Ground water and surface water under stress: competition, interaction, solutions

Presented at Ground water and surface water under stress: competition, interaction, solutions: a USCID water management conference on October 25-28, 2006 in Boise, Idaho.Includes bibliographical references.Overview of the Pecos River basin -- Integrating water management in Egypt: from concept to reality -- Evaluation of the Pecos River Carlsbad Settlement Agreement using the Pecos River Decision Support System -- Collaborative solutions to complex problems: a Pecos River basin, New Mexico case study -- Development of replacement water supplies by the Lower Arkansas Water Management Association -- Integrated water management in the Bear River basin -- Looking for trouble: anticipating impacts of changing allocation of irrigation water -- AgriMet: a tool for irrigation water management -- Application of MODIS and Landsat based evapotranspiration for western states water management -- Calibrating satellite-based vegetation indices to estimate evapotranspiration and crop coefficients -- Reducing Ogallala withdrawls by changing cropping and irrigation practices in the Texas High Plains -- Evaluating cotton yield potential in the Ogallala aquifer region -- A fully automated center pivot using crop canopy temperature: preliminary results -- Deficit irrigation in alfalfa as a strategy for providing water for nonagricultural uses -- An infrastructure management system for enhanced irrigation district planning -- Gila River Indian Community Water Resources Decision Support System - a modeling system for managing a multi-source conjunctive use water supply for long-term sustainability -- Groundwater analysis tool: a component of the Water Resources Decision Support System for the Gila River Indian Community -- Effective water management through farmer participation -- Improving canal water management through participatory approach: a case study on secondary canal (Potho Minor), Sindh, Pakistan -- Groundwater management improvements to mitigate declining groundwater levels - a case study -- An on-line advisory program for optimum irrigation management -- Institutional reforms in the water sector of Pakistan -- Matching irrigation supply and demand in Egypt -- Drought risk management for irrigated potato production in Idaho -- Case study - statistical forecasting techniques for evaluating an interruptible supply contract -- Managing across groundwater and surface water: an Australian 'conjunctive licence' illustration of allocation and planning issues -- Decentralized flow monitoring in Egypt -- High rate irrigation for groundwater recharge -- Impervious synthetic lining of deteriorated concrete canals - what are the real cost and benefits to irrigation districts? -- Design and installation of a flume to monitor spring discharge at the headwaters of the Verde River -- Optimal allocation of limited water supply for a large-scale irrigated area -- Assessment of the environmental sustainability of irrigated agriculture in a large-scale scheme - a case study

Water rights and related water supply issues

Presented during the USCID water management conference held on October 13-16, 2004 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The theme of the conference was "Water rights and related water supply issues."Includes bibliographical references.Proceedings sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Central Utah Project Completion Act Office and the U.S. Committee on Irrigation and Drainage.Consensus building as a primary tool to resolve water supply conflicts -- Administration to Colorado River allocations: the Law of the River and the Colorado River Water Delivery Agreement of 2003 -- Irrigation management in Afghanistan: the tradition of Mirabs -- Institutional reforms in irrigation sector of Pakistan: an approach towards integrated water resource management -- On-line and real-time water right allocation in Utah's Sevier River basin -- Improving equity of water distribution: the challenge for farmer organizations in Sindh, Pakistan -- Impacts from transboundary water rights violations in South Asia -- Impacts of water conservation and Endangered Species Act on large water project planning, Utah Lake Drainage Basin Water Delivery System, Bonneville Unit of the Central Utah Project -- Economic importance and environmental challenges of the Awash River basin to Ethiopia -- Accomplishing the impossible: overcoming obstacles of a combined irrigation project -- Estimating actual evapotranspiration without land use classification -- Improving water management in irrigated agricultue -- Beneficial uses of treated drainage water -- Comparative assessment of risk mitigation options for irrigated agricutlrue -- A multi-variable approach for the command of Canal de Provence Aix Nord Water Supply Subsystem -- Hierarchical Bayesian Analysis and Statistical Learning Theory II: water management application -- Soil moisture data collection and water supply forecasting -- Development and implementation of a farm water conservation program within the Coachella Valley Water District, California -- Concepts of ground water recharge and well augmentation in northeastern Colorado -- Water banking in Colorado: an experiment in trouble? -- Estimating conservable water in the Klamath Irrigation Project -- Socio-economic impacts of land retirement in Westlands Water District -- EPDM rubber lining system chosen to save valuable irrigation water -- A user-centered approach to develop decision support systems for estimating pumping and augmentation needs in Colorado's South Platte basin -- Utah's Tri-County Automation Project -- Using HEC-RAS to model canal systems -- Potential water and energy conservation and improved flexibility for water users in the Oasis area of the Coachella Valley Water District, California

