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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Social Ecology and Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (26 March 2023) | Viewed by 26076

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Abel Silva Vieira

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Guest Editor

School of Engineering and Built Environment and Cities Research Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia
Interests: water footprint; water-energy nexus; nexus

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue on Sustainable Water Use addresses the nexus of water use as an enabler for the sustainability of environmental, social and economic systems. Cutting-edge meta-analyses, critical reviews, frameworks, case studies, modelling and empirical evaluations are invited for this Special Issue, which will include international and cross-disciplinary studies on sustainable water use. From an environmental perspective, the issue will focus on studies which further the academic knowledge and industry practices (e.g. emerging technologies, strategic frameworks, monitoring and design tools, etc.) to improve the environmental performance of the water and wastewater sectors, as well as water end use sectors. Environmental analyses may include, but are not limited to, water end use efficiency, water pollution control, water-energy-carbon nexus, water for energy and energy for water generation, water-related environmental services, chemical and biological environmental indicators, etc. Studies on the social-economic aspects of sustainable water use may include, but are not limited to, water governance, integrated water management frameworks, urban water infrastructure synergies, project management approaches for sustainable water projects, water-based strategic land use planning, demand side management strategies, water price instruments, water for economic prosperity, water–energy–food nexus, water supply and stormwater modelling and planning, alternative water supply, alternative wastewater treatment, water demand for hydrogen production as an energy carrier, circular economy of water and wastewater systems, urban water lifecycle analyses, water end use studies, waterways access for social livability, waterways importance for urban economy, coastal hazard adaptation strategies, climate change-related water crises, etc. The selected peer-reviewed studies in this Special Issue will provide cutting-edge insights into the current and future trends of approaches to use water in a sustainable manner, as well as indicate unsustainable water use patterns and risks. Ultimately, the Special Issue will provide a holistic view of the importance of sustainable water use to maintain thriving environmental, economic and social systems concomitantly.

Dr. Abel Silva Vieira
Guest Editor

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Keywords

sustainable water use
water resources management
water–energy–climate–food nexus
emerging water technologies
strategic water governance frameworks
monitoring and design tools

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 3503 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Colorado River (Argentina) Water Crisis Scenarios and Influence on Irrigation Water Quality Conditions

by Mariano Trillini, Jorge Omar Pierini, Federico Danilo Vallese, Luciana Dunel Guerra and Marcelo Fabian Pistonesi

Sustainability 2023, 15(11), 8457; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15118457 - 23 May 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2029

Abstract

The characterization and evaluation of water quality in the Valle Bonaerense del Río Colorado (VBRC), Buenos Aires, Argentina, is necessary, given the immense importance of this region for sustaining the population livelihoods and maintaining the ecological balance, especially in the face of drought and climate change scenarios, and loss of crop production yields. This study evaluated the possible reuse of drainage canals from the perspective of their use for irrigation. Surface water samples were collected at four sampling sites during 2015–2021, one over the Colorado river entering the VBRC, and the remaining three drainage canals flow into the Atlantic Ocean. These physicochemical parameters were performed following the protocols proposed using standard methods: total dissolved solids, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, carbonates, bicarbonates, chlorides, sulfates and sodium adsorption ratio were analyzed and classified. The irrigation water quality index (IWQI), principal component analysis, hierarchy of classes analysis and statistical analysis were applied to the dataset. The general hydrochemistry of the VBRC river water indicates a slightly alkaline nature, with a mean pH value of 8.03, and the predominance order of the major ions follows the pattern of Na⁺ > Ca²⁺ > Mg²⁺ > K⁺, and SO₄²⁻ > Cl⁻ > HCO₃⁻ + CO₃²⁻ for the anions. For the IWQI, 88.06% of the samples analyzed were classified as safe water for irrigation, and a theoretical yield loss was estimated for crops considering the salinity variable, with vegetables showing the highest losses. The surface water from rivers increases the EC due to the decrease in its discharge because of the water crisis affecting Latin America. Water reuse could be useful for one of the three drainage canals. This study concludes that the reuse of drainage water (S2) has great potential as an adaptation strategy to address the water scarcity and climate change challenges in the Colorado river basin. The research highlights the importance of considering this alternative to achieve sustainable water management in the region. Moreover, the data obtained from the study can be used for making policy and resource management decisions. In view of the possible scenarios of low water flow and increases in the EC values, it is recommended to reorient agricultural production toward crops with higher tolerance to salinity as an alternative, to ensure the sustainability and viability of production in the basin. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Water Use)

