Water

Editorial

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3 pages, 169 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

10th Anniversary of Water

by Jeroen C. J. H. Aerts

Water 2020, 12(5), 1366; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12051366 - 12 May 2020

Viewed by 2126

Abstract

This Special Issue was set up to mark the 10th anniversary of Water. The contributions to this Special Issue of Water were carefully selected by the late Guest Editor Prof. Dr. Arjen Hoekstra. Arjen was devoted to conducting excellent science and was [...] Read more.

This Special Issue was set up to mark the 10th anniversary of Water. The contributions to this Special Issue of Water were carefully selected by the late Guest Editor Prof. Dr. Arjen Hoekstra. Arjen was devoted to conducting excellent science and was motivated to create this Special Issue to be something ‘special’. It was therefore dedicated to the publication of 11 comprehensive papers and reviews encompassing the most significant developments in the realm of water sciences in the last decade. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 10th Anniversary of Water)

Research

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22 pages, 258 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Water Governance Reform Framework: Overview and Applications to Australia, Mexico, Tanzania, U.S.A and Vietnam

by R. Quentin Grafton, Dustin Garrick, Ana Manero and Thang Nam Do

Water 2019, 11(1), 137; https://doi.org/10.3390/w11010137 - 14 Jan 2019

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 10005

Abstract

The world faces critical water risks in relation to water availability, yet water demand is increasing in most countries. To respond to these risks, some governments and water authorities are reforming their governance frameworks to achieve convergence between water supply and demand and [...] Read more.

The world faces critical water risks in relation to water availability, yet water demand is increasing in most countries. To respond to these risks, some governments and water authorities are reforming their governance frameworks to achieve convergence between water supply and demand and ensure freshwater ecosystem services are sustained. To assist in this reform process, the Water Governance Reform Framework (WGRF) is proposed, which includes seven key strategic considerations: (1) well-defined and publicly available reform objectives; (2) transparency in decision-making and public access to available data; (3) water valuation of uses and non-uses to assess trade-offs and winners and losers; (4) compensation for the marginalized or mitigation for persons who are disadvantaged by reform; (5) reform oversight and “champions”; (6) capacity to deliver; and (7) resilient decision-making. Using these reform criteria, we assess current and possible water reforms in five countries: Murray–Darling Basin (Australia); Rufiji Basin (Tanzania); Colorado Basin (USA and Mexico); and Vietnam. We contend that the WGRF provides a valuable approach to both evaluate and to improve water governance reform and, if employed within a broader water policy cycle, will help deliver both improved water outcomes and more effective water reforms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 10th Anniversary of Water)

19 pages, 4086 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Robust Assessment of Uncertain Freshwater Changes: The Case of Greece with Large Irrigation—and Climate-Driven Runoff Decrease

by Georgia Destouni and Carmen Prieto

Water 2018, 10(11), 1645; https://doi.org/10.3390/w10111645 - 13 Nov 2018

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4569

Abstract

We develop a data-driven approach to robustly assess freshwater changes due to climate change and/or human irrigation developments by use of the overarching constraints of catchment water balance. This is applied to and tested in the high-uncertainty case of Greece for five nested [...] Read more.

We develop a data-driven approach to robustly assess freshwater changes due to climate change and/or human irrigation developments by use of the overarching constraints of catchment water balance. This is applied to and tested in the high-uncertainty case of Greece for five nested catchments of different scales across the country and for freshwater changes from an early period (1930–1949) with small human influences on climate and irrigation to a recent period (1990–2009) with expected greater such influences. The results show more or less equal contributions from climatic decrease in precipitation and from human irrigation development to a considerable total decrease in runoff (R) over Greece. This is on average −75 ± 10 mm/year and is greatest for the Ionian catchment in the west (−119 ± 18 mm/year) and the Peloponnese catchment in the south (−91 ± 16 mm/year). For evapotranspiration (ET), a climate-driven decrease component and an irrigation-driven increase component have led to a net total increase of ET over Greece. This is on average 26 ± 7 mm/year and is greatest for the Mainland catchment (29 ± 7 mm/year) and the Aegean catchment in the east (28 ± 6 mm/year). Overall, the resulting uncertainties in the water-balance constrained estimates of R and ET changes are smaller than the input data uncertainties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 10th Anniversary of Water)

