Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Water resources management Singapore'

Bibliography: leaves 61-64. This thesis reviews the sustainability of water resource management in Singapore and adequacy of the water conservation efforts put up by its government, population and industries. The write-up deliberates on the various trans-national water issues faced by the small Republic, interactions within its water sector and with the rest of the economy, management of its water supply and demand, as well as the various problems and challenges confronted by the country. This study is intended to highlight the relative wisdom of reducing water demand over pursuing supply solutions.

Singapura e as bacias hidrográficas dos rios Piracicaba, Capivari e Jundiaí (PCJ), Brasil, possuem como características comuns populações de cerca de 5,5 milhões de pessoas, altos índices de urbanização e industrialização e situações críticas de disponibilidade hídrica. O objetivo geral desta pesquisa é investigar e comparar a gestão, a governança e o uso das águas na ilha principal de Singapura e nas Bacias PCJ, a partir de dados obtidos por meio de trabalhos de campo, pesquisas bibliográfica e documental e entrevistas semiestruturadas com cidadãos, profissionais e pesquisadores de ambos os países. Em Singapura, foram realizadas 52 entrevistas no total, sendo 33 cidadãos, 5 profissionais, 6 pesquisadores e 8 brasileiros. Nas Bacias PCJ, foram realizadas 45 entrevistas, sendo 27 cidadãos, 8 profissionais, 7 pesquisadores e 3 singapurianos. Foram percebidas semelhanças nos usos domésticos da água dos dois contextos, como a ênfase no seu valor econômico, o acesso fácil e conveniente a esse bem, e indícios de uma baixa influência das diferenças culturais de diferentes grupos étnicos nos níveis de consumo de água, que tendem a ser mais influenciados pela classe socioeconômica, infraestrutura doméstica, estilos de vida e costumes familiares e individuais. Nas Bacias PCJ, ainda há a presença marcante de uma cultura da abundância. A comparação dos dois casos é notável, pois trata-se, por um lado, de uma gestão centralizada e não participativa que gerou bons resultados num intervalo relativamente curto de tempo, e, por outro, de uma gestão descentralizada e participativa que, apesar de muito bem avaliada no contexto nacional, ainda possui uma série de insuficiências, falhas e fragilidades. Os casos estudados reforçam a ideia de que adversidades podem se transformar em vantagens, como em Singapura, e condições ambientalmente favoráveis podem se transformar em desvantagens, como nas Bacias PCJ. Ficou evidente que o principal fator que contribuiu para o sucesso da gestão das águas em Singapura foi o governo. Lee Kuan Yew é mencionado como mentor das políticas de desenvolvimento global de Singapura, incluindo a gestão das águas. Ele buscou conciliar desenvolvimento econômico e proteção ambiental, despoluiu todos os rios da ilha e promoveu o uso de fontes alternativas de água para aumentar a autonomia hídrica do país. Contudo, o caráter autoritário de seu governo e das medidas adotadas é questionável de um ponto de vista democrático. Apesar das Bacias PCJ estarem entre as mais avançadas do Brasil em termos da aplicação dos instrumentos da Lei 9.433/97, ainda não foram gerados todos os benefícios econômicos, sociais e a ambientais esperados e ainda há lacunas de governança que dificultam a implementação efetiva da gestão das águas. É necessário superar a visão da água como bem abundante e ilimitado, a contradição entre proteção ambiental e crescimento econômico, a organização política vigente, a corrupção, a falta de vontade política, as insuficiências no desenvolvimento urbano e o déficit de infraestrutura adequada.
Singapore and the river basins of Piracicaba, Capivari and Jundiaí rivers (PCJ), Brazil, have populations of about 5.5 million people, high rates of urbanization and industrialization and critical situations in terms of water availability. The objective of this research is to investigate and to compare water management, governance and usage in the main island of Singapore and the PCJ river basins, based on data collected by field work, bibliographic and documentary research and semi-structured interviews with citizens, professionals and researchers from both countries. In Singapore, there were 52 interviews in total, 33 citizens, 5 professionals, 6 researchers and 8 Brazilians. In the PCJ river basins, 45 interviews were conducted, 27 citizens, 8 professionals, 7 researchers and 3 Singaporeans. Similarities were perceived in the domestic water usage of both contexts, as the emphasis on its economic value, easy and convenient access. There is evidence of a low influence of cultural differences of different ethnic groups in the level of water consumption, which tends to be more influenced by socioeconomic conditions, domestic infrastructure, lifestyles and family and individual habits. In the PCJ river basins, there is a strong presence of a culture of abundance. The comparison of the two cases is remarkable. On the one hand, a centralized and nonparticipative management style that generated good results in a relatively short period of time, and, on the other hand, a decentralized and participative management style which is highly evaluated in the national context, but it also has a number of shortcomings, faults and weaknesses. The case study reinforces the idea that adversities can be turned into advantages, such as in Singapore, and environmentally favorable conditions can be turned into disadvantages, such as in the PCJ Basins. It was evident that the main factor contributing to the success of the water management in Singapore was the government. Lee Kuan Yew is mentioned as the mentor of Singapore\'s overall development policies, including water management. He sought to reconcile economic development and environmental protection, to clean up all the rivers of the island and to promote the use of alternative sources of water to increase water autonomy in the country. However, the authoritarian government and its measures are questionable from a democratic point of view. Despite the PCJ river basins are among the most advanced in Brazil in terms of implementation of the Law 9433/97, its management has not generated all the expected economic, social and environmental benefits and there are still governance gaps that hamper the effective implementation of an effective water management. It is necessary to overcome the vision of water as an abundant and unlimited resource, the contradiction between environmental protection and economic growth, the current political structure, corruption problems, lack of political will, shortcomings in urban development and the shortage of adequate infrastructure.

The questions posed in this study address the different processes that were involved in the decision-making and establishment of the water management organisations, the extent of public participation, as well as features of evident governance in implementing the policies. A critical analysis of the role of stakeholders and the various influences they may have in water management will also be examined. The methodology follows a historical study approach. A thorough document review will be done of the policies and related materials around BMCs, where events will be constructed from the findings. Interviews will be conducted for verification purposes, to verify the desktop findings and to assimilate any conflicts of opinion that might have not been documented.

This thesis addresses some aspects of shallow groundwater resources, and the wider issues of water resources use and allocation, in the Yobe river basin, north east Nigeria. The studies reported here were carried out in the context of a research linkage, between a Nigerian and a British _University, set up explicitly to support a large rural development programme. This is probably the first time strategic academic research and regional development have been linked on such a scale in the region. ' Despite significant investment in the past in irrigation and other water resource developments, basic data on land and water resources, and their present use, are limited. Short term studies by Consultants have proved to be no substitute for long term routine monitoring, together with good natural and social science research. « 4 Priority research needs are identified in the sciences of climatology and hydrology, and in the use and management of water in the region. There is very limited knowledge of climatic and hydrological change over the last few decades, and almost total ignorance of the existing ' water uses, their economic value, and the efficiency or otherwise of traditional water management practices. The main issues addressed in the thesis are (i) the shallow groundwater resources of the Manga Grasslands, a upland dunefield, and the Yobe river valley floodplain or fadama, and (ii) the allocation of water resources, especially in the context of large irrigation demands. _ The thesis is presented in the form of six papers -(5 published, one submitted for publication), with a extended introduction (Chapter 1) and a short conclusion (Chapter 8). The main findings and conclusions of the work are that: (i) groundwater recharge to the upland is almost certainly much larger than present abstractions; (ii) groundwater recharge to the floodplains is small compared to present regional shallow groundwater abstraction; (iii) development of shallow groundwater resources for irrigation in the Manga Grasslands would be most inadvisable because of resource limitations and salinity hazards; (iv) limited development of small scale irrigation, together with careful monitoring and modelling should go ahead in the Yobe fadana; (v) the remaining questions concerning the mechanisms and magnitude of groundwater recharge throughout the region need to be resolved a a matter of urgency; (vi) water allocation policy can be developed rationally, based on clear objectives and criteria, a good research base, and transparency of motive.

This thesis addresses some aspects of shallow groundwater resources, and the wider issues of water resources use and allocation, in the Yobe river basin, north east Nigeria. The studies reported here were carried out in the context of a research linkage, between a Nigerian and a British _University, set up explicitly to support a large rural development programme. This is probably the first time strategic academic research and regional development have been linked on such a scale in the region. ' Despite significant investment in the past in irrigation and other water resource developments, basic data on land and water resources, and their present use, are limited. Short term studies by Consultants have proved to be no substitute for long term routine monitoring, together with good natural and social science research. « 4 Priority research needs are identified in the sciences of climatology and hydrology, and in the use and management of water in the region. There is very limited knowledge of climatic and hydrological change over the last few decades, and almost total ignorance of the existing ' water uses, their economic value, and the efficiency or otherwise of traditional water management practices. The main issues addressed in the thesis are (i) the shallow groundwater resources of the Manga Grasslands, a upland dunefield, and the Yobe river valley floodplain or fadama, and (ii) the allocation of water resources, especially in the context of large irrigation demands. _ The thesis is presented in the form of six papers -(5 published, one submitted for publication), with a extended introduction (Chapter 1) and a short conclusion (Chapter 8). The main findings and conclusions of the work are that: (i) groundwater recharge to the upland is almost certainly much larger than present abstractions; (ii) groundwater recharge to the floodplains is small compared to present regional shallow groundwater abstraction; (iii) development of shallow groundwater resources for irrigation in the Manga Grasslands would be most inadvisable because of resource limitations and salinity hazards; (iv) limited development of small scale irrigation, together with careful monitoring and modelling should go ahead in the Yobe fadana; (v) the remaining questions concerning the mechanisms and magnitude of groundwater recharge throughout the region need to be resolved a a matter of urgency; (vi) water allocation policy can be developed rationally, based on clear objectives and criteria, a good research base, and transparency of motive.