Screening of sustainable groundwater sources for integration into a regional drought-prone water supply system

This paper reports on the qualitative and quantitative screening of groundwater sources for integration into the public water supply system of the Algarve, Portugal. The results are employed in a decision support system currently under development for an integrated water resources management scheme in the region. Such a scheme is crucial for several reasons, including the extreme seasonal and annual variations in rainfall, the effect of climate change on more frequent and long-lasting droughts, the continuously increasing water demand and the high risk of a single-source water supply policy. The latter was revealed during the severe drought of 2004 and 2005, when surface reservoirs were depleted and the regional water demand could not be met, despite the drilling of emergency wells. For screening and selection, quantitative criteria are based on aquifer properties and well yields, whereas qualitative criteria are defined by water quality indices. These reflect the well’s degree of violation of drinking water standards for different sets of variables, including toxicity parameters, nitrate and chloride, iron and manganese and microbiological parameters. Results indicate the current availability of at least 1100 l s−1 of high quality groundwater (55% of the regional demand), requiring only disinfection (900 l s−1) or basic treatment, prior to human consumption. These groundwater withdrawals are sustainable when compared to mean annual recharge, considering that at least 40% is preserved for ecological demands. A more accurate and comprehensive analysis of sustainability is performed with the help of steady-state and transient groundwater flow simulations, which account for aquifer geometry, boundary conditions, recharge and discharge rates, pumping activity and season. ([email protected]) ality. They permit an advanced analysis of present and future scenarios and show that increasing water demands and decreasing rainfall will make the water supply system extremely vulnerable, with a high risk of groundwater salinization and ecosystem degradation

Implementating the water safety planning in the Republic of Moldova

Introduction. Water safety planning is a comprehensive risk assessment and risk management approach that includes all steps in a drinking-water supply chain, from catchment to consumer. A Water Safety Plan (WSP) is a plan to ensure the safety of drinking water through this approach. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes WSP as the most reliable and effective way to manage drinking-water supplies to safeguard public health. WSPs provide a proactive approach to ensure water safety through good management of the complete water supply system. This involves understanding the complete system, identifying where and how problems could arise, setting up barriers and control systems to prevent problems before they occur and ensure that all parts of the system continue to function properly. The successful development and implementation of WSPs can help improve the understanding of the water supply system, improve stakeholder collaboration, improve operational efficiencies of the utility and provide a strong framework to better target more sustainable long-term capital investments. Material and methods. This research was aimed to evaluate the existing tools for developing WSPs and identify gaps in the process, as well as to identify ways to support water operators and local authorities in developing WSPs based on a risk assessment of their water supply systems. Results. To support water supply operators and local authorities in the development of WSPs, two UNECE-supported training workshops were organized in 2015 and 2016 for 50 water supply systems, mostly urban, but also including 10 small rural operators. In 2017, by the joint order no. 609/65/2017 of Ministry of Health and Ministry of Environment, the National Guidelines for the Development of a Water Safety Plan were adopted and entered into force. To ensure the participation of territorial Public Health Centers in the process, a training was organized for public health professionals on the presentation of the provisions of the Guidelines and the role of public health in coordination. This Guidance provides necessary support and describes all the 9 steps to be followed in this process: (i) Assemble a local team involving all relevant stakeholders (water operator, municipality, local community, school, NGO, public health, local entrepreneurs; (ii)evaluation and description of water supply system; (iii) identification of hazards and assessing risks; (iv) risk prioritization, establishing and validation of control measures; (v)monitoring of control measures; (vi) preparation of management procedures; (vii) validation and verification of monitoring; (viii) developing supporting programs; (ix) documentation and registration. Taking into account that water operators have different levels of understanding and skills, it was decided to develop different models of Water Safety Plans in order to support them in practice. As a result, we have developed WSP in 2 locations: Carpineni, Hincesti, which is the largest rural settlement in Republic of Moldova, having a complex water supply system (artesian wells and springs) and Serpeni, AneniiNoi, which operates a water treatment plant. This makes possible to disseminate better practices in WSP development and implementation. Conclusions. Benefits of implementation of WSP results in better protection of public health, maximizing existing resources, improving water supply practices, providing a decision-making framework for all stakeholders, as well as encouraging investments in water supply system based on risk assessment