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21 pages, 2545 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

A Philosophical Justification for a Novel Analysis-Supported, Stakeholder-Driven Participatory Process for Water Resources Planning and Decision Making

by David R. Purkey, Marisa Isabel Escobar Arias, Vishal K. Mehta, Laura Forni, Nicholas J. Depsky, David N. Yates and Walter N. Stevenson

Water 2018, 10(8), 1009; https://doi.org/10.3390/w10081009 - 31 Jul 2018

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 7490

Abstract

Two trends currently shape water resources planning and decision making: reliance on participatory stakeholder processes to evaluate water management options; and growing recognition that deterministic approaches to the evaluation of options may not be appropriate. These trends pose questions regarding the proper role [...] Read more.

Two trends currently shape water resources planning and decision making: reliance on participatory stakeholder processes to evaluate water management options; and growing recognition that deterministic approaches to the evaluation of options may not be appropriate. These trends pose questions regarding the proper role of information, analysis, and expertise in the inherently social and political process of negotiating agreements and implementing interventions in the water sector. The question of how one might discover the best option in the face of deep uncertainty is compelling. The question of whether the best option even exists to be discovered is more vexing. While such existential questions are not common in the water management community, they are not new to political theory. This paper explores early classical writing related to issues of knowledge and governance as captured in the work of Plato and Aristotle; and then attempts to place a novel, analysis-supported, stakeholder-driven water resources planning and decision making practice within this philosophical discourse, making reference to current decision theory. Examples from the Andes and California, where this practice has been used to structure participation by key stakeholders in water management planning and decision-making, argue that when a sufficiently diverse group of stakeholders is engaged in the decision making process expecting the discovery of the perfect option may not be warranted. Simply discovering a consensus option may be more realistic. The argument touches upon the diversity of preferences, model credibility and the visualization of model output required to explore the implications of various management options across a broad range of inherently unknowable future conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 10th Anniversary of Water)

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Review

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17 pages, 662 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Urban Hydroinformatics: Past, Present and Future

by C. Makropoulos and D. A. Savić

Water 2019, 11(10), 1959; https://doi.org/10.3390/w11101959 - 20 Sep 2019

Cited by 54 | Viewed by 8615

Abstract

Hydroinformatics, as an interdisciplinary domain that blurs boundaries between water science, data science and computer science, is constantly evolving and reinventing itself. At the heart of this evolution, lies a continuous process of critical (self) appraisal of the discipline’s past, present and potential [...] Read more.

Hydroinformatics, as an interdisciplinary domain that blurs boundaries between water science, data science and computer science, is constantly evolving and reinventing itself. At the heart of this evolution, lies a continuous process of critical (self) appraisal of the discipline’s past, present and potential for further evolution, that creates a positive feedback loop between legacy, reality and aspirations. The power of this process is attested by the successful story of hydroinformatics thus far, which has arguably been able to mobilize wide ranging research and development and get the water sector more in tune with the digital revolution of the past 30 years. In this context, this paper attempts to trace the evolution of the discipline, from its computational hydraulics origins to its present focus on the complete socio-technical system, by providing at the same time, a functional framework to improve the understanding and highlight the links between different strands of the state-of-art hydroinformatic research and innovation. Building on this state-of-art landscape, the paper then attempts to provide an overview of key developments that are coming up, on the discipline’s horizon, focusing on developments relevant to urban water management, while at the same time, highlighting important legal, ethical and technical challenges that need to be addressed to ensure that the brightest aspects of this potential future are realized. Despite obvious limitations imposed by a single paper’s ability to report on such a diverse and dynamic field, it is hoped that this work contributes to a better understanding of both the current state of hydroinformatics and to a shared vision on the most exciting prospects for the future evolution of the discipline and the water sector it serves. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 10th Anniversary of Water)

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14 pages, 231 KiB

Open AccessReview

Water, Population Growth and Contagious Diseases

by Maurizio Iaccarino

Water 2019, 11(2), 386; https://doi.org/10.3390/w11020386 - 22 Feb 2019

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 7355

Abstract

Water, essential for the biology of living organisms, is also important for agriculture, for the organization of social life and for culture. In this review we discuss the interrelationship between water availability and human population size. The total population of the globe, 3–5 [...] Read more.