Accounting systems are affected by historical, political, social and economic factors. Singapore and Indonesia were chosen for this study because there is very little written about accounting in either country. Singapore was under the British for nearly 150 years and the Indonesians were ruled by the Dutch for over 350 years. Besides these different colonial influences, both countries are different economically, politically and socially. This thesis traces the development of the accounting system, namely, corporate reporting, government accounting, capital market, accounting profession, accounting education and management accounting, in Indonesia and Singapore. It explains the influences that brought about these developments and analyses the features that distinguish the two systems. It is very common for developing countries to adopt foreign accounting systems. In the case of ex-colonies, the tendency has been for them to follow the practices of their colonial masters and to be influenced by the latter even after independence because of their longstanding relationships. However, the degree of reform after independence varies among countries. This study found that for Singapore, the process of adaptation and reform since independence has been dynamic, though, within the historical framework inherited from her colonial period, and there have been continued efforts to improve her accounting system to meet local requirements, and at the same time keep up with developments overseas, not only in the UK but also other developed countries such as the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. In the case of Indonesia, major reforms in accounting are slow and in many areas, inadequately coordinated. Reform to the commercial code, adopted from the Dutch in 1848 has been stagnant to the extent that it virtually remains intact. At the other extreme, the Jakarta stock exchange, which was established in 1977 with US support, adopted US accounting and reporting practices. The consequences of the lack of control and co-ordination gave rise to sub-standard accounting practices and the emergence of dualism in accounting training, education and practice. For example, the training and education of accounting technicians follow the Dutch system, whereas at the tertiary level, namely at State universities, the American-oriented approach with a heavy emphasis on financial reporting and auditing is taught. While it is desirable for a developing country to follow and keep up-to-date with accounting practices in developed countries, the blind transplant of foreign systems will yield negative results if the questions of compatibility and the recipient country's needs are not adequately considered. In this regard, Singapore and Indonesia present two contrasting examples on how each country handled the issues of accounting development. Finally, we have learned from this thesis the importance for developing countries to adapt and improvise accounting systems to suit their particular needs, and that purely relying on foreign assistance is inadequate to ensure the success of any national accounting development programme.

This submission reviews the two successful examples of water markets, one in the developed world, the Murray Darling Basin in Australia and other in the developing world, the Limari Basin case in Chile respectively. Of central importance, we find the commodification of a natural resource, water, through a process of the progressing neoliberal agenda. As regards the outcome of this process in these two cases
while on the one hand the water markets have contributed to a more efficient allocation of water resources from less efficient to more efficient uses, on the other hand, problems related to environmental degradation in the former case and the social inequity in the latter have been unable to be solved.

This study evaluated the impacts of shallow and deep open drains on groundwater levels and drain performance under varying climate scenarios and irrigation application rates. The MIKE SHE model used for this study is an advanced and fully spatially distributed hydrological model. Three drain depths, climates and irrigation application rates were considered. The drains depths included 0, 1 and 2 m deep drains. The annual rainfall and meteorological data were collected from study area from 1976 to 2004 and analysed to identify the typical wet, average and dry years within the record. Similarly three irrigation application rates included 0, 10 and 16 ML/ha-annum. All together twenty seven scenarios (3 drains depths, 3 climates and 3 irrigation application rates) were simulated. The observed soil physical and hydrological data were used to calibrate and validate the model. Mean square error (R[superscript]2) of the simulated and observed water table data varied from 0.7 to 0.87. Once validated the MIKE SHE model was used to evaluate the effectiveness of 1 and 2 metre deep drains. The simulated water table depth, unsaturated zone deficit, exchange between unsaturated and saturated zones, drain outflow and overland flow were used to analyse their performance. The modeling results showed that the waterlogging was extensive and prolonged during winter months under the no drainage and no irrigation scenario. In the wet climate scenario, the duration of water logging was longer than in the average climate scenario during the winter months. In the dry climate scenario no waterlogging occurred during the high rainfall period. The water table reached soil surface during the winter season in the case of wet and average climate. For the dry climate, the water table was about 0.9 metres below soil surface during winter.
One and 2 metre deep drains lowered the water table up to 0.9 and 1.8 metres in winter for the wet climate when there was no irrigation application. One metre deep drains proved effective in controlling water table during wet and average climate without application of irrigation water. One metre deep drains were more effective in controlling waterlogging a in wet, average and dry years when the irrigation application rate was 10 ML/ha-annum. With 16 ML/ha-annum irrigation application, 1 metre deep drains did not perform as efficiently as 2 metre deep drains in controlling the water table and waterlogging. In the dry climate scenario, without irrigation application, 1 metre deep drains were not required as there was not enough flux from rainfall and irrigation to raise the water table and create waterlogging risks. Two metre deep drains lowered the water table to greater depths in the wet, average and dry climate scenarios respectively when no irrigation was applied. They managed water table better in wet and average climate with 10 and 16 ML/ha-annum irrigation application rate. Again in the dry climate, without irrigation application 2 metre deep drains were not required as there was a minimal risk of waterlogging. The recharge to the groundwater table in the no drainage case was far greater than for the 1 and 2 metre deep drainage scenarios. The recharge was higher in case of 1 metre deep drains than 2 metre deep drains in wet and average climate during winter season.
There was no recharge to ground water with 1 and 2 metre deep drains under the dry climate scenarios and summer season without irrigation application as there was not enough water to move from the ground surface to the unsaturated and saturated zones. When 10 ML/ha-annum irrigation rate was applied during wet, average and dry climate respectively, 1 metre deep drains proved enough drainage to manage the recharge into the groundwater table with a dry climate. For the wet and average climate scenarios, given a 10 ML/ha-annum irrigation application rate, 2 metre deep drains managed recharge better than 1 metre deep drains. Two metres deep drains with a 10 ML/ha-annum irrigation application rate led to excessive drainage of water from the saturated zone in the dry climate scenario. Two metres deep drains managed recharge better with a 16 ML/ha-annum irrigation application rate in the wet and average climate scenarios than the 1 metre deep drains. Two metres deep drains again led to excessive drainage of water from the saturated zone in dry climate. In brief, 1 metre deep drains performed efficiently in the wet and average climate scenarios with and without a 10 ML/ha-annum irrigation application rate. One metre deep drains are not required for the dry climate scenario. Two metre deep drains performed efficiently in the wet and average climate scenarios with 16 ML/ha-annum irrigation application rate. Two metre deep drains are not required for the dry climate scenario.

Surface water and groundwater systems consist of interconnected reservoirs, rivers, and confined and unconfined aquifers. The integrated management of such resources faces several challenges: High dimensionality refers to the requirement of the large number of variables that need to be considered in the description of surface water and groundwater systems. As the number of these variables increases, the computational requirements quickly saturate the capabilities of the existing management methods. Uncertainty relates to the imprecise nature of many system inputs and parameters, including reservoir and tributary inflows, precipitation, evaporation, aquifer parameters (e.g., hydraulic conductivity and storage coefficient), and various boundary and initial conditions. Uncertainty complicates very significantly the development and application of efficient management models. Nonlinearity is intrinsic to some physical processes and also enters through various facility and operational constraints on reservoir storages, releases, and aquifer drawdown and pumping. Nonlinearities compound the previous difficulties. Multiple objectives pertain to the process of optimizing the use of the integrated surface and groundwater resources to meet various water demands, generate sufficient energy, maintain adequate instream flows, and protect the environment and the ecosystems. Multi-objective decision models and processes continue to challenge professional practice. This research draws on several disciplines including groundwater flow modeling, hydrology and water resources systems, uncertainty analysis, estimation theory, stochastic optimization of dynamical systems, and policy assessment. A summary of the research contributions made in this work follows: 1.High dimensionality issues related to groundwater aquifers system have been mitigated by the use of transfer functions and their representation by state space approximations. 2.Aquifer response under uncertainty of inputs and aquifer parameters is addressed by a new statistical procedure that is applicable to regions of relatively few measurements and incorporates management reliability considerations. 3.The conjunctive management problem is formulated in a generally applicable way, taking into consideration all relevant uncertainties and system objectives. This problem is solved via an efficient stochastic optimization method that overcomes dimensionality limitations. 4.The methods developed in this Thesis are applied to the Jordanian water resources system, demonstrating their value for operational planning and management.