Risk and sustainability assessment (RSA) framework for ‘water scarcity – water reuse’ situations: Conceptualisation, operationalisation, and testing

The number of regions undergoing water scarcity, where the quantity of available water is not enough to meet human demand, is expected to increase in the future. Water reuse measures have been widely implemented to face these situations as a means of increasing the supply of water resources. Thus, ‘water scarcity – water reuse’ (WS-WR) situations will likely become more common. In these cases, water resources management to secure enough water supply is key. Risk and sustainability concepts have been consolidated as guiding discourses that also support the management of water resources. In particular, in the case of WS-WR situations, they can guide decision-makers towards reducing the risk of water scarcity and striving for the implementation of sustainable water reuse measures. In particular, the use of risk and sustainability assessments helps to deal with various social, economic, and environmental requirements and constraints. However, there is still the call for a more comprehensive and integrated assessments. This dissertation aims at providing new ideas for the integration of risk and sustainability in the case of WS-WR situations. Three objectives guide this research: (A) to develop a conceptual assessment framework to support decision-making concerning sustainable water reuse in regions facing risk of water scarcity; (B) to advance the conceptual framework interrelating existing risk and sustainability assessment methodologies and indicators in the context of decision support; and (C) to test the conceptual and methodological framework using a case study in Latin America. Each objective is associated with a research question: (RQ1) How is decision-making regarding water reuse understood and supported towards reducing the risk of water scarcity sustainably – and how can it be represented in a conceptual assessment framework?; (RQ2) How can a conceptual framework for assessing water reuse as sustainable water scarcity risk reduction measures be operationalised through a methodological framework?; and (RQ3) What are the findings from testing the framework in a case study – and what can be incorporated into the framework? Each objective and its respective research question was addressed as a separate step of the research approach, comprising the development of an integrated Risk and Sustainability Assessment (RSA) Framework for WS-WR situations, its operationalisation and testing. The research approach followed a deductive to inductive rationale relying on qualitative and quantitative methods. The outputs of this research are three scientific publications that build this cumulative dissertation (two published and one submitted for revision). The development of the conceptual framework followed three steps: (i) defining the concepts of ‘water scarcity’, ‘water reuse’, ‘risk’ and ‘risk assessment’, ‘sustainability’ and ‘sustainability assessment’, and ‘decision-making’; (ii) integrating these concepts by interpreting water scarcity from a risk perspective and water reuse from a sustainability perspective, and relating assessments with decision-making; and (iii) structuring the RSA Framework, following a risk assessment and framing it by the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainability. Results allowed defining decision-making in WS-WR situations as a four-step cyclic process that can be supported by an integrated RSA that comprises an analysis (descriptive and objective) and evaluation (subjective). The methodological aspects for the operationalisation of the RSA conceptual framework focused mainly on developing an analytical concept to support an adequate derivation of the information required in an integrated RSA for WS-WR situations. The resulting concept is based on (i) understanding the WS-WR situation as a Coupled Human and Natural System (CHANS) and identifying the main biophysical elements (endpoints); (ii) translating the CHANS endpoints into an information system via a Multi-Layer (ML) approach using generic descriptors and specific indicators; and (iii) identifying and characterising interlinkages between the indicators via a Lane-Based (LB) approach. Additional methodological aspects related to the evaluation include the use of indicator-based multi-criteria decision-making methods that include the weighting and aggregation of these indicators, as well as the selection of threshold values as evaluation criteria. The testing of the integrated RSA Framework was carried out in Cerrillos de Tamaya, Chile. It involved an ex-post RSA of a water reuse measure implemented in 2018 to face the local water scarcity