages using the example of Fars province in southern Iran in the period 1977–2016. A hyper-arid climate prevailed for an average of 32% of the province’s spatio-temporal coverage during the study period. The area increased significantly from 30.6% in the first decade (1977–1986) to 44.4% in the last (2006–2015). The spatiotemporal distribution of meteorological drought showed no significant negative trends in annual precipitation during 1977–2016, but the occurrence of hydrological droughts increased significantly in the period 1997–2016. The expansion of irrigated area, with more than 60% of rainfed agriculture replaced by irrigated agriculture (especially between 1997 and 2006), exerted substantial pressure on surface water and groundwater resources. Together, climate change, reduced river flow, and significant declines in groundwater level in major aquifers led to unsustainable use of water resources, a considerable reduction in irrigated area, and unsustainability in agricultural production in the period 2006–2015. Analysis of causes and effects of meteorological, hydrological, and agricultural drought in the area identified three clear stages: before 1997 being sustainable, 1997–2006 being transitional, and after 2006 being unsustainable.

scholarly journals Effects of model calibration on hydrological and water resources management simulations under climate change in a semi-arid watershed

2020 ◽  
Vol 163 (3) ◽  
pp. 1247-1266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hagen Koch ◽  
Ana Lígia Chaves Silva ◽  
Stefan Liersch ◽  
José Roberto Gonçalves de Azevedo ◽  
Fred Fokko Hattermann
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Water Management ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Resources Management ◽  
Model Calibration ◽  
Arid Regions ◽  
Discharge Data ◽  
Resources Management ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Semi Arid

AbstractSemi-arid regions are known for erratic precipitation patterns with significant effects on the hydrological cycle and water resources availability. High temporal and spatial variation in precipitation causes large variability in runoff over short durations. Due to low soil water storage capacity, base flow is often missing and rivers fall dry for long periods. Because of its climatic characteristics, the semi-arid north-eastern region of Brazil is prone to droughts. To counter these, reservoirs were built to ensure water supply during dry months. This paper describes problems and solutions when calibrating and validating the eco-hydrological model SWIM for semi-arid regions on the example of the Pajeú watershed in north-eastern Brazil. The model was calibrated to river discharge data before the year 1983, with no or little effects of water management, applying a simple and an enhanced approach. Uncertainties result mainly from the meteorological data and observed river discharges. After model calibration water management was included in the simulations. Observed and simulated reservoir volumes and river discharges are compared. The calibrated and validated models were used to simulate the impacts of climate change on hydrological processes and water resources management using data of two representative concentration pathways (RCP) and five earth system models (ESM). The differences in changes in natural and managed mean discharges are negligible (< 5%) under RCP8.5 but notable (> 5%) under RCP2.6 for the ESM ensemble mean. In semi-arid catchments, the enhanced approach should be preferred, because in addition to discharge, a second variable, here evapotranspiration, is considered for model validation.

Use of land in a water fund in modern conditions

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (92) ◽  
pp. 26-29
Author(s):  
K.I. Ryzhova ◽  
V.M. Mandzyk
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Financial Support ◽  
Private Enterprise ◽  
The State ◽  
Institutional System

The article deals with issues of management and financial support land use water resources Ukraine in terms of decentralization. It was established that one of the obstacles to decentralization in Ukraine is the lack of necessary funding infrastructure upgrades lands of water fund. The necessity of reforming the institutional system of water use on the lands of water fund, through the implementation of new institutional forms of economic development, water resources, focused on the water and agricultural needs of communities. In particular, they provide for the establishment of partnerships between the state and private enterprise entities and ensure diversification of investment water management and protection projects.

An Agent Based Hydro Informatics Approach for the Engagement of Farmers in Irrigation Water Management in Saudi Arabia

2016 ◽  
pp. 404-423
Author(s):  
Tagelsir Mohamed Gasmelseid
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Irrigation Water ◽  
Software Agents ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Irrigation Systems ◽  
Cropping Patterns ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
The Government

The use of software agent systems and technologies to simulate water resources management scenarios and improve the engagement of stakeholders in policy making is gaining paramount importance. Such importance originates from two main concerns or change agents. Firstly, the context of water management is becoming highly complicated due to the intensity of connections with other systems, the diversity of stakeholders and the multiplicity (and sometime conflicting) objectives of decision partners. Moreover, the domain used for capitalizing on water management issues is becoming planetary (as it is the case of shared basins) rather than being local (watershed, watercourse, scheme, etc.). As a result, the concern is not limited to the optimization of the utility matrix of stakeholders but additional attention is required to incorporate many emerging issues such as the maintenance of financial sustainability, functional mainstreaming and improving engagement to promote reconciliation and change of water use behaviors. Secondly, the recent technological developments have improved the processing capacity of hardware, software functionalities and the accessibility of telecommunication platforms. Such developments have been reflected in the improvement of the capacities of decision makers to address complex problem domains. Software agents' technologies possess the qualities that make them useful for the provision of decision support in water management domains. As it is the case of irrigated agriculture, software agents' technology can be used for the design of farm surface irrigation systems, the improvement of irrigation systems management and the enhancement of the involvement of farmers in the processes of integrated water management. This paper is concerned with the use of agent based systems to facilitate the engagement of farmers in Al Ahsaa area in the management of water resources. The government of the Kingdom is adopting a demand management approach for the management of irrigation water by discouraging the cultivation of water-consuming crops such as wheat and dates. Improving the ability of farmers to analyze alternative cropping patterns significantly affects their water use behavior.