There is a growing need to manage water resources in a sustainable way, particularly in semi arid areas, with dramatic social and economic development as well as rapid population growth. Optimising water allocation in a river basin is an important aspect ensuring equitable and efficient water use. This research develops an optimisation approach (the Integrated Water Resource Optimisation model, IWRO) to optimise the conjunctive use of surface water and groundwater resources in a sustainable manner. The IWRO model is comprised of a surface water optimisation model (SWO) and the Tsinghua groundwater optimisation (TGO) model. These models employ Genetic Algorithms (GAs) to optimise water allocation. Application of a surface water optimisation (SWO) model incorporating a GA is demonstrated initially for a simple test case, through which the GA approach was validated against known solutions. Sensitivity analysis of different operators and parameters related to GAs was also carried out. The validated SWO model was then applied to a more complex system, the Shiyang River Basin in Gansu Province in China, to maximise equitable surface water supplies. On the groundwater side, the GA approach was applied with the existing Tsinghua groundwater model to optimise groundwater supplies with sustainability considerations. The results were compared with those from an existing model (the WEAP model), indicating that the IWRO model is capable of satisfying the objectives of equitable water allocation and groundwater sustainability set for it. In the context of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), account must be taken of a wide range of social and environmental issues. Different scenarios were therefore designed for the Shiyang River Basin management. Various criteria in terms of economic, social, environment and water security were also indentified for further multi-criterion decision making analysis.

Complexity of challenges associated with water resources management is increasing due to factors such as climate variability and uncertainty, increased regulatory requirements, changes in planning horizons, and trans-boundary considerations. Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and Adaptive Management (AM) are widely publicized approaches developed and proposed to deal with this complexity. Both concepts have a history reaching back decades, but have been facing difficulties in their transfer from theory into practice. There is a clear need to look in more detail at the process of transforming IWRM and AM theory into practice and this research investigates this process and the factors that mediate it. A conceptual framework was developed - characterizing the process for transfer of theory into practice - that formed the basis for development of the research questions. The research approach focused on analyzing the implementation pathways of IWRM and AM in four case studies, whose selection was informed by the need to explore a context with extensive history of IWRM and AM practice. Data collection took place through semi-structured interviews aiming to uncover how those involved in planning and implementation of IWRM and AM experienced these processes. Besides aiming to understand the ‘lived experiences’, a more abstract framework of the process, factors and dynamics was derived, grounded in the views of the respondents. The findings indicate different types of factors that influence the theory to practice process for IWRM and AM, relating to: (a) theory and its use in practice; (b) the environment that can complicate or facilitate the implementation process; (c) the way cooperation and decision-making processes are organized; and (d) individual attributes of those involved. Incorporating lessons from past into current initiatives are vital to more effective implementation of IWRM and AM. This research gives greater insight into the mediating factors and dynamics, providing this through empirical evidence into design of IWRM and AM planning and implementation. It also provides a thorough discussion on what IWRM and AM exactly mean, proposing a new definition for both concepts.

The water crisis is one of the dimensions of the environmental issue, since it involves a multiplicity of aspects of how societies are structured and relate to nature in time and territory. In this context, the management of water resources is one of the political and scientific agendas privileged to contribute in solving the water crisis. The state of Cearà has emerged as a pioneer in modern government management of water management in Brazil, with previous specific legislation the National Water Resources Policy. From the year 1987, with "Government of Changes," a political process of state of equipment for the systematic management of water resources was initiated through the attraction of capital and integration into globalization. However, water scarcity on which part of CearÃ's population is periodically submitted has not been eliminated, is quite evident in this dry cycle. Thus, the overall objective of the research is to analyze the current model of water management in the state of Ceara in the context of corporate restructuring. The theoretical framework uses guiding categories and concepts related to environmental issues, the water crisis, the State, territory, power, conflicts and management of water resources. In the light of historical and dialectical materialism, operational methodology was based on five steps, using documentary research, interviews and fieldwork as the main data collection means. The survey revealed that at the heart of the current model of water management there is intense selectivity of state actions, focusing on the management of supply via water infrastructure for river basins that concentrate the main social and productive sectors plaintiffs. Conflicts over water resources have become frequent in certain territories, generating different dynamics and social conflicts.
A crise da Ãgua representa uma das dimensÃes da questÃo ambiental, pois envolve uma multiplicidade de aspectos da forma como as sociedades se estruturam e se relacionam com a natureza no tempo e no territÃrio. Nesse contexto, a gestÃo de recursos hÃdricos à uma das agendas polÃticas e cientÃficas privilegiadas por contribuir na resoluÃÃo da crise da Ãgua. O estado do Cearà despontou como um dos pioneiros no moderno tratamento governamental da gestÃo hÃdrica no Brasil, possuindo legislaÃÃo especÃfica anterior a PolÃtica Nacional de Recursos HÃdricos. A partir do ano de 1987, com o âGoverno das MudanÃasâ, um processo polÃtico de aparelhamento do Estado para a gestÃo sistemÃtica dos recursos hÃdricos foi iniciado em meio à atraÃÃo de capitais e inserÃÃo na globalizaÃÃo. Contudo, a escassez hÃdrica relativa à qual parte da populaÃÃo do Cearà està periodicamente submetida nÃo foi eliminada, sendo bastante evidente no presente ciclo de secas. Desse modo, o objetivo geral da pesquisa consiste em analisar o atual modelo de gestÃo de recursos hÃdricos do estado do Cearà no Ãmbito da reestruturaÃÃo produtiva. O referencial teÃrico recorre a categorias e conceitos norteadores relacionados à problemÃtica ambiental, à crise da Ãgua, ao Estado, ao territÃrio, ao poder, aos conflitos e à gestÃo de recursos hÃdricos. Sob a luz do materialismo histÃrico-dialÃtico, a metodologia operacional foi pautada em cinco etapas, utilizando-se a pesquisa documental, a realizaÃÃo de entrevistas e trabalhos de campo como principais meios de coleta de dados. A pesquisa revelou que no Ãmago do atual modelo de gestÃo de recursos hÃdricos hà uma intensa seletividade das aÃÃes do Estado, com foco na gestÃo da oferta via infraestruturas hÃdricas para as bacias hidrogrÃficas que concentram os principais setores sociais e produtivos demandantes. Os conflitos por recursos hÃdricos se tornaram frequentes em determinados territÃrios, engendrando diferentes dinÃmicas e embates sociais.

The energy-food-water nexus is of fundamental significance in the goal towards sustainable development. The Zambezi River Basin, situated in southern Africa, currently offers vast water resources for social and economic development for the eight riparian countries that constitute the watershed. Hydropower generation and agriculture are the main water users in the watershed with great potential of expansion, plus urban water supply materialise the largest consumers of this resource. Climate and social changes are pressuring natural resources availability which might show severe alterations due to enhances in the variability of precipitation patterns. This study thus examines the present water resources in the transboundary basin and executes low and high case future climate change incited scenarios in order to estimate the possible availability of water for the period 2060-2099 by performing water balances. Along with projections of water accessibility, approximations on water demands from the main consumer sectors are performed. Results show an annual positive balance for both projected scenarios due to an increase in precipitation during the wet season. They also present a severe increase in overall temperature for the region contributing to a strong increase in evapotranspiration. Projections further inform of an acute increase in water demand for irrigation and urban supply, nevertheless, evaporation from hydropower storage reservoirs continues to exceed water with drawals in volume. Acknowledging the uncertainty contained in this report allows a broader offer of recommendations to be considered when planning for future developments with a sustainable approach. Improvement of hydrological collection systems in the Zambezi basin is indispensable to accomplish a deeper and cohesive understanding of the watershed waterresources. Cooperation and knowledge communication between riparian countries seems to be the right beginning towards social and economic sustainable development for the Zambezi River Basin.

The world experiences large-scale ecosystems degradation in an every part of the planet - in rich as well as in and poor parts. Unstable economic conditions together with weak law enforcements make low income countries face more severe forms of natural destruction. This draws the attention on the need to design economic policies that are environmentally sound and while at the same time ensuring the well-being of their inhabitants in economic, social and natural settings. A number of countries in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia have experienced a unique historical period of transition from communist regimes to free democratic societies. This has been followed by numerous effects on their financial situations as economic hardships caused by the collapse of economies injected by the assistance from the Soviet and committees of socialist countries mutually aiding each other, opening up of opportunities as private ownership and market liberations. Not all countries succeeded in liberalizing their economic structures and reforming economic and political environments. Simultaneously, the natural environment underwent various effects, both positive and negative, after the Iron Curtain fell and exposed destructing effects of command and control economy. Mongolia has experienced all the hard aspects of the transition and started to climb up on the income ladder from the low income to the lower middle-income list of the World Bank, but also seen many negative price aspects of development. Water resources have been severely degraded in recent years due to anthropogenic impact. However, there are reforms taking place in water sector institutions that have recently attracted wide attention nationwide.This thesis will give detailed picture on current state of water resources in the country and the system that coordinates them. The Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) is used as an approach to highlight the relationship between water resource quality and income per capita in Mongolia. This is followed by a detailed discussion on water institutions development and the coordinating mechanisms badly needed among sectors involved. The research suggests that collaborative actions are important if sustainable water management is to be reached. More generally, I recommend further research issues on the generated topic as my thesis is one of the first discussions coupling the EKC and institutional theory aspects together.