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21 pages, 7285 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Groundwater Recharge Estimation in Upper Gelana Watershed, South-Western Main Ethiopian Rift Valley

by Endale Siyoum Demissie, Demisachew Yilma Gashaw, Andarge Alaro Altaye, Solomon S. Demissie and Gebiaw T. Ayele

Sustainability 2023, 15(3), 1763; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15031763 - 17 Jan 2023

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2406

Abstract

Estimating the spatial and temporal patterns of groundwater recharge through integrated water balance modeling plays an important role in sustainable groundwater resource management. Such modeling effort is particularly essential for data-scarce regions, such as the Rift Valley Lake basin in the Basement Complex of Ethiopia, which has shallow aquifers, a proliferation of wells, and poor groundwater monitoring networks. A spatially distributed water balance model (WetSpass), along with GIS and remote sensing tools, was used for groundwater recharge estimation for its suitability and efficiency in data-scarce hydrogeological regions. The WetSpass model depicted a very good performance in simulating the groundwater recharge in the Upper Gelana watershed within the Rift Valley Lake basin. The water balance analysis revealed that about 7% of the mean annual rainfall is converted to groundwater recharge, and the remaining rainfall amounts are partitioned into surface runoff (19%) and evapotranspiration (75%). The model simulation outputs are also used to investigate the relative influences of biophysical driving factors on the water balance components. While the land use types had a greater influence on the actual evapotranspiration processes, the soil texture classes were the dominant factors in the surface runoff and groundwater recharge processes in the watershed. The groundwater recharge rates were found to be higher than 400 mm/yr in the central parts (Fisehagenent, Tore, and Gedeb) and lower than 165 mm/yr in the southern parts (Hageremariam) of the watershed. The areal proportions of the low, medium, and high recharging parts of the watershed are, respectively, estimated as 15%, 68%, and 17% of the watershed area. Therefore, the spatial and temporal patterns of groundwater recharge should be taken into consideration in developing a sustainable groundwater resources management plan for the Upper Gelana watershed. Managed aquifer recharge can be adopted in high and medium groundwater recharging parts of the watershed to capture stormwater runoff during the wet season to improve the groundwater supply during dry months. Furthermore, monthly groundwater withdrawals should be regulated according to the spatial and temporal patterns of the groundwater recharge in the watershed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Water Use)

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22 pages, 5700 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Resilient and Nature-Based Drinking Water Supply Source for Saline and Arsenic Prone Coastal Aquifers of the Bengal Delta

by Khurshid Jahan, Anwar Zahid, Md Abul Ehsan Bhuiyan and Iqbal Ali

Sustainability 2022, 14(11), 6703; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14116703 - 30 May 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4650