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.

Deriving Drinking Water Resources for Unusually Sensitive Areas

1999 ◽  
Vol 1999 (1) ◽  
pp. 825-827
Author(s):  
Joanne N. Halls ◽  
Miles O. Hayes ◽  
Jacqueline Michel ◽  
Christina Sames
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Ground Water ◽  
Water System ◽  
Water Sources ◽  
Alternative Source ◽  
Wellhead Protection ◽  
Drinking Water Resources ◽  
Protection Area ◽  
Filter Criterion

ABSTRACT The Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) of the Department of Transportation is required to identify areas that are unusually sensitive to environmental damage in the event of a hazardous liquid pipeline accident, in accordance with pipeline safety laws (49 U.S.C. Section 60109). Accordingly, workshops were held with regulatory agencies, pipeline operators, and the public during which a process was developed to identify “unusually sensitive areas” (USAs) for drinking water resources. This process, which has been adopted by RSPA, consists of first identifying environmentally sensitive drinking water resources and other primary concerns, and then applying the following five filtering criteria to determine which of the drinking water source locations should be USAs:, Filter Criterion #1. If the public water system is a Transient Noncommunity Water System (TNCWS), the water intakes shall not be designated as USAs. Filter Criterion #2. For Community Water Systems (CWS) and Nontransient Noncommunity Water Systems (NTNCWS) that obtain their water supply primarily from surface water sources, and do not have an adequate alternative source of water, the water intakes shall be designated as USAs. Filter Criterion #3. For CWS and NTNCWS that obtain their water primarily from ground water sources, where the source aquifer is identified as a Class I or Class IIa, as defined in Pettyjohn et al. (1991), and do not have an adequate alternative source of water, these wells shall be designated as USAs. The wellhead protection area for each well will be used to define the area of the USA. Filter Criterion #4. For CWS and NTNCWS that obtain their water primarily from ground water sources, where the source aquifer is identified as a Class IIb, IIc, III, or U, as defined in Pettyjohn et al. (1991), these wells shall not be designated as USAs. Filter Criterion #5. For CWS and NTNCWS that obtain their water primarily from ground water sources, where the source aquifer is identified as a Class I or Class IIa, as defined in Pettyjohn et al. (1991), and the aquifer is designated as a sole source aquifer, these wells are also USAs, an area twice the wellhead protection area shall be designated as a USA.

scholarly journals Integrated Assessment of Water Use in the Russian Part of the Lake Baikal Basin Based on Geo/information Technology

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Information Technology ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Lake Baikal ◽  
Integrated Assessment ◽  
River Basins ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Baikal Basin ◽  
Lake Baikal Basin

The advantages of the basin approach in the study of regional water use are justified in the article, water management areas according to the water management division of the Russian Federation were used as territorial units of the study. A universal methodic for the integrated assessment of the region’s water management activities was developed, based on geo/information technology. Stages of the study are described, including water management of the area, ranking based on the total anthropogenic load on water bodies and river basins, zoning of the territory to optimize the target use of water resources. The GIS of water use of the Lake Baikal basin is developed on the basis of governmental statistics, mass media examples of organization of water management data, as well as the results of automated mapping of water bodies. The results of water management regionalization are presented and spatial regularities of water use organization in the investigated territory are revealed. The ranking of river basins and water bodies according to the degree of anthropogenic load has been carried out, ecological problems of the region have been identified and their spatial localization has been fixed, the exact locations of pollution sources and their influence on water management have been established. Zoning of the territory under study for targeted use of water resources was proposed, five unique zones were identified, differentiated according to the special conditions for the formation of water resources and the specific use of water bodies, as well as the nature and intensity of the current and forecasted water use. A set of measures to optimize water use within the zones of targeted use of water resources is proposed.

scholarly journals Scenario-based strategy development for integrated water management

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 360-368
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Resources Management ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Water System ◽  
Cost Recovery ◽  
Strategy Development ◽  
Strategy Formulation ◽  
Resources Management