Almond water use was investigated at the leaf, plant and canopy level under a range of irrigation conditions in commercial orchards in California. Understanding plant response to water stress, specifically the behavior of plant transpiration and water use during periods of water stress, has important implications for irrigation scheduling in agriculture but also for water resources management and policy making.

Leaf gas exchange measurements of stomatal conductance and photosynthetic rate were performed at midday on shaded and on sunlit leaves, with midday stem water potential used to assess plant water stress. An essentially linear decline in both photosynthetic rate (from 25 to 5 μmol m^-2 s^-1) and stomatal conductance (from 400 to 50 mmol m ^-2 s^-1) as stem water potential declined over the range of -0.5 to -3 MPa was observed in sunlit leaves. These data indicated a strong sensitivity of leaf-level physiological processes to water stress. However, evapotranspiration at the canopy level, measured using Eddy Covariance, did not show a reduction relative to atmospheric demand during periods of water stress. The apparent disconnect observed between leaf conductance, responsive to water stress and canopy evapotranspiration, insensitive to water stress, is the central problem investigated in this study.

When the transpiration data was analyzed in the framework of a "Big Leaf" model, decoupled conditions (i.e. a limited stomatal control of transpiration) were shown to prevail at the experimental site, contrary to previous findings reported in the literature for tall crops such as almond orchards. Low coupling implies only a moderate sensitivity of transpiration to stomatal closure. Measured coupling increased substantially with wind speed but showed a wide range of values at the low wind speeds (<1m s^-1) that were observed at the site. At any wind speed however, higher canopy resistance resulted in higher coupling. The high leaf area index observed in the orchard may have been responsible for causing decoupled conditions, because when leaf area decreased as a result of harvesting operations, canopy transpiration appeared to become more sensitive to water stress.

Cumulative daily sap velocity was used as an estimate of plant transpiration. At the plant level, contrasting behaviors were observed in plant transpiration in the presence of water stress, depending on the duration and intensity of the stress. During long soil dry-down periods encompassing several weeks, plant transpiration relative to the evaporative demand of the atmosphere showed a statistically significant decline associated with a decrease in stem water potential and in stomatal closure. However, when the cycle of water stress was short (days), reductions in stem water potential seemed to be associated with an increase in cumulative sapflow velocity. The analysis of these results led to the development of a simple model that describes the theoretical interactions between three dependent variables, namely stem water potential, stomatal conductance and transpiration. The model output suggested that in wet soil, an increase in transpiration may be caused by increasing evaporative demand even if stem water potential and stomatal conductance decrease.

Sustainable, robust, and resilient water resources planning and management (WRPM) has emerged as a major concern, not only for decision makers and water utilities but also for academic researchers. A water resources system is very complex since its enormous number and diverse components are connected and interrelated. To establish effective management and planning for the water resources system, decision makers and planners can disaggregate large water resources systems into multiple scales based on geographical boundaries and the management and planning goals. Arizona’s water resources system can be divided into basin, state, planning area, and local planning area scales. Each scale requires a different approach and models depending on the WRPM goals. This dissertation takes a comprehensive view of sustainable, robust, and resilient WRPM for multi-scale Arizona water resources systems (state, planning area, and local planning area scales). This dissertation is composed of three studies with four journal articles that address sustainable, robust, and resilient WRPM. First, for the state and planning area scale, a large food-energy-water system model is developed for Arizona using a system dynamic modeling approach. Using the model, effectiveness of potential alternatives including graywater reuse, rainwater harvesting, demand reduction, and groundwater importation that promise sustainable water use are evaluated. Second, at the regional planning area scale, impacts of various strategies on the robustness and resilience of regional water supply system (RWSS) during major component failure for a region in southwest Tucson, AZ are assessed. The strategies include (1) restricting water demand, (2) constructing pipelines as alternative water supply pathways, (3) building water tanks as backup water storages, and (4) maintaining the Central wellfield as a backup source. Finally, the impact of network topology within water distribution system (WDS)/water distribution network (WDN) on (1) the accuracy of the first-order second-moment (FOSM) approximation when it is employed as a nodal pressure head uncertainty estimation method and (2) WDN robustness and resiliency. To that end, a quantitative WDS classification scheme that classify a WDS based on its function and network topology are developed. Using the classification scheme, network topology within WDS is identified and used for the analyses.

Thesis (M. Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2007.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 52-55).
This thesis assesses the water resource status of Kuwait and Singapore, both countries considered as water scarce. The institutional aspect of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) efforts in both countries is closely examined at international, regional, national and administrative levels. Aspects of the institutional framework which have contributed to the successful water management scenario in Singapore are identified in order to draw lessons for the case of Kuwait. Although complete emulation of the national and administrative bodies of Singapore may not be justified, specific activities, methodologies and structures are recommended for the institutional capacity building of Kuwaiti water management. Artificial surface aquifers are proposed as a suitable solution for enhancement of water storage capacity in Kuwait, one of the main aspects of sustainable water resources development for the country. The drainage depressions of Rawdhatain and Umm Al-Ahish, locations of water and oil resource development and the surrounding area are assessed for suitable sites. Impacts on the land use, land cover and natural drainage pattern are assessed. A specific design is recommended for the artificial surface aquifers and the storage capacity is computed.
(cont.) Storage of up to 70% of the 2010 projected water budget is found to be possible. However, a similar analysis using a digital elevation map with better spatial resolution and extensive site surveys on the ground should precede further feasibility studies in order to decrease the margin of error on the computed water storage capacities.
by Nasruddin A. Nazerali.
M.Eng.

Khartoum State in Sudan is subject to the erratic and intense rainfall during the short rainy season and dryness and heat throughout the rest of the year. High intensity rainstorms with a short duration have become more frequent in the area during the last two decades resulting in cities inundation and flash floods in the rural parts. On the other hand, the dry season means hot weather in the urban parts and water shortage in the rural part. Rural areas are dependent on the runoff water brought about by the seasonal streams as a source of water. For this study, Khartoum City Center and Seleit area were taken to investigate the application of water harvesting in the urban and rural areas, respectively. Accordingly, the hydrological characteristics and the specification of the potential water harvesting sites and systems were examined. For Khartoum City Center, characteristics of the drainage system were examined using ArcGIS platform. It is found that the drainage system covers 42% of the area with total capacity of 24000 m3. Daily rainfall data for urban meteorological station were used to calculate the probability and the return period of the rainfall, as well as the potential runoff. Rainfall probability of occurrence was calculated applying Gumbel distribution method for extreme events that were arranged according to the Peak-over-Threshold method. The potential runoff that could be generated from a certain rainfall was calculated using the Natural Resources Conservation Services method provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (US-NRCS). Accordingly, the curve number was calculated depending on the land use/land cover and the hydrological soil group. Consequently, the weighted curve number is found to be 94%, indicating dominant imperviousness. 13.1 mm rainfall depth produces runoff volume equal to the drainage system capacity with return period of one year; whereas more than four folds the drainage system capacity is produced by 30 mm rainfall depth that is considered the threshold for raising flood hazard. Six potential sites for roof rainwater harvesting were selected. Accordingly, it is found that, the application of roof water harvesting in 18% and 72% of the commercial and business district buildings can accommodate the runoff resulting from the 13.1 and 30 mm rainfall depth, respectively. Hence, impounding rainstorm water would help managing the urban runoff water, and consequently, the stored water could be used for making more green areas that will enhance the urban environment. Three watersheds of ephemeral streams (wadi), namely Wadi El Kangar, Wadi El Seleit, and Wadi El Kabbashi make up Seleit area. Distinct maps were prepared in ArcMap for the calculation of the potential runoff and the specification of the appropriate water harvesting sites and systems. The Wadis watersheds areas are found to be 540, 344 and 42 km2 for Wadi El Kangar, Wadi El Seleit and Wadi El Kabbashi, respectively. Daily rainfall data of rural meteorological station were classified into three groups representing the soil dry (AMCI), moderate (AMCII), and wet (AMCIII) moisture conditions; the respective CNI, CNII, and CNIII values were calculated accordingly. The weighted CN values indicate high runoff potential within the three soil moisture conditions. Accordingly, the rainfall thresholds for runoff generation for AMCI, AMCII and AMCIII conditions are found to be respectively 18.3 mm, 9.1 mm and 4.4 mm for Wadi El Kabbashi and 22 mm, 11 mm and 5 mm for both Wadi El Seleit and Wadi El Kangar. El Kangar dam subwatershed was used for calibrating the potential runoff calculated by the NRCS method. Since the Wadis are ungauged, Google Earth and GIS platforms were used to calculate geometrically the volume of the dam reservoir water for three years. This volume was compared to the annual runoff calculated by the NRCS method. Consideration to different factors was made to locate the potential water harvesting sites. Accordingly, water harvesting systems for fodder and crop plantation; sand storage surface or subsurface dams; or groundwater recharge, were specified. The socio-economic study revealed that the financial capacity, if any, of the villagers is very limited. Thus, the financial source for the construction of the suggested potential water harvesting or the rehabilitation of the existing ones is questionable. Hence, other potential financial sources are needed to help executing water harvesting projects in the region, e.g. Khartoum State Government. Applying water harvesting in Seleit area is found to be promising. Improving the livelihood of the villagers by applying runoff water harvesting could assure better water accessibility, better income generation from farms production, and allocation of time for other activities, e.g. education. This would be reflected in reduced migration to nearby cities and stabilized market supply of agricultural and animal products. Therefore, the development of the rural part is of great benefit to the development of Khartoum State, as long as the interdependency and mutual benefit between the rural and urban areas, represented by the local food and labor market, remain exist.