Water, essential for the biology of living organisms, is also important for agriculture, for the organization of social life and for culture. In this review we discuss the interrelationship between water availability and human population size. The total population of the globe, 3–5 million people between the years 25,000 and 5000 Before Common Era (BCE), increased about 50-fold in coincidence with the development of agriculture. Later on, after the year 200 Common Era (CE), the number of people did not change appreciably and increased slowly in the period 1000 to 1500 CE. We show that the main cause of this observed slow-down in population growth was the increase in population density, which caused the appearance and spreading of infectious diseases, often due to the use of contaminated water. Population started to increase again when people learned how to use appropriate sanitation and hygienic rules. The management of water resources, including transport of water to the areas where it is needed, separation and depuration of wastewater and production of freshwater by desalination, have become increasingly important. The population level is today very high and will continue to grow, thus causing a further increase in the density of people and an increased risk of contagious diseases. Therefore, more water for sanitation will be needed all over the world. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 10th Anniversary of Water)

17 pages, 1526 KiB

Open AccessReview

Improving Irrigation Water Use Efficiency: A Review of Advances, Challenges and Opportunities in the Australian Context

by Richard Koech and Philip Langat

Water 2018, 10(12), 1771; https://doi.org/10.3390/w10121771 - 2 Dec 2018

Cited by 190 | Viewed by 22665

Abstract

The demand for fresh water is on the increase, and the irrigation industry in Australia is looking to a future with less water. Irrigation consumes the bulk of the water extracted from various sources, and hence the efficiency of its use is of [...] Read more.

The demand for fresh water is on the increase, and the irrigation industry in Australia is looking to a future with less water. Irrigation consumes the bulk of the water extracted from various sources, and hence the efficiency of its use is of outmost importance. This paper reviewed the advancements made towards improving irrigation water use efficiency (WUE), with a focus on irrigation in Australia but with some examples from other countries. The challenges encountered, as well as the opportunities available, are also discussed. The review showed that improvements in irrigation infrastructure through modernisation and automation have led to water savings. The concept of real-time control and optimisation in irrigation is in its developmental stages but has already demonstrated potential for water savings. The future is likely to see increased use of remote sensing techniques as well as wireless communication systems and more versatile sensors to improve WUE. In many cases, water saved as a result of using efficient technologies ends up being reused to expand the area of land under irrigation, sometimes resulting in a net increase in the total water consumption at the basin scale. Hence, to achieve net water savings, water-efficient technologies and practices need to be used in combination with other measures such as incentives for conservation and appropriate regulations that limit water allocation and use. Factors that affect the trends in the irrigation WUE include engineering and technological innovations, advancements in plant and pasture science, environmental factors, and socio-economic considerations. Challenges that might be encountered include lack of public support, especially when the methods used are not cost-effective, and reluctance of irrigations to adopt new technologies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 10th Anniversary of Water)

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33 pages, 1711 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review of Cost Estimates for Flood Adaptation

by Jeroen C. J. H. Aerts

Water 2018, 10(11), 1646; https://doi.org/10.3390/w10111646 - 13 Nov 2018

Cited by 117 | Viewed by 34715

Abstract

Floods are the most devastating of global natural disasters, and flood adaptation measures are needed to reduce future risk. Researchers have started to evaluate the costs and benefits of flood adaptation, but information regarding the cost of different flood adaptation measures is often [...] Read more.