This paper presents a step-by-step methodological approach for the development and evaluation of strategies for water deficient regions. The primary focus of the approach followed was the mitigation of water stress, while applying the principles of Integrated Water Resources Management and the EU Water Framework Directive. The participation of Stakeholders and end-users through consultations was a key point in the methodology followed. Stakeholders and actors were approached and their opinions on Water Management were collected and integrated into a list of measures and instruments suited and available for implementation, forming the basic assumptions governing the strategy formulation process for a region. Comprehensive scenarios were developed and examined for each of the selected options, through a prototype Decision Support System (WSM DSS), in order to obtain an initial ranking with regard to their suitability and performance. Then, the strategy formulation involved the integration of options on a regional basis in a set timeframe, based on their previous estimated performance and technical considerations with regard to their implementation. To achieve the set-out goals and principles two distinct strategies were evaluated and compared, one reflecting the traditional and current practices and policies, and one closely following the principles of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). The developed Strategies were evaluated against each other and against the reference state of the water system, using a set of appropriate indicators for performance, cost, environmental and social impacts. Alternative pricing schemes were also explored in order to achieve a desired level of cost recovery for water services, and determine its effect on Strategy implementation. The developed strategies were re-examined and adjusted on the basis of the cost recovery structures, to account for the effects of price elasticities, and an overall evaluation was obtained enabling a final comparison. The methodology is illustrated through an exemplary application for the island of Paros, Greece. On the basis of the perceptions of different stakeholders, alternative water management strategies were developed and evaluated, and recommendations were made towards the mitigation of impacts caused by the high temporal water imbalance in the island.

scholarly journals System model of integrated management of the water resources of the Ingulets River by a basin principal

2020 ◽  
pp. 37-48
Author(s):  
V. P. Kovalchuk ◽  
P. I. Kovalchuk ◽  
M. V. Yatsyuk ◽  
R. Yu. Kovalenko ◽  
O. S. Demchuk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Water Resources Management ◽  
Integrated Management ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
System Model ◽  
Resources Management ◽  
Effective Water

For integrated water management in river basins in Ukraine, there is no toolkit for system modeling and selection of management structure in river basins according to environmental and economic criteria, which corresponds to the creation of water management systems under conditions of sustainable development. Therefore, the urgent task is to develop a system model of integrated water management on the example of the Ingulets River basin. The purpose of the work is to create a system model of integrated water resources management in Ingulets River basin, which provides scenario modeling of technological solutions, their evaluation and optimization of economic criteria for efficient water use under environmental constraints and criteria for achieving a good or excellent ecological status of the river basin. The system model is used as a toolkit, the method of decomposition of the river basin into subsystems, analysis of subsystems and their composition into a holistic model of integrated management by the basin principle. Telecommunication methods are proposed to improve monitoring. A method of scenario analysis is proposed, which performs simulation modeling of prospective management scenarios at the first level of the hierarchy, and at the second level - options are evaluated according to the criteria of cost-effective water use with environmental objectives and regulatory restrictions. For simulation modeling, a system of balance difference equations for the dynamics of water masses, mixing and spreading of pollution in rivers and reservoirs is formalized. A system of combined control for the impulse method of river washing was developed. Multicriteria optimization of variants of the control structure is carried out on the Pareto principle. A system model has been developed for integrated water resources management in the Ingulets River basin that meets the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive on the establishment of cost-effective water use while ensuring good or excellent ecological status of rivers. The structural and functional diagram of the system model includes the subsystems: the water supply subsystem of the Dnipro-Ingulets canal; a subsystem for flushing the Ingulets River from the Karachunivske reservoir and displacing the saline prism into the Dnipro River; subsystem of environmental safety when discharging pollution into the river Ingulets; subsystem of water supply for irrigation in the Ingulets irrigation system, prevention of soil salinization. A system of technological, economic and environmental criteria for evaluating integrated management by the basin principle has been developed. They include maintaining the water level in reservoirs, displacement of salt water prism and limitation on water quality, ensuring the ecological condition of the river, and the dynamics of water resources consumption. Technological criteria determine the maintenance of water levels in reservoirs. Cost-effective water use is estimated on the basis of the dynamics of water consumption for river washing and irrigation. The formalized integrated management system in the Ingulets River basin includes operational water resources management and structure management. Integrated management is carried out according to subsystems, types of management and a system of criteria. For operational management the balance differential equations of water exchange in reservoirs are formalized. A two-layer model of water masses dynamics, pollutants distribution and mixing when flushing rivers from reservoirs is used. Scenario analysis is offered to select the optimal structure of the management system. Simulation scenarios are being simulated. Scenario optimization is performed on the Pareto principle. An example of evaluating the effectiveness of the proposed system and its comparison with the existing regulations for Ingulets River flushing is given.

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