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 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 Characterizing the Potential for Drought Action from Combined Hydrological and Societal Perspectives

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin Towler ◽  
Heather Lazrus ◽  
Debasish PaiMazumder
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Water Availability ◽  
Feedback Loop ◽  
Yield Data ◽  
Sustainable Water Management ◽  
South Central ◽  
Local Stakeholders ◽  
Water Uses

Abstract. Drought is a function of both natural and human influences, but fully characterizing the interactions between human and natural influences on drought remains challenging. To better characterize parts of the drought feedback loop, this study combines hydrological and societal perspectives to characterize and quantify the potential for drought action. For the hydrological perspective, we examine historical groundwater data, from which we determine the decadal likelihoods of exceeding hydrologic thresholds relevant to different water uses. Stakeholder interviews yield data about how people rate the importance of water for different water uses. We combine these to quantify the Potential Drought Action Index (PDAI). The PDAI is demonstrated for a study site in south-central Oklahoma, where water availability is highly influenced by drought and management of water resources is contested by local stakeholders. For the hydrological perspective, we find that the historical decadal likelihood of exceedance for a moderate threshold associated with municipal supply has ranged widely: from 23 % to 75 %, which corresponds well with natural drought variability in the region. For the societal perspective, stakeholder interviews reveal that people value water differently for various uses. Combining this information into the PDAI illustrates that potential drought action increases as the hydrologic threshold is exceeded more often; this occurs as conditions get drier and when water use thresholds are more moderate. The PDAI also shows that for water uses where stakeholders have diverse views of importance, the PDAI will be diverse as well, and this is exacerbated under drier conditions. The variability in stakeholder views of importance is partially explained by stakeholders' cultural worldviews, pointing to some implications for managing water when drought risks threaten. We discuss how the results can be used to reduce potential disagreement among stakeholders and promote sustainable water management, which is particularly important for planning under increasing drought.

Integrated management of water resources in the National Capital Region-Delhi

Social Change ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 31 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 38-60
Author(s):  
Ashis Banerjee
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Ground Water ◽  
Fresh Water ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Water Availability ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Integrated Management ◽  
Legal Aspects ◽  
National Capital Region

Competing demands between various sectors of water users such as agriculture, industry, urban and domestic use have put enormous pressure on the fresh water availability in India. Some investigations have shown that the per capita availability of water has gone down drastically in the last few decades. Yet, there is a little evidence to show that measures are being drawn up either to augment fresh water resources or to manage existing resource equitably. The reasons usually cited for the decline of water availability are deforestation, intensive water use in agriculture, growing population etc. Remedies must therefore be addressed to all these issues. However, there is an urgent need to look at the opportunities available in a country which is said to have had a riverine civilization and one which has the blessings of intensive precipitation during the monsoon months. Thus, on the one hand there are enormous possibilities available in rationalising water use in the agriculture sector, recycling water for industrial use and harnessing monsoon precipitation through water harvesting on a very large scale. It is also necessary to look at some of the policy aspects, legal aspects and financial aspects of water management. For instance, it needs to be asked whether official policy of conjunctive use of surface and ground water is being followed adequately. Also it needs to be asked whether, given that water is a State subject, there is adequate coordination among the States in order to facilitate optimalities in water use. In this context, it may be useful to re-evaluate all the existing inter-State water agreements which were drawn up several decades ago. Further, it needs to be investigated whether the moneys being spent on different aspects of water management such as inter-basin transfers, dam and canal construction, ground water management etc. are being done in a manner that is economically justifiable. Simultaneously, the existing fiscal mechanism in relation to water use should also be reexamined to see the future scope of making water use economically viable.

scholarly journals Characterizing the potential for drought action from combined hydrological and societal perspectives

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 1469-1482
Author(s):  
Erin Towler ◽  
Heather Lazrus ◽  
Debasish PaiMazumder
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Water Availability ◽  
Feedback Loop ◽  
Yield Data ◽  
Sustainable Water Management ◽  
South Central ◽  
Local Stakeholders ◽  
Water Uses