situation. The testing included (i) describing the case study location and adapting the RSA Framework to fit the local context; (ii) translating the case study’s CHANS via the ML approach and identifying and characterising interlinkages via the LB approach; and (iii) evaluating the degree of risk of water scarcity and sustainability of water reuse via the distance-based method TOPSIS. The results of the testing provided feedback for the RSA Framework. These mainly referred to the influence of the conceptualisation behind the indicators and their use, and the methodological challenges for integrating risk and sustainability evaluation. Further recommendations to the RSA framework are: the inclusion of interlinkage directionality; the use of existing system dynamics modelling approaches (e.g., CLD, SFD); the development of an established database of indicators; the automation of the interlinkages analysis (LB approach); and advance the use of scenarios for sustainability evaluation for better coupling with risk evaluation methods. Overall this research provides evidence of (a) the conceptual integration of risk and sustainability discourses under one decision support framework for the case of WS-WR situations; (b) the use of a system thinking approach for interpreting the WS-WR situation; (c) the relevance of indicators as a means of representing the situation; (d) the interlinkage of social, economic, environmental information; (e) the benefits of the use of conceptual maps; (f) gaps in the process of measuring the effect of water reuse on water scarcity levels via indicators; (g) the gap between a simulation-based risk assessment and a snapshot-focused sustainability assessment that hinders an operational integration; (h) the possibility of the RSA framework to bridge a system thinking view with a traditional assessment-based decision-making view.:Acknowledgements Abstract Contents List of Figures List of Tables Acronyms and Abbreviations Symbols Chapter 1 - Introduction 1.1 Background and problem statement 1.1.1 Water resources for water security 1.1.2 Risk and sustainability discourses for water-related decision-making 1.1.3 Problem statement and research focus 1.2 Objectives and research questions 1.3 Research approach and structure of the document 1.3.1 Research approach 1.3.2 Structure of the document 1.4 Chapter references Chapter 2 - Conceptual Framework 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Developing the conceptual framework 2.2.1 Definition and interpretation of the subject at stake 2.2.2 Identification and definition of key concepts 2.2.3 Construction of the conceptual framework 2.3 Results and discussion 2.3.1 Defining and interpreting the ‘water scarcity – water reuse’ situation 2.3.2 Identifying and defining key concepts 2.3.3 Construction of the integrated RSA Framework 2.4 Conclusions and outlook 2.5 Acknowledgements 2.6 Chapter references Chapter 3 - Methodological Aspects 3.1 Introduction 3.2 RSA Framework for a WS-WR situation 3.3 Systems thinking in a WS-WR situation 3.3.1 Identifying elements of a WS-WR situation and its interpretation as a system 3.3.2 Translation of the CHANS into an information system 3.4 Characterisation and interlinkage of indicators 3.4.1 Type and number of indicators 3.4.2 Type and number of interlinkages 3.4.3 Indicator connectivity 3.4.4 Structuring via a lane-based approach 3.5 RSA analytical concept and exemplification 3.5.1 RSA analytical concept 3.5.2 Exemplification of the analyitical concept 3.6 Discussion 3.6.1 Translating the CHANS into an information system 3.6.2 Supporting decision-making via the analytical concept 3.7 Conclusions 3.8 Acknowledgements 3.9 Chapter references Chapter 4 - Framework Testing 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Approach 4.2.1 RSA Framework 4.2.2 Case study site 4.3 Results 4.3.1 Analysis 4.3.2 Evaluation 4.3.3 General results for the case 4.4 Discussion 4.4.1 Analysis 4.4.2 Evaluation 4.4.3 Overall discussion on the testing of the RSA Framework 4.5 Conclusions 4.6 Acknowledgements 4.7 Chapter References Chapter 5 - Synthesis 5.1 Conceptual aspects 5.2 Methodological aspects 5.3 Testing aspects 5.4 Placing the RSA Framework in a broader context 5.5 Chapter References Chapter 6 - Conclusions and Outlook Annexes Annex A - Literature review: Found records Annex B - Example list of endpoints, descriptors, indicators, and attributes Annex C - Technique for Order Preference by Similarly to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) Annex D - Translation into the Information System (from endpoints to attributes) Annex E - Interlinkages Identification Matrix Annex F - List of Most Interlinked Indicators (MII) Annex G - List of indicators, scores, and threshold

