Dispute over Water Resource Management—Iraq and Turkey

As a downstream region, Iraq was ranked among the richest Middle Eastern countries with regards to water resources. The world witnessed the emergence of a magnificent ancient civilization that largely relied on agriculture with extraordinary irrigation systems. However, during the last decade, Iraq began to suffer dramatically from inadequate water shares, desertification, and several other environmental issues due to the absence of proper resource management and, not least, various political conflicts. Numerous global water wars, particularly ones involving developing countries, reflect the importance of water shares and potential demand for water. Iraq, Turkey, and Syria, riparian watercourse countries, have engaged in a long-term water dispute that continues to yield no end through mutual agreement. This present work highlights the major events of this dispute, evaluates the causes and current water challenges, and provides a comprehensive solution through the establishment of the Iraqi Water Security Council.

Urban Water Supply Industry Marketization of China in View of Public Water Service and Water Resource Management

Started with the discussions on the value orientation of urban water supply industry marketization,the article points out that the current urban water supply industry marketization reform is inconsistent with the goal of public water service equalization to some extent.The article also analyzes the problems emerged in urban water supply industry marketization reform and various rea-sons in view of efficiency and fairness.An efficiency and fairness oriented management model is built in this article to illustrate how the government should conciliate interests of various communities involved in the process of marketization reform of the urban water supply industry so as to actualize the coordination of efficiency and fairness.At the end,an assumption on urban water price is put forward to help achieve the public water service equalization.

The Local Process of Governance in Integrated Water Resource Management： An Example of the Wadi El K^bir Watershed （Northeast of Algeria）

Alternatives to the sectoral and public policies and regulations of environmental and water resources＇ protection, and the experiments of integrated management have been rapidly multiplied since the year 1990. Water constitutes a principal stake of these environmental policies in the majority of the countries and especially in the countries of North Africa as Algeria, where this resource is threatened by repeated dryness and by the impact of the climate change. The integrated water resource management reflects today the world tendency of the governments to exploit and preserve this resource by a way based on a process of governance, which passes by the dialog of diversified actors （various sectors）. According to this policy and to the promulgation of the Algerian National Report on State effective implementation and coordination mechanisms are required. How this principle of integrated water management will be executed with various scenarios in Algeria and what are the main difficulties that can be met？ Or, more exactly, what are the variables that can influence the operation of the local water process governorship？ This analysis will be carried out through the example of the Wadi El K6bir watershed located in the northeast of Algeria, which is real natural area of water supply that feeds the communities, the natural and artificial basins, and preserves the perenniality of the existing natural ecosystems especially the one of the natural park classified by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization （U.N.E.S.C.O） in 1989 as the inheritance of humanity and six other sites classified according to the Ramsar convention as wetlands of international importance to be preserved.

Economically Precise Water Resource Management for Domestic Usage in India

In the present years water resource that can be utilized for domestic usage is getting reduced dramatically. In order to have sufficient water for the utilization of future generation, it is our duty to conserve and utilize the available water in a very efficient way. This paper is aimed to help the people to conserve water;it is done with the help of an embedded system that is reconfigurable depending on the number of persons in the family. The system consists of three modules. Each has a different purpose, one module senses the water level present in the tank and intimates the user regarding when the water is needed to be restored. The second module deals with the division of water based on the type of application for which is intended. The third module deals with intimating the municipality regarding the availability of water. All the three modules combine to work in conserving the water;as a result, we can consume nearly 30% per year per head. So this would result in a large amount of conservation of water. Thus the saved water can be reused for several applications.

Virtual Water Trade as a Strategy to Water Resource Management in Iran

Agriculture has historically played a central role in the economy, life and culture of the Iranian population. Nowadays, this sector is facing the reality that its natural fresh water resources become fully utilized. Considering the climate conditions and limitation of using new water resources and the necessity of increasing agricultural product as a result of population growth, there is a general doubt about Iran’s ability to maintain this level of production amid the mounting water challenges, among other obstacles. Therefore, the evaluation of virtual water and water footprint can provide new indicators for informing water policy decisions. So, in order to study the situation at the national level, we estimated virtual water consumption in term of virtual water theory as well water footprint in agriculture sector of Iran. Data from 2001-2008 were used to account for yearly. The results of this study show that Iran has water import dependency and also net water import is 12.7 billion m3 averages. So Iran country saved 12.7 billion m3 from their domestic water resource for utilization in other sectors. Finally, it should be concluded that virtual water trade as a policy measure to water resources management will be provided to a great extent in order to reach both significant water saving and environmental sustainability.

Comparison of Water Resource Management Programs: An Algae Action Threshold Level Approach

Water resource management programs designed to control nuisance algal infestations have historically been dominated by reactive approaches. With increased regulatory scrutiny regarding algaecide use, data regarding efficacy of integrated management approaches are needed. This research outlines an efficient method of comparing management programs based upon exceeding designated algae action threshold levels (AATL) in pond systems. Phosphorus mitigating technologies were specifically evaluated as phosphorus had been indicated in supporting many nuisance algal types