Floods are the most devastating of global natural disasters, and flood adaptation measures are needed to reduce future risk. Researchers have started to evaluate the costs and benefits of flood adaptation, but information regarding the cost of different flood adaptation measures is often not available or is hidden in non-peer-reviewed literature. Recent review studies have explored cost estimates for different aspects of flood adaptation, such as nature-based solutions. This study aims to contribute empirical data regarding the cost of flood adaptation by compiling peer-reviewed literature and research reports. The focus is on construction costs and expenses for operation and maintenance. This paper integrates the unit cost information of six main flood adaptation measure categories: (1) the flood-proofing of buildings, (2) flood protection, (3) beach nourishment and dunes, (4) nature-based solutions for coastal ecosystems, (5) channel management and nature-based solutions for riverine systems, and (6) urban drainage. Cost estimates are corrected for inflation and converted to U.S. dollars (2016). Measures are described, and cost figures for both developed and developing countries are provided. The results of this study can be used as input for economic-assessment studies on flood adaptation measures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 10th Anniversary of Water)

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17 pages, 2369 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Permeable Pavements Life Cycle Assessment: A Literature Review

by Lucas Niehuns Antunes, Enedir Ghisi and Liseane Padilha Thives

Water 2018, 10(11), 1575; https://doi.org/10.3390/w10111575 - 3 Nov 2018

Cited by 37 | Viewed by 11711

Abstract

The number of studies involving life cycle assessment has increased significantly in recent years. The life cycle assessment has been applied to assess the environmental performance of water infrastructures, including the environmental impacts associated with construction, maintenance and disposal, mainly evaluating the amount [...] Read more.

The number of studies involving life cycle assessment has increased significantly in recent years. The life cycle assessment has been applied to assess the environmental performance of water infrastructures, including the environmental impacts associated with construction, maintenance and disposal, mainly evaluating the amount of greenhouse gas emissions, as well as the consumption of energy and natural resources. The objective of this paper is to present an overview of permeable pavements and show studies of life cycle assessment that compare the environmental performance of permeable pavements with traditional drainage systems. Although the studies found in the literature present an estimate of the sustainability of permeable pavements, the great heterogeneity in the evaluation methods and results is still notable. Therefore, it is necessary to homogenize the phases of goal and scope, inventory analysis, impact assessment and interpretation. It is also necessary to define the phases and processes of the evaluation, as well as the minimum amount of data to be considered in the modelling of life cycle assessment, in order to avoid heterogeneity in the functional units and other components. Thus, more consistent results will lead to a real evaluation of the environmental impacts caused by permeable pavements. Life cycle assessment studies are essential to guide planning and decision-making, leading to systems that consider increasing water resources and reducing natural disasters and environmental impacts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 10th Anniversary of Water)

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25 pages, 7146 KiB

Open AccessReview

River Channel Relocation: Problems and Prospects

by Alissa Flatley, Ian D Rutherfurd and Ross Hardie

Water 2018, 10(10), 1360; https://doi.org/10.3390/w10101360 - 29 Sep 2018

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 14243

Abstract

River relocation is the diversion of a river into an entirely new channel for part of their length (often called river diversions). Relocations have been common through history and have been carried out for a wide range of purposes, but most commonly to [...] Read more.

River relocation is the diversion of a river into an entirely new channel for part of their length (often called river diversions). Relocations have been common through history and have been carried out for a wide range of purposes, but most commonly to construct infrastructure and for mining. However, they have not been considered as a specific category of anthropogenic channel change. Relocated channels present a consistent set of physical and ecological challenges, often related to accelerated erosion and deposition. We present a new classification of river relocation, and present a series of case studies that highlight some of the key issues with river relocation construction and performance. Primary changes to the channel dimensions and materials, alongside changes to flow velocity or channel capacity, can lead to a consistent set of problems, and lead to further secondary and tertiary issues, such as heightened erosion or deposition, hanging tributaries, vegetation loss, water quality issues, and associated ecological impacts. Occasionally, relocated channels can suffer engineering failure, such as overtopping or complete channel collapse during floods. Older river relocation channels were constructed to minimise cost and carry large floods, and were straight and trapezoidal. In some countries, modern relocated channels represent an exciting new challenge in that they are now designed to replicate natural rivers, the success of which depends on understanding the characteristics, heterogeneity, and mechanisms at work within the natural channel. We discuss shortcomings in current practice for river relocation and highlight areas for future research for successful rehabilitation of relocated rivers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 10th Anniversary of Water)