Stochastic gradient approach for energy and supply optimisation in water systems management

Under conditions of water scarcity, energy saving in operation of water pumping plants and the minimisation of water deficit for users and activities are frequently contrasting requirements, which should be considered when optimising large-scale multi-reservoirs and multi-users water supply systems. Undoubtedly, a high uncertainty level in predicted water resources due to hydrologic input variability and water demand behaviour characterizes this problem. The aim of this paper is to provide an efficient decision support system considering emergency water pumping plants activation schedules. The obtained results should allow the water system’s authority to adopt a robust decision policy, minimising the risk of harmful future decisions concerning the water resource management. The model has been here developed to manage this problem, in order to reduce the damages due to shortage of water and the energy-cost requirements of pumping plants. Particularly, in optimisation, we look for optimal rules considering both historical and generated synthetic scenarios of hydrologic inputs to reservoirs. Hence, using synthetic series, we can analyse climate change impacts and optimise the activation rules considering future hydrologic occurrences. A simulation model has been coupled with an optimization module using the stochastic gradient method to get robust pumping activation thresholds. This method allows to solve complex problems, solving efficiently large size real cases due to high number of data and variables. Thresholds values are identified in terms of critical storage levels in supply-reservoirs. Application of the modelling approach has been developed on a real case study in a water-shortage prone area in south-Sardinia (Italy), characterized by Mediterranean climate and high annual variability in hydrological input to reservoirs. By applying the combined simulation procedure, a robust decision strategy in pumping activation was obtained. Developing the stochastic gradient model, a main programming supports has been built by MATLAB efficiently interfaced with CPLEX for optimisation and Excel for inputs and results representation

Applying the water safety plan to water reuse: towards a conceptual risk management framework

The Water Safety Plan (WSP) is receiving increasing attention as a recommended risk management approach for water reuse through a range of research programmes, guidelines and standards. Numerous conceptual modifications of the approach – including the Sanitation Safety Plan, the Water Cycle Safety Plan, and even a dedicated Water Reuse Safety Plan – have been put forward for this purpose. However, these approaches have yet to encapsulate the full spectrum of possible water reuse applications, and evidence of their application to reuse remains limited. Through reviewing the existing evidence base, this paper investigates the potential for adapting the WSP into an approach for water reuse. The findings highlight a need for the management of risk to reflect on, and facilitate the inclusion of, broader contexts and objectives for water reuse schemes. We conclude that this could be addressed through a more integrated approach to risk management, encapsulated within an overarching risk management framework (adapted from the WHO's Framework for safe drinking water) and operationalised through the Water Reuse Safety Plan (WRSP). We also propose that the WRSP should be based on modifications to the existing WSP approach, including an increased emphasis on supporting communication and engagement, and improvements in decision support mechanisms to better account for uncertainty, risk interactions and risk prioritisation

Bayesian networks as a decision support tool for rural water supply and sanitation sector

Despite the efforts made towards the Millennium Development Goals targets during the last decade, still millions of people across the world lack of improved access to water supply or basic sanitation. The increasing complexity of the context in which these services are delivered is not properly captured by the conventional approaches that pursue to assess water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) interventions. Instead, a holistic framework is required to integrate the wide range of aspects which are influencing sustainable and equitable provision of safe water and sanitation, especially to those in vulnerable situations. In this context, the WaSH Poverty Index (WaSH-PI) was adopted, as a multi-dimensional policy tool that tackles the links between access to basic services and the socio-economic drivers of poverty. Nevertheless, this approach does not fully describe the increasing interdependency of the reality. For this reason, appropriate Decision Support Systems (DSS) are required to i) inform about the results achieved in past and current interventions, and to ii) determine expected impacts of future initiatives, particularly taking into account envisaged investments to reach the targets set by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This would provide decision-makers with adequate information to define strategies and actions that are efficient, effective, and sustainable. This master thesis explores the use of object-oriented Bayesian networks (ooBn) as a powerful instrument to support project planning and monitoring, as well as targeting and prioritization. Based on WaSH-PI theoretical framework, a simple ooBn model has been developed and applied to reflect the main issues that determine access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene. A case study is presented in Kenya, where the Government launched in 2008 a national program aimed to increase the access to improved water, sanitation and hygiene in 22 of the 47 existing districts. Main impacts resulted from this initiative are assessed and compared against the initial situation. This research concludes that the proposed approach is able to accommodate the conditions at different scales, at the same time that reflects the complexities of WaSH-related issues. Additionally, this DSS represents an effective management tool to support decisionmakers to formulate informed choices between alternative actions

Adaptation of WASH Services Delivery to Climate Change and Other Sources of Risk and Uncertainty

This report urges WASH sector practitioners to take more seriously the threat of climate change and the consequences it could have on their work. By considering climate change within a risk and uncertainty framework, the field can use the multitude of approaches laid out here to adequately protect itself against a range of direct and indirect impacts. Eleven methods and tools for this specific type of risk management are described, including practical advice on how to implement them successfully