Abstract. Drought is a function of both natural and human influences, but fully characterizing the interactions between human and natural influences on drought remains challenging. To better characterize parts of the drought feedback loop, this study combines hydrological and societal perspectives to characterize and quantify the potential for drought action. For the hydrological perspective, we examine historical groundwater data, from which we determine the decadal likelihoods of exceeding hydrologic thresholds relevant to different water uses. Stakeholder interviews yield data about how people rate the importance of water for different water uses. We combine these to quantify the Potential Drought Action Indicator (PDAI). The PDAI is demonstrated for a study site in south-central Oklahoma, where water availability is highly influenced by drought and management of water resources is contested by local stakeholders. For the hydrological perspective, we find that the historical decadal likelihood of exceedance for a moderate threshold associated with municipal supply has ranged widely: from 23 % to 75 %, which corresponds well with natural drought variability in the region. For the societal perspective, stakeholder interviews reveal that people value water differently for various uses. Combining this information into the PDAI illustrates that potential drought action increases as the hydrologic threshold is exceeded more often; this occurs as conditions get drier and when water use thresholds are more moderate. The PDAI also shows that for water uses where stakeholders have diverse views of importance, the PDAI will be diverse as well, and this is exacerbated under drier conditions. The variability in stakeholder views of importance is partially explained by stakeholders' cultural worldviews, pointing to some implications for managing water when drought risks threaten. We discuss how the results can be used to reduce potential disagreement among stakeholders and promote sustainable water management, which is particularly important for planning under increasing drought.

scholarly journals The potential of the water industry in the context of sustainable development

2021 ◽  
Vol 937 (3) ◽  
pp. 032027
Author(s):  
Z Yessymkhanova ◽  
Zh Dauletkhanova ◽  
B Suleimenova ◽  
G Mussirov ◽  
A Gorda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Availability ◽  
Economic Structure ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Water Industry ◽  
Modern Period ◽  
Regional Economic Structure ◽  
Further Development

Abstract In the modern period, the productivity of water resources is an indicator of the efficiency with which a country uses its water resources. Taking into account the regional economic structure of Kazakhstan and the vast territories with different natural and climatic conditions, these indicators should be used taking into account the sectoral activities of the region and their availability of natural, including water resources. The purpose of this article is to consider the existing potential of water resources of our country on the basis of an assessment of water availability and determining the prospects for further development of the water economy of Kazakhstan in the conditions of sustainable development. The assessment of water availability is associated with such problems as the lack of hydrological information, differences in the conditions for the formation and use of water resources, difficulties in combining physical – geographical, administrative–territorial and water management boundaries, heterogeneity of the analyzed information.

The Effects of Groundwater and Surface Water Use on Total Water Availability and Implications for Water Management: The Case of Lake Naivasha, Kenya

2013 ◽  
Vol 27 (9) ◽  
pp. 3477-3492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pieter R. van Oel ◽  
Dawit W. Mulatu ◽  
Vincent O. Odongo ◽  
Frank M. Meins ◽  
Rick J. Hogeboom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Surface Water ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Water Availability ◽  
Lake Naivasha ◽  
Total Water

scholarly journals An improved method for calculating regional crop water footprint based on hydrological process analysis

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Bo Luan ◽  
Ya-Li Yin ◽  
Pu-Te Wu ◽  
Shi-Kun Sun ◽  
Yu-Bao Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Water Footprint ◽  
Process Analysis ◽  
Irrigation District ◽  
Hydrological Process ◽  
Total Water ◽  
Crop Water ◽  
Total Consumption

Abstract. Fresh water is consumed during agricultural production. With the shortage of water resources, assessing the water use efficiency is crucial to effectively managing agricultural water resources. The water footprint is a new index for water use evaluation, and it can reflect the quantity and types of water usage during crop growth. This study aims to establish a method for calculating the region-scale water footprint of crop production based on hydrological processes. This method analyzes the water-use process during the growth of crops, which includes irrigation, precipitation, underground water, evapotranspiration, and drainage, and it ensures a more credible evaluation of water use. As illustrated by the case of the Hetao irrigation district (HID), China, the water footprints of wheat, corn and sunflower were calculated using this method. The results show that canal water loss and evapotranspiration were responsible for most of the water consumption and accounted for 47.9 % and 41.8 % of the total consumption, respectively. The total water footprints of wheat, sunflower and corn were 1380–2888 m3/t, 942–1774 m3/t, and 2095–4855 m3/t, respectively, and the blue footprint accounts for more than 86 %. The spatial distribution pattern of the green, blue and total water footprint for the three crops demonstrated that higher values occurred in the eastern part of the HID, which had more precipitation and was further from the irrigating gate. This study offers a vital reference for improving the method used to calculate the crop water footprint.

scholarly journals An improved method for calculating the regional crop water footprint based on a hydrological process analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. 5111-5123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Bo Luan ◽  
Ya-Li Yin ◽  
Pu-Te Wu ◽  
Shi-Kun Sun ◽  
Yu-Bao Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Water Footprint ◽  
Process Analysis ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Irrigation District ◽  
Green Water ◽  
Hydrological Process ◽  
Total Water ◽  
Crop Water