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16 pages, 1992 KiB

Open AccessReview

Muddy Waters: Refining the Way forward for the “Sustainability Science” of Socio-Hydrogeology

by Paul Hynds, Shane Regan, Luisa Andrade, Simon Mooney, Kevin O’Malley, Stephanie DiPelino and Jean O’Dwyer

Water 2018, 10(9), 1111; https://doi.org/10.3390/w10091111 - 21 Aug 2018

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 6141

Abstract

The trouble with groundwater is that despite its critical importance to global water supplies, it frequently attracts insufficient management attention relative to more visible surface water sources, irrespective of regional climate, socioeconomic profile, and regulatory environment. To this end, the recently defined sub-discipline [...] Read more.

The trouble with groundwater is that despite its critical importance to global water supplies, it frequently attracts insufficient management attention relative to more visible surface water sources, irrespective of regional climate, socioeconomic profile, and regulatory environment. To this end, the recently defined sub-discipline of “socio-hydrogeology”, an extension of socio-hydrology, seeks to translate and exchange knowledge with and between non-expert end-users, in addition to involving non-expert opinion and experience in hydrogeological investigations, thus emphasising a “bottom-up” methodology. It is widely acknowledged that issues pertaining to groundwater quality, groundwater quantity, climate change, and a poor general awareness and understanding of groundwater occurrence and movement are global in their scope. Moreover, while effective communication and engagement represent the key tenet of socio-hydrogeology, the authors consider that multiple actors should be identified and incorporated using stakeholder network analysis and may include policymakers, media and communications experts, mobile technology developers, and social scientists, to appropriately convey demographically focused bi-directional information, with the hydrogeological community representing the communication keystone. Accordingly, this article aims to highlight past and current work, elucidate key areas of development within socio-hydrogeology, and offer recommendations to ensure global efficacy of this increasingly important and growing field going forward. The authors seek to assist in protecting our global groundwater resource for future generations via an improved framework for understanding the interaction between communities and hydrogeological systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 10th Anniversary of Water)

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30 pages, 2437 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Artificial Aquatic Ecosystems

by Chelsea C. Clifford and James B. Heffernan

Water 2018, 10(8), 1096; https://doi.org/10.3390/w10081096 - 17 Aug 2018

Cited by 48 | Viewed by 14679

Abstract

As humans increasingly alter the surface geomorphology of the Earth, a multitude of artificial aquatic systems have appeared, both deliberately and accidentally. Human modifications to the hydroscape range from alteration of existing waterbodies to construction of new ones. The extent of these systems [...] Read more.

As humans increasingly alter the surface geomorphology of the Earth, a multitude of artificial aquatic systems have appeared, both deliberately and accidentally. Human modifications to the hydroscape range from alteration of existing waterbodies to construction of new ones. The extent of these systems makes them important and dynamic components of modern landscapes, but their condition and provisioning of ecosystem services by these systems are underexplored, and likely underestimated. Instead of accepting that artificial ecosystems have intrinsically low values, environmental scientists should determine what combination of factors, including setting, planning and construction, subsequent management and policy, and time, impact the condition of these systems. Scientists, social scientists, and policymakers should more thoroughly evaluate whether current study and management of artificial aquatic systems is based on the actual ecological condition of these systems, or judged differently, due to artificiality, and consider resultant possible changes in goals for these systems. The emerging recognition and study of artificial aquatic systems presents an exciting and important opportunity for science and society. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 10th Anniversary of Water)

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