Abstract

Salinity causes a hostile environmental impact throughout the year in the coastal region of Bangladesh, and its severity increases day by day. Because of upstream freshwater flow reduction and massive groundwater extraction, salinity has increased substantially over the last three decades. Moreover, arsenic contamination in shallow groundwater makes the groundwater unsuitable for potable use. Consequently, the coastal area suffers from acute storage of safe water supply. Salinity also negatively impacts human activities, livelihood, agricultural production, and the aquatic ecosystem. Though the shallow aquifer contains high salinity and a small amount of Arsenic (As), the very shallow aquifer (within 3m to 8m) contains fresh water in many areas in the rainy season due to the direct recharge of rainwater. However, rainfall recharge varies significantly depending on the geological and hydrogeological settings. Specifically, up to 50% of annual rainfall is stored in shallow aquifers of Quaternary sands through direct infiltration. The research’s principal objective is to identify the safe and sustainable drinking water source in the arsenic and saline-prone coastal region. Groundwater samples were collected from the different locations of the study area during both dry and wet seasons and examined seasonal variations in groundwater table and salinity levels. The chemical analyses and Physico-chemical parameters indicate that the groundwater samples are suitable for drinking. Except for some groundwater samples from the wet season, the salinity of all samples was under the allowable limit for Bangladesh (<2000 µS/cm), and the targeted aquifer was almost arsenic (50 µg/l) free. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis has been made to accomplish the study goals. Particularly, the groundwater’s electrical conductivity (EC) values of most samples were measured within the limit of fresh or brackish water (<2000 μS/cm). Overall, the results indicate the prospect of a very shallow aquifer as a source of freshwater for drinking purposes throughout the year, considering both arsenic and salinity, which effectively solve the freshwater shortage, especially in the saline-arsenic prone area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Water Use)

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16 pages, 3321 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Benchmarking Water Efficiency in Public School Buildings

by Rafael Almeida Flores and Enedir Ghisi

Sustainability 2022, 14(7), 3794; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14073794 - 23 Mar 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2377

Abstract

The operation of buildings is significant among the human activities that withdraw water from nature, and evaluating the water efficiency of buildings is essential for sustainable development. Hence, this paper aims to assess the water efficiency in school buildings to identify benchmarks that could be used as targets in water-saving initiatives alongside highlighting which type of variable is more influential for each building. A cluster benchmarking system was developed and applied to 82 public school buildings in Florianópolis, Brazil. Data were obtained from the state water supply company and both state and municipal education departments. Water consumption drivers were defined through a literature review and the language R was used for clustering the sample. Water efficiency was then evaluated using suitable indicators for occupation conditions, building rooms and spaces and water appliances. High and low-efficiency buildings were identified in the five clusters generated through the k-means algorithm. Schools with excessively low or high consumption that could be related either to the under-measurement or leaks were identified, which is useful for water network management. In conclusion, water-efficient school buildings were highlighted as benchmarks and the type of variables that should be addressed for enhancing the accuracy of water-saving initiatives were highlighted. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Water Use)

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30 pages, 7831 KiB

Open AccessArticle

What Governance Failures Reveal about Water Resources Management in a Municipality of Brazil

by Valérie Nicollier, Marcos Eduardo Cordeiro Bernardes and Asher Kiperstok

Sustainability 2022, 14(4), 2144; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14042144 - 14 Feb 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3667

Abstract

Humans have historically chosen to develop their cities close to rivers due to the need for water and food security. In Brazil, water security represents a growing challenge, despite advances in the National Water Resources Management System. While municipalities are responsible for integrating the various public policies that impact urban rivers, such as the environment, basic sanitation, and urban planning, only states and the federal government, along with watershed committees, have a formal role in the National Water Resources Management System. The goal of this paper is to assess the Brazilian water governance system from the perspective of municipalities. The OECD water governance framework is applied to a medium-sized Brazilian municipality (c. 200,000 inhabitants), Itabuna, Bahia state, through perception-based and objective data. Studies dealing with water governance do not address this reality, despite representing more than 90% Brazilian municipalities and approximately half of the country’s population. Several water governance failures were identified, such as connections between administrative and political failures, which highlight the tragic consequences of hydrological issues in this region. Developing integrated water resources’ management, as fixed in national and state laws, depends on the effective participation of the municipality. This study discusses the importance of water governance at the municipal scale. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Water Use)

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36 pages, 7582 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Framework for Archive Demand Management Strategies: A Pilot Study on Water Use in a Low-Income Brazilian Area

by Gabriella Botelho, Mariza Mello, Asher Kiperstok and Karla Oliveira-Esquerre

Sustainability 2022, 14(1), 406; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010406 - 31 Dec 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2255