Abstract. Fresh water is consumed during agricultural production. With the shortage of water resources, assessing the water use efficiency is crucial to effectively manage agricultural water resources. The water footprint is an improved index for water use evaluation, and it can reflect the quantity and types of water usage during crop growth. This study aims to establish a method for calculating the regional-scale water footprint of crop production based on hydrological processes, and the water footprint is quantified in terms of blue and green water. This method analyses the water-use process during the growth of crops, which includes irrigation, precipitation, groundwater, evapotranspiration, and drainage, and it ensures a more credible evaluation of water use. As illustrated by the case of the Hetao irrigation district (HID), China, the water footprint of wheat, corn and sunflowers were calculated using this method. The results show that canal water loss and evapotranspiration were responsible for most of the water consumption and accounted for 47.9 % and 41.8 % of the total consumption, respectively. The total water footprint of wheat, corn and sunflowers were 1380–2888, 942–1774 and 2095–4855 m3 t−1, respectively, and the blue footprint accounts for more than 86 %. The spatial distribution pattern of the green, blue and total water footprints for the three crops demonstrated that higher values occurred in the eastern part of the HID, which had more precipitation and was further away from the irrigation gate. This study offers a vital reference for improving the method used to calculate the crop water footprint.

scholarly journals Water Supply of the Population of Ukraine: Level, Problems and Directions of its Solutions

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-104
Author(s):  
Viktoria Miroshnychenko
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Regional Differences ◽  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Total Water ◽  
Economic Methods ◽  
State Of Water ◽  
Gradual Introduction ◽  
Groundwater Reserves

The article examines the level of water supply of the population of Ukraine in terms of administrative regions, considers the existing problems, and identifies ways to solve them. Regional differences in the annual water supply of the population of Ukraine per capita in terms of local and transit runoff, forecast resources and operational groundwater reserves, the size of their intake, including daily, and indicators of total water supply in the average water and low water (95 %) years. A comparison with the water supply indicators of other European countries is made. According to the indicated sources of water supply, groups of regions in which the state of water supply is critical have been identified. It is recognized as necessary when developing programs to improve water use, first of all to pay attention to areas that have not only lower indicators of total water supply, but also lower levels of operational reserves and projected groundwater resources, which should be used to meet drinking and sanitation. hygienic needs. The structure of fresh water use and pollution of water discharged together with wastewater are characterized. Particular attention is paid to the disclosure of the level of development, the dynamics of groundwater production, the structure of their use, the nature and causes of pollution. The ecological consequences and main problems caused by the natural shortage of water resources and significant regional differences in their provision, pollution of surface and groundwater and violations of the norms of their use are outlined. It is proposed, taking into account the unfavorable state of water supply in Ukraine as a whole and critical in some regions, to pay attention to the need for gradual introduction of economic methods of influence, through differentiation of prices for water supply of different quality, to water consumers and other economic entities. exploitation of water bodies, collection, preparation, transportation of water resources, which would stimulate the preservation and restoration of this valuable and unalternative natural product. JEL classіfіcatіon: Q25

Water use strategy of Ammopiptanthus mongolicus community in a drought year on the Mongolian Plateau

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 793-800
Author(s):  
Ya-Juan Zhu ◽  
Guo-Jie Wang ◽  
Zhi-Ming Xin
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Water Source ◽  
Water Sources ◽  
Desert Ecosystem ◽  
Total Water ◽  
Mongolian Plateau ◽  
Ammopiptanthus Mongolicus ◽  
Deep Soil ◽  
Water Use Strategy

Abstract Aims In desert ecosystems, water is a restricting factor for plant growth and vegetation dynamics. The relatively stable water source from deep soil profile or groundwater is important for plant survival during drought. Understanding water use strategy of endangered species, in desert ecosystem is essential for their conservation and restoration such as Ammopiptanthus mongolicus on the Mongolian Plateau. Methods The stable isotope method of δD and δ 18O was used to examine the main water sources of A. mongolicus and two companion shrubs, e.g. Artemisia ordosica and Artemisia xerophytica. The contribution of different water sources to each species was calculated by IsoSource model. Leaf δ 13C was used to compare long-term water use efficiency of three shrubs. Soil moisture and root distribution of three shrubs was measured to explain plant water use strategy. Important Findings The results showed that A. mongolicus relied on groundwater and 150–200 cm deep soil water, with the former contributing to almost half of its total water source. Artemisia ordosica mainly used 150–200 cm deep soil water, but also used shallow soil water within 100 cm in summer and autumn. Artemisia xerophytica mainly used 150–200 cm deep soil water and groundwater, with the latter contributing to about 30%–60% of its total water source. The three shrubs had dimorphic or deep root systems, which are in accord with their water sources. The WUE in the evergreen shrub A. mongolicus was higher than in two deciduous Artemisia shrubs, which may be an adaptive advantage in desert ecosystem. Therefore, groundwater is an important water source for the endangered shrub A. mongolicus in a drought year on Mongolian Plateau. Ammopiptanthus mongolicus and two Artemisia shrubs competed for deep soil water and groundwater.

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