Continuously increasing water demand in various sectors is intensifying the water scarcity problem particularly in arid and semi-arid regions like Oman. In many areas of the Sultanate, demand for water far exceeds its current availability. This presents logistical challenges in overcoming this situation or at least keeping the water deficit as low as possible. In Oman, most of the readily accessible fresh groundwater resources have already been extensively developed in order to attempt to meet the increasing demand for water, and any further intensification of groundwater abstraction is therefore not sustainable. Attention has therefore turned to desalination of sea water to supplement the available groundwater resources. Desalination is expensive and energy intensive; hence it cannot realistically be the sole source of drinking water in Oman. Rather, a conjunctive use of groundwater and desalination optimally operated to meet water demands while ensuring the sustainability of the groundwater resources is the best option. Thus, a numerical simulation model of Ash Sharqiyah Sands Aquifer was developed in this study and used to assess the long-term impacts on piezometric heads of supplying the eight Wilayats of Ash Sharqiyah Region with water from the 29 operational wells located in two regional groundwater fields- the Jaalan and the Al Kamil. The simulation results showed that the existing provision from the two wellfields will be inadequate by the 1st of September 2025 to meet domestic water supply needs without creating excessive drawdown and the cessation of flow in some of the existing operational Aflaj, which are artificial, surface channels that tap and convey by gravity groundwater for diversion into various uses along its route. Supplementing the abstraction from the wellfields with the more costly desalinated water of the Sur Desalination Plant offers the prospect for combating the problem; consequently, a constrained optimization problem was formulated to find the least cost blending of groundwater and desalinated water to meet demands while satisfying various constraints including the need to maintain Aflaj flow. The optimisation revealed increasing contribution of desalination to future total water supply for the Region, as desalination water replaces pumping from wells that affect Aflaj flow, with implications for the project cost. However, significant reduction in the long-term total production cost was achieved by increasing up to 50% the existing pump capacity at the Jaalan, made possible because its associated Aflaj are located upstream of the wellfield and are hence only minimally affected by the current abstractions.

Following South Africa's independence from apartheid rule, there has been progressive developments in policies that promote equity in all spheres including the water sector. Equality in the water sector is not only limited to water access, but also management of the water. This study investigated the factors that empower women in the water sector as an example of gender equity.

This thesis is an inquiry into the promotion and implementation of Japanese QCC in Singapore. The thesis aims to develop a better understanding of the QCC phenomenon and of its applicability outside Japan. The QCC as a small group activity used in promoting quality improvement among workers is examined through several theoretical frameworks: structuration theory, critical systems thinking and the notion of QCC as social technology. A historical analysis of the Japanese QCC provides an understanding of the socio-historical context in which the QCC as a small group activity evolved. The Japanese QCC system is examined, appraised and critiqued in terms of its key processes and role in quality management using Habermas's theory of knowledge and human interests and critical systems thinking. An analysis of the promotion of QCC in Singapore and of the general state of QCC activities provides a socio-historical context for five case studies of QCC implementation by Singapore firms. Using Olikowski's structuration model of technology, the thesis discusses the influence of the interactions between institutional properties and human agency on the outcomes of these firms' QCC implementation strategies. With technology viewed as a system metaphor comprising technical, social, economic and political sub-systems, the interpretive flexibility of the QCC as a social technology is underlined. QCC implementations outside Japan are viewed as incidents of technology transfer, with local inventions, which takes into account the systemic and socially constituted nature of QCC activity, essential for successful transfer. A conceptual map regarding the transfer of QCC is presented. The map incorporates the three theoretical frameworks used in this thesis. This is an attempt at modelling the processes essential for successful social technology transfer.

From the Proceedings of the 1988 Meetings of the Arizona Section - American Water Resources Association and the Hydrology Section - Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science - April 16, 1988, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona

From the Proceedings of the 1991 Meetings of the Arizona Section - American Water Resources Association and the Hydrology Section - Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science - April 20, 1991, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona
In August 1990, a team of North American and Soviet researchers travelled to several cities on the shores of Lake Baikal in southern Siberia. The purpose of the investigation was to develop a means of protecting and restoring the world's oldest and largest volume lake. Lack of water resource management strategies was identified as the key factor which may result in further deterioration of lake water quality and the diversity of biota which it supports. Deforestation, antiquated agricultural practices, inadequate solid and liquid waste disposal, and industrial contamination threaten the aesthetic quality and commercial uses of the lake. The recommendations of the joint investigative committee are summarized.

The Waipara catchment, North Canterbury, New Zealand is currently experiencing rapid intensification in land use from pastoral farming to viticultural, horticultural and lifestyle activities. This intensification has lead to escalating demand for water which has created challenges for the Waipara community and the water managers. Sustainable and effective management requires both a thorough understanding of the physical environment and consideration of the needs of society. This study has been undertaken to assist management by quantifying the water resources, determining current water use and identifying the key issues facing management. Limited precipitation and high evapo-transpiration rates dominate the area's water resources resulting in very limited runoff and significant soil moisture deficits over the summer months. The surface water resources of the area are over allocated with potential abstraction rates far exceeding normal summer flows. The last five years has seen the rapid development of groundwater as landowners look for alternative irrigation supplies. The groundwater resources are very complicated and highly variable consisting of small discrete buried river channels. Recharge rates are very low which questions the long term sustainability of groundwater resource. There is a need to move towards integrated catchment management where science and the community work together to create workable and appropriate solutions. The Waipara community are already highly active in water management. Similarly, recent science has improved understanding of the resources. Water managers need to cease the opportunity and begin the process of developing a holistic catchment management plan.

This study aims to point out which factors should be contemplated in the planning of water resources management and then analyse the 2000/2003 basin plan for the Paulista section of the Paraíba do Sul river basin. The first step to register and organize these factors was to research the existing literature regarding to this subject. The premise to guide this study was: water is a scarce resource and a limiting for sustainable development, and it is imperative to utilize this resource in a coherent and planned way. The proposal focused also on the analysis of publications concerning the geographic aspects of the Paraíba do Sul river basin as well as the quality aspects, such as demands, uses and water offers. The studied factors are associated to the geographic aspects of the current borders, as well as their geographic localizations. Finally, according to the understanding, it was pointed out and discussed which should be the factors and why they should contemplated in the planning.
O objetivo deste trabalho é verificar, na gestão de recursos hídricos, quais são os fatores a serem considerados no seu planejamento e, a partir deles, analisar o do Plano de Bacia 2000/2003 da UGRHI 02 da área paulista da Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Paraíba do Sul. Partindo-se da pesquisa dos vários aspectos abordados na literatura como itens a serem considerados no planejamento, fez-se o levantamento e a sistematização dos fatores. Considera-se a água um recurso escasso e um limitante para o crescimento sustentável. Assim, é de grande importância o seu uso de forma disciplinada. Evidencia-se a análise de textos relacionados ao aspecto geográfico da bacia hidrográfica do Rio Paraíba do Sul, à qualidade, à demanda, aos usos e à oferta de água. Os fatores são associados ao aspecto geográfico das fronteiras a montante e a jusante. Finalmente, foram localizados e discutidos quais são e porque determinados fatores devem ser considerados na gestão e planejamento dos recursos hídricos.

Substantial anthropogenic change of the Earth’s climate is modifying patterns of rainfall, river flow, glacial melt and groundwater recharge rates across the planet, undermining many of the stationarity assumptions upon which water resources infrastructure has been historically managed. This hydrological uncertainty is creating a potentially vast range of possible futures that could threaten the dependability of vital regional water supplies. This, combined with increased urbanisation and rapidly growing regional populations, is putting pressures on finite water resources. One of the greatest international challenges facing decision makers in the water industry is the increasing influences of these “deep” climate change and population growth uncertainties affecting the long-term balance of supply and demand and necessitating the need for adaptive action. Water companies and utilities worldwide are now under pressure to modernise their management frameworks and approaches to decision making in order to identify more sustainable and cost-effective water management adaptations that are reliable in the face of uncertainty. The aim of this thesis is to compare and contrast a range of existing Decision Making Methods (DMMs) for possible application to Water Resources Management (WRM) problems, critically analyse on real-life case studies their suitability for handling uncertainties relating to climate change and population growth and then use the knowledge generated this way to develop a new, resilience-based WRM planning methodology. This involves a critical evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of a range of methods and metrics developed to improve on current engineering practice, to ultimately compile a list of suitable recommendations for a future framework for WRM adaptation planning under deep uncertainty. This thesis contributes to the growing vital research and literature in this area in several distinct ways. Firstly, it qualitatively reviews a range of DMMs for potential application to WRM adaptation problems using a set of developed criteria. Secondly, it quantitatively assesses two promising and contrasting DMMs on two suitable real-world case studies to compare highlighted aspects derived from the qualitative review and evaluate the adaptation outputs on a practical engineering level. Thirdly, it develops and reviews a range of new potential performance metrics that could be used to quantitatively define system resilience to help answer the water industries question of how best to build in more resilience in future water resource adaptation planning. This leads to the creation and testing of a novel resilience driven methodology for optimal water resource planning, combining optimal aspects derived from the quantitative case study work with the optimal metric derived from the resilience metric investigation. Ultimately, based on the results obtained, a list of suitable recommendations is compiled on how to improve the existing methodologies for future WRM planning under deep uncertainty. These recommendations include the incorporation of more complex simulation models into the planning process, utilisation of multi-objective optimisation algorithms, improved uncertainty characterisation and assessments, an explicit robustness examination and the incorporation of additional performance metrics to increase the clarity of the strategy assessment process.