Abstract

This study presents a pilot study in suburban households in Salvador, Brazil, inserted in the context of a framework developed to aid water demand management strategies. The framework aims to understand the barrier of subjectivity while identifying consumption habit patterns in households. Six key sets of components create the framework architecture: (1) characterization of the area based on: context, climate, population/area, population growth rate, and water management challenges; (2) a survey to obtain socio-demographic and physical property data of the sample; (3) smart metering and data processing systems to monitor sample water end use; (4) determining daily consumption patterns; (5) analyzing qualitative data through theoretical consumption models to identify relevant variables for the next step; and (6) construction of representative mathematical models of consumption for each daily practice (this item was not included on pilot). It provides a starting point to understand how water demand management strategies can be supported at the user and decision-making level. As a result, improvements to the interview guides used in the pilot were suggested. Furthermore, customized measures to promote rational water consumption were identified in the study area, and policies could be proposed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Water Use)

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22 pages, 6609 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Water Resource Management: Moving from Single Risk-Based Management to Resilience to Multiple Stressors

by Sarah Bunney, Elizabeth Lawson, Sarah Cotterill and David Butler

Sustainability 2021, 13(15), 8609; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158609 - 2 Aug 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3663

Abstract

Water resource management in the UK is multifaceted, with a complexity of issues arising from acute and chronic stressors. Below average rainfall in spring 2020 coincided with large-scale changes to domestic water consumption patterns, arising from the first UK-wide COVID-19 lockdown, resulting in increased pressure on nationwide resources. A sector wide survey, semi-structured interviews with sector executives, meteorological data, water resource management plans and market information were used to evaluate the impact of acute and chronic threats on water demand in the UK, and how resilience to both can be increased. The COVID-19 pandemic was a particularly acute threat: water demand increased across the country, it was unpredictable and hard to forecast, and compounding this, below average rainfall resulted in some areas having to tanker in water to ‘top up’ the network. This occurred in regions of the UK that are ‘water stressed’ as well as those that are not. We therefore propose a need to look beyond ‘design droughts’ and ‘dry weather average demand’ to characterise the management and resilience of future water resources. As a sector, we can learn from this acute threat and administer a more integrated approach, combining action on the social value of water, the implementation of water trading and the development of nationwide multi-sectoral resilience plans to better respond to short and long-term disruptors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Water Use)

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11 pages, 1756 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Developing Generalised Equation for the Calculation of PayBack Period for Rainwater Harvesting Systems

by Monzur A. Imteaz, Maryam Bayatvarkeshi and Md. Rezaul Karim

Sustainability 2021, 13(8), 4266; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13084266 - 12 Apr 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3517

Abstract

Many end-users for the stormwater harvesting systems are reluctant in implementing the system due to uncertainties of the potential returns for their investment for such system. A common practice of presenting potential benefit of a certain investment is through calculation of payback period using net annual benefit from the system. Traditional practice of doing such payback period analysis for rainwater tanks was considering individual building/roof, system volume, and specific investment cost. It is not feasible to conduct such analysis for each and every rainwater harvesting system installed in different buildings. To overcome this tedious practice, this study presents development of a generalised equation for the estimation of payback period for rainwater tanks based on roof area, initial cost, and rate of return. Based on an earlier study, several payback periods were calculated for different roof sizes, initial costs, and rate of return. It was found that all these variables can be correlated and embedded into a base equation of power function. Final developed equation results were compared with the payback periods calculated through traditional practice considering net annual savings and net present value of cumulative savings. It is found that the developed equation can estimate payback periods with very good accuracies; for all the selected internal rates of return correlation values ranging from 0.99 to 1.0 were achieved. Corresponding coefficient of determinations varied from 0.988 to 0.993. Furthermore, it is found that for a fixed roof area and rate of return, the payback period is having a power relationship (having an exponent less than 1.0) with the initial cost. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Water Use)

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