Indigenous peoples in North America have a long history of understanding their societies as having an intimate relationship with their physical environments. Their cultures, traditions, and identities are based on the ecosystems and sacred places that shape their world. Their respect for their ancestors and 'Mother Earth' speaks of unique value and knowledge systems different than the value and knowledge systems of the dominant United States settler society. The value and knowledge systems of each indigenous and non-indigenous community are different but collide when water resources are endangered. One of the challenges that face indigenous people regarding the management of water relates to their opposition to the commodification of water for availability to select individuals. External researchers seeking to work with indigenous peoples on water research or management must learn how to design research or water management projects that respect indigenous cultural contexts, histories of interactions with settler governments and researchers, and the current socio-economic and political situations in which indigenous peoples are embedded. They should pay particular attention to the process of collaborating on water resource topics and management with and among indigenous communities while integratingWestern and indigenous sciences in ways that are beneficial to both knowledge systems. The objectives of this paper are to (1) to provide an overview of the context of current indigenous water management issues, especially for the U.S. federally recognized tribes in the Southwestern United States; (2) to synthesize approaches to engage indigenous persons, communities, and governments on water resources topics and management; and (3) to compare the successes of engaging Southwestern tribes in five examples to highlight some significant activities for collaborating with tribes on water resources research and management. In discussing the engagement approaches of these five selected cases, we considered the four "simple rules" of tribal research, which are to ask about ethics, do more listening, follow tribal research protocols, and give back to the community. For the five select cases of collaboration involving Southwestern tribes, the success of external researchers with the tribes involved comprehensive engagement of diverse tribal audience from grassroots level to central tribal government, tribal oversight, on-going dialogue, transparency of data, and reporting back. There is a strong recognition of the importance of engaging tribal participants in water management discussions particularly with pressing impacts of drought, climate change, and mining and defining water rights.

5 pp.
As one of Arizona’s principal surface water systems, the Gila River has and will continue to be a valuable and highly sought after water source. The river, its tributaries, and underlying groundwater reserves have enabled a robust farming, ranching, and mining heritage, while providing a rich and diverse riparian landscape in an arid region. However, as much as these water resources have shaped the history of the watershed, a variety of legal, economic, and climatic uncertainties will undoubtedly – and potentially drastically – influence future water supplies. An understanding of the area’s water limits and a broad-based effort to more efficiently manage water usage are critically needed to cope with these uncertainties and maintain a secure water supply to support community health and preserve the rural lifestyle so central to the region. This document summarizes the legal system for water in the Upper Gila Watershed and a conceptual water budget analysis to quantify the region’s available supply, relative to current and projected future demand.

Thesis (M.Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2003.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 103-105).
The purpose of this thesis is to contribute to the understanding of the water resources management of the St. Thomas water market. By applying the framework for Integrated Water Resources Management, the actual water resources situation in the island was analyzed. This framework requires meeting three criteria: economic efficiency in water use, environmental and ecological sustainability, and equity in the access to water for all the population. The study includes the assessment of available water supply and water demand by use, and the evaluation of alternative and feasible supply options to augment freshwater resources. Three potential main supply strategies for freshwater supply were identified and compared based on: 1) economic efficiency in water use, 2) environmental and ecological sustainability, and 3) equity in the access to water for all people. Four integrated strategies for future development and management of water resources in the island were recommended: 1) Gradually phasing out desalination based on distillation as the main strategy of water supply. This supply can be replaced with distributed reverse osmosis desalination and by importing water by submarine pipeline from Puerto Rico. 2) Gradually expanding the distribution system to the entire population, applying the funds saved by shifting to more cost-effective and sustainable freshwater supply alternatives. 3) Developing water trading policies within the island as well as with neighboring islands. 4) Improving accountability for available water supplies, which is a basic need for water managers and planners informed decision making.
by Pablo E. Buscemi.
M.Eng.

Water resources in many parts of the world, but particularly in Africa, face multiple pressures. These growing pressures, along with rainfall variability, pose significant risks to water resources and livelihoods. Over the past two decades the concept of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) has been presented as a panacea, but subscription to this model has not delivered the results expected. Despite a massive endeavour there is extensive evidence that IWRM remains difficult to implement, particularly in fragile states. In contrast, at local level the responsibility of communities to manage water supply systems forms a central component of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector policy. But WASH programmes are focused primarily on the supply of services, and not enough on water resources. Consequently, remarkably little has been written about the role of communities in monitoring and managing water resources. Also, few studies have examined the transitions fragile government institutions need to undertake to move from one (inferior) situation, to a much better one. This study used Action Research (AR) to investigate the role community-based institutions can play in monitoring water resources, alongside government authorities. Initial field research was conducted in Darfur and Niger before further work in Burkina Faso and Sierra Leone. It found that communities could monitor water resources with high degrees of success; however, continued external support is also required from responsible government institutions. Community-Based Water Resources Management (CBWRM) is considered a realistic and plausible approach for strengthening the water component in WASH programmes. This research argues that in fragile states there is greater potential to develop national water security plans from local- level initiatives. Adopting a “localised” approach is particularly important for countries that face the pervasive obstacles of short rainfall seasons: negligible hydrometeorological monitoring, limited water infrastructure and weak institutions. CBWRM warrants greater attention from the WASH sector and further research is needed to identify how effectively communities can manage water resources and scale up this approach once Water Resource Assessments (WRAs) have been conducted.

Even though practical water resources planning and management has evolved greatly, there is still a mismatch between it and Integrated Water Resources Management. In light of the European Water Framework Directive and other European Policies related to water and sustainability, the Ecosystem Services assessment and Water Accounting methodologies have been identified as tools that can help approaching Integrated Water Resources Management. However, the existing methodologies are disconnected from the real requirements of water resources planning and management in complex river basins such as the ones suffering from water scarcity. The Water Accounting frameworks adopt a financial accounting perspective that is too exhaustive for the purpose of transmitting the relevant water stocks and flows for water managers and users in a river basin, and that entail less accuracy in the global water balance. Also, the analysed Ecosystem Assessment Tools overlook the influence of water management as well as the temporal and spatial variability of water resources and demands. This Thesis proposes methodologies for Water Accounting and Ecosystem Services Assessment which overcome the identified limitations and are especially adapted to be implemented in water scarce river basins. The Australian Water Accounting Standards are simplified to avoid exhaustive accounting for the sake of accuracy and transparency of water management information. An improved version is fully designed, and some criteria are proposed to guide its implementation at river basin scale with the purpose of improving public information and governance. A set of Integrated Water Resources Management Tools embedded in the Decision Support System AQUATOOL is tailored with economic information in order to obtain the benefits of three Freshwater Ecosystem Services considering the influence of water management with a detailed time step. The application of the resulting methodologies to different cases of study show the relevance of adopting a water management perspective in order to capture all the complexity of water scarce river basins in the results, so that they are useful for informed decision making. The Water Accounting results disclose synthesised and relevant information for water users and other stakeholders about the state of water resources and their allocation and supply during the analysed period. The Freshwater Ecosystem Services assessment results reveal helpful to classify water bodies or watersheds according to their capacity to provide environmental benefits, and to analyse the tradeoffs between the traditional water demands and the Ecosystem Services beneficiaries. Finally, the methodologies are put into context inside the Integrated Water Resources Management process that covers the target variables to consider, the tools that allow analysing the influence of management actions on them, the indicators that are more informative to water managers, and the ways to transmit the information to the general public. Furthermore, the types of analyses which can be conducted with the proposed methodologies are detailed, and illustrated with examples in scientific literature. The presented research is based on published work, which is expanded or detailed, and includes other non published material. The result is a Thesis that provides improved results and conclusions with respect to the stand-alone papers.
A pesar de que la planificación y gestión de los recursos hídricos ha evolucionado enormemente, existe todavía discordancia entre la misma y la Gestión Integrada de Recursos Hídricos. A la luz de la Directiva Europea Marco del Agua y otras Políticas Europeas relacionadas con el agua y la sostenibilidad, la Contabilidad del Agua y la evaluación de los Servicios de los Ecosistemas se han identificado como herramientas que pueden ayudar a aproximarse a la Gestión Integrada de Recursos Hídricos. Sin embargo, las metodologías existentes actualmente están desconectadas de los requisitos reales de la planificación y gestión de los recursos hídricos en cuencas hidrográficas complejas como las que sufren de escasez hídrica. Los marcos de Contabilidad del Agua adoptan una perspectiva de contabilidad financiera que es demasiado exhaustiva para el propósito de transmitir información relevante sobre las reservas y flujos a los gestores y usuarios del agua en una cuenca, y conllevan menos precisión en el balance global de agua. Además, las herramientas analizadas para la evaluación de los Servicios de los Ecosistemas pasan por alto la influencia de la gestión del agua así como la variabilidad temporal y espacial de los recursos hídricos y las demandas. Esta Tesis propone metodologías para la Contabilidad del Agua y la Evaluación de los Servicios de los Ecosistemas que superan estas limitaciones y que están especialmente adaptadas para su implementación en cuencas con escasez de agua. Los Estándares Australianos de Contabilidad del Agua se simplifican para evitar la contabilidad exhaustiva a favor de la precisión y la transparencia en la información sobre la gestión del agua. Se diseña una versión mejorada y se proponen algunos criterios para guiar su implementación a escala de cuenca con el propósito de mejorar la información pública y la gobernanza. Un conjunto de herramientas para la Gestión Integrada de Recursos Hídricos que forman parte del Sistema Soporte a la Decisión AQUATOOL se une con información económica para obtener los beneficios generados por tres Servicios de los Ecosistemas de Agua Dulce considerando la influencia de la gestión del agua a una escala temporal detallada. La aplicación de las metodologías resultantes a distintos casos de estudio muestra la relevancia de adoptar una perspectiva de gestión del agua para capturar en los resultados la complejidad de las cuencas con escasez de agua, de modo que sean útiles para la toma de decisiones informadas. Los resultados de Contabilidad del Agua muestran información sintética y relevante para los usuarios del agua y otros actores interesados sobre el estado de los recursos hídricos, y su asignación y suministro durante el periodo analizado. Los resultados de la evaluación de los Servicios de los Ecosistemas de Agua Dulce se revelan útiles para clasificar las masas de agua o subcuencas de acuerdo con su capacidad para proporcionar beneficios ambientales y para analizar el equilibrio entre las demandas de agua tradicionales y los beneficiarios de los Servicios de los Ecosistemas. Finalmente, las metodologías se ponen en contexto dentro del proceso de Gestión Integrada de Recursos Hídricos que abarca las variables objetivo a considerar, las herramientas que permiten analizar la influencia de las acciones de gestión sobre ellas, los indicadores más informativos para los gestores del agua, y los modos de transmitir la información al público en general. Además, se detallan e ilustran con ejemplos en la literatura científica los tipos de análisis que pueden llevarse a cabo mediante las metodologías propuestas. La investigación que se presenta está basada en trabajos publicados, que se expanden o detallan, e incluye material no publicado. El resultado es una Tesis que proporciona resultados y conclusiones mejorados respecto a los artículos independientes.
A pesar que la planificació i la gestió dels recursos hídrics ha evolucionat enormement, existeix encara discordancia entre aquesta i la Gestió Integrada de Recursos Hídrics. A la llum de la Directiva Europea Marc de l'Aigua i altres Polítiques Europees relacionades amb l'aigua i la sostenibilidad, la Comptabilitat de l'Aigua i l'avaluació dels Serveis dels Ecosistemes s'han identificat com a ferramentes que poden ajudar a aproximar-se a la Gestió Integrada de Recusos Hídrics. No obstant això, les metodologies existents actualment estan desconnectades dels requeriments reals de la planificació i gestió dels recursos hídricos en conques hidrogràfiques complexes com les que pateixen d'escassesa hídrica. Els marcs de Comptabilitat de l'Aigua adopten una perspectiva de Comptabilitat financera que és massa exhaustiva per al propòsit de transmetre informacó relevant sobre les reserves i fluxes als gestors i usuaris de l'aigua en una conca, i comporten menys precisió al balanç global de l'aigua. A més, les ferramentes analitzades per a l'avaluació dels Serveis dels Ecosistemes passen per alt la influència de la gestió de l'aigua així com la variabilitat temporal i espacial dels recursos hídrics i les demandes. Aquesta Tesi proposa metodologies per a la Comptabilitat de l'Aigua i l'Avaluació dels Serveis dels Ecosistemes que superen aquestes limitacions i que estan especialment adaptades per a la seua implementació en conques amb escassesa d'aigua. Els Estàndards Australians de Comptabilitat de l'Aigua es simplifiquen per evitar la comptabilitat exhaustiva a favor de la precisió i la transparència en la informació sobre la gestió de l'aigua. Es dissenya una versió millorada i es proposen alguns criteris per guiar la seua implementació a escala de conca amb el propòsit de millorar la informació pública i la governança. Un conjunt de ferramentes per a la Gestió Integrada de Recursos Hídrics que formen part del Sistema Suport a la Decisió AQUATOOL s'uneix amb informació econòmica per obtindre els beneficis generats per tres Serveis dels Ecosistemes d'Aigua Dolça considerant la influència de la gestió de l'aigua a una escala temporal detallada. L'aplicació de les metodologies resultants als distints casos d'estudi mostren la rellevància d'adoptar una perspectiva de gestió de l'aigua per capturar als resultats la complexitat de les conques amb escassesa d'aigua, de manera que siguen útils per a la presa de decisions informades. Els resultats de la Comptabilitat de l'Aigua mostren informació sintètica i rellevant per als usuaris i altres actors interessats sobre l'estat dels recursos hídric, i la seua assignació i subministrament al llarg del període analitzat. Els resultats de l'avaluació dels Serveis dels Ecosistemes d'Aigua Dolça es revelen útils per classificar les masses d'aigua o subconques d'acord amb la seua capacitat per proporcionar beneficis ambientals i per analitzar l'equilibri entre les demandes d'aigua tradicionals i els beneficiaris dels Serveis dels Ecosistemes. Finalment, les metodologies es posen en context dins del procés de Gestió Integrada de Recursos Hídrics que abarca les variables objectiu a considerar, les ferramentes que permeten analitzar la influència de les accions de gestió sobre elles, els indicadors més informatius per als gestors de l'aigua, i les maneres de transmetre la informació al públic en general. A més, es detallen i il¿lustren amb exemples en la literatura científica els tipus d'anàlisis que es poden portar a terme mitjançant les metodologies propostes. La investigació que es presenta està basada en treballs publicats, que s'expandeixen o detallen, i inclou material no publicat. El resultat és una Tesis que proporciona resultats i conclusions millorades respecte als articles independents.
Momblanch Benavent, A. (2016). Assessment of Ecosystem Services and Water Accounting Methodologies for Integrated Water Resources Management in water scarce basins [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/75523
TESIS

Many promising tools and methods developed in water resources systems analysis research have seen little uptake outside of academia. This may be due to a lack of effective communication about the research to water managers, or it may be because the tools are not ultimately useful or usable in practice. Current predominant research frameworks do not provide insight into these issues or facilitate the incorporation of industry needs into research agendas.

This dissertation introduces a structured research approach called the Participatory Framework for Assessment and Improvement of Tools (ParFAIT) that formally connects researchers and water managers in purposeful, iterative exercises to educate about promising tools, evaluate their usefulness and usability, and draw practitioner feedback into academic agendas. The process is founded on co-production concepts and involves two workshops which are designed to ultimately result in: a broadly relatable vehicle to demonstrate the tool (a testbed), practitioner feedback about the tool resulting from hands-on workshop experience, tool-specific as well as more general industry context, and definitive suggestions for increasing the relevance of future research.

ParFAIT is demonstrated by testing Multiobjective Evolutionary Algorithm (MOEA)-assisted optimization for long term water utility planning with a group of Front Range, Colorado, water managers. The first workshop informed the creation of the Eldorado Utility Planning Model, a complex but hypothetical testbed designed to be widely relatable to participants. MOEA-assisted optimization was performed on the testbed using workshop-informed formulations of planning decisions, objectives, constraints, and planning scenarios. The optimization results formed the basis of a second workshop at which managers worked directly with testbed output in structured activities and discussions.

This ParFAIT study found that practitioners consider the information provided by MOEA-assisted optimization to be useful for several aspects of their long term planning processes, but that there are important considerations for ensuring usability of the tool itself and its output. One important consideration is the interpretation of complex MOEA results. Based on this feedback, this work presents a novel application of Multivariate Regression Tree analysis to extract system insights from MOEA-assisted optimization results.

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Water is a specific good, economically, socially or environmentally speaking. Different and opposed theoretical points of view have already been developed to describe good water management models, from the Integrated Resources Management of the World Bank, to a humanitarian vision of the management of water. The first part of this dissertation tries to synthesize the different existing models, discussing the hypothesis that the traditional public/ private distinction is not enough relevant to explain the efficiency of a specific water management model. Then, we chose to compare two cities: São Paulo and Paris. São Paulo faced a severe water crisis whereas Paris’ water management has been very successful with a new remunicipalization of its water and sanitation services. The second part of this dissertation provides a good example of factors that are crucial for the success of any water management model, underlining the role of governance and new management practices. This dissertation aims at giving new insights for governments in understanding efficient water management models, especially in the case of the water crisis in Sao Paulo. Also, other actors dealing with water issues, such as multinational companies, could have new tools to improve efficiency in this field.
Água é um bem específico, tanto do ponto de vista econômico, social quanto para a proteção do ambiente. Diferentes pontos de vista teóricos já foram explorados, por exemplo the Integrated Resources Management do Banco Mundial ou uma visão humanitária da gestão de água. A primeira parte dessa dissertação tenta sintetizar os modelos já existentes, e desenvolve a hipótese de que a tradicional distinção público / privado não é pertinente para explicar a eficiência de um modelo de gestão de água específico. Na segunda parte, comparamos duas cidades: São Paulo e Paris. São Paulo enfrenta uma grave crise de água, enquanto o modelo de gestão de água de Paris é um verdadeiro sucesso com a remunicipalização dos serviços de água e saneamento. Essa parte da dissertação traz um exemplo dos fatores necessários para o sucesso de qualquer modelo de gestão de água, sublinhando o papel e a importância da governança e de novas formas de gestão e administração. Essa dissertação tem por objetivo trazer perspectivas novas para governos, especialmente para a crise de água em São Paulo. Ainda, outros agentes econômicos que lidam com os desafios de água e saneamento, como as empresas privadas, podem também encontrar novos instrumentos e idéias, para melhorar eficiência nesse setor.

The handbook presented in this paper summarises the results of the research initiative “International Water Research Alliance Saxony” (IWAS). The subproject “IWAS Vietnam” (Phase I, October 2008 – December 2010) focuses on the model region “South-East Asia” with emphasis on Vietnam. The project started as a joint research initiative between German and Vietnamese organisations and included contributions from academic, private and public sector in both countries. The handbook was compiled by the Technische Universität Dresden (project coordination), the Institute for Technical and Scientific Hydrology and Dresden Drainage and Sewerage Company, with substantial contributions from Vietnamese partners
Sổ tay hướng dẫn trong bài viết này tóm lược các kết quả của sáng kiến nghiên cứu từ “Liên minh Nghiên cứu ngành nước quốc tế bang Saxony” (IWAS). Dự án nhánh “IWAS Việt Nam” (giai đoạn 1, 10/2008 - 12/2010) tập trung vào khu vực Đông Nam Á với trọng tâm là Việt Nam. Dự án khởi động như một sáng kiến liên kết nghiên cứu giữa các tổ chức của CHLB Đức và Việt Nam với sự đóng góp từ các đơn vị tư nhân, nhà nước và trường đại học của cả hai quốc gia. Quyển sổ tay này được biên soạn bởi Đại học Kỹ thuật Dresden (cơ quan điều phối dự án), Viện Công nghệ và Khoa học Thủy văn, và Công ty Thoát nước Dresden, cùng với sự đóng góp quan trọng của các đối tác Việt Nam

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Florida, 1999.
Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xxii, 303 p.; also contains graphics (some colored). Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 291-302).

Hydrological models are a simplified representation of hydrological processes and can be very used for the water resources assessment and gain an integral view of the water resources status for integrated water resources management IWRM. Furthermore, they can be used to investigate the possible impacts and trends resulting from different types of scenarios, such as climate change impact studies. Accordingly, with IWRM as the future application, the primary objectives of this study is to use a hydrological model, SWAT for the modelling of a highly-regulated river basin through the physical flow control (reservoirs release in the upstream region), the Dee River Watershed in the United Kingdom. Moreover, an essential aspect of model input uncertainty, i.e. precipitation is investigated on the simulated streamflow where different methods of rainfall pre-processing are used. Furthermore, a quantile regression method is employed for analysing the long-term historical trend of rainfall, river flow and catchment water yields focusing on the patterns of the data close to 'extreme' regimes, to link them to the events of interests for the climate change impact studies. Additionally, a reliable simulation of both land surface and groundwater hydrological processes is a far important step for IWRM. One way to achieve such purpose is the coupling of surface and groundwater models. The land surface model (SWAT) is coupled with the groundwater flow model (MODFLOW) to improve the baseflow simulation of the SWAT standalone in the study area. Another critical aspect of this study is the investigation of parameter uncertainty of the coupled SWAT-MODFLOW. Finally, the climate projection data from the CMIP5 project is utilised with allocation model, Water Evaluation and Planning software WEAP to address climate change impact for future scenarios on water resources. All presented models performed well in demonstrating the study conditions, as indicated by the statistical performance. The research approach of the integrated models can generally apply to any catchment and inspired by the need of considering all aspects related to hydrological models for IWRM to bridge the gap of between stakeholder involvement and natural hydrological processes in building and applying integrated models to ensure acceptability and application in decision-making for IWRM.

Water resources management has to deal with complex real life problems under uncertain framework conditions. One possibility for encountering such challenges is integrated water resources management (IWRM). However, IWRM is often understood as prescriptive manual, not acknowledging the need for adaptive solutions and capacity development (CD). These challenges demonstrate that sustainable water resources management requires transdisciplinarity, i.e. the integration of several scientific disciplines, as well as the collaboration between science and local actors. Transdisciplinarity is inherently related to CD since it facilitates collaboration and provides mutual learning and knowledge on complex interrelationships. This correlates with the evidence that CD can be seen as a key factor for water resources management (Alaerts et al. 1991, Alaerts 2009). Consequently, the objective of this thesis is to strengthen water resources management by connecting processes of IWRM and CD in a transdisciplinary sense, i.e. (i) interrelating disciplinary research within an interdisciplinary research team that collaborates with local actors, and (ii) conducting a political process for knowledge and capacity development. Based on general insights, an embedded case study in the Western Bug River Basin, Ukraine, was conducted to evaluate the concept. It is shown that CD is essential for shifting from IWRM theories towards implementation and accordingly advantages of harmonizing CD into the IWRM process are presented (Leidel et al. 2012). Next to capacity issues, also other coordination gaps were assessed. River Basin Organisations are frequently proposed as a response to the administrative gap; however, coordination efforts cannot be simply reduced by transferring tasks from jurisdictional institutions to a river basin authority, because they will always need to coordinate with organizations from within or outside the water sector (von Keitz and Kessler 2008). Thus, coordination mechanisms across the boundaries of relevant policy fields are essential. Therefore, a management framework is established linking technical development and capacity development that describes interrelations between environmental pressures and capacity and information gaps for different levels of water management (Leidel et al. 2014). The developed model-based and capacity-based IWRM framework combines model-based systems analysis and capacity analysis for developing management options that support water management actors. This is aligned with a political process for capacity development. It constitutes a boundary object for approaching cross-scale challenges that converges analyses, assessments and participation into one strategy. As concluded by Mollinga (2008), this can improve the performance of sustainable resources management by approaching transdisciplinarity. Within the model and capacity-based IWRM framework, the results of the integrated analysis are made explicit and transparent by introducing a matrix approach. Technical issues, institutional challenges, organizational and human resources development, and information needs are jointly assessed and interrelated by confronting pressures and coordination gaps on a subsystem basis. Accordingly, the concept supports a transparent decision making process by identifying knowledge and capacities required for the implementation of technical intervention options and vice versa. The method is applied in the International Water Research Alliance Saxony (IWAS) model region ‘Ukraine’. It could be shown that the approach delivers management options that are scientifically credible and also accepted by and relevant for the actors. The case study revealed that technical intervention measures for the urban and rural water management have to be jointly implemented with appropriate CD measures and an accompanying political process on (i) strengthening the institutional framework and interministerial collaboration, (ii) fitting RBM into the existing institutional framework, (iii) setting up prerequisites for realistic RBM (Monitoring, information management, legal enforcement), (iv) a revision of effluent standards and a differentiated levy system, (v) cost covering tariffs, (vi) association work. For the Western Bug River Basin (WBRB), the strengthening of the collaboration between actors on all levels has to be continued. For increasing the usability, the approach needs to be institutionalized and become more practice relevant, e.g. by extending it to a water knowledge management system. Developing a roadmap for establishing transboundary water management is a subsequent step. For strengthening future water management actors, IWRM curricula development at uni-versities in Ukraine was supported. And we developed the e-learning module IWRM-education that links interactively different aspects of water management to comprehend the complexity of IWRM (Leidel et al. 2013). The evaluation showed that participants under-stand the content, appreciate this way of learning, and will use this module for further activities. The case study showed that technical cooperation can be a facilitator for political processes and that it can support decision making in a transparent way. Yet, it also showed that IWRM is highly political process and that the developed approach cannot cover all obstacles. In summary, exploring and reducing simultaneously environmental pressures and capacity and information gaps is essential for water sector evolution worldwide. Accordingly, transdisciplinarity as a means for capacity development can support the implementation of real integrated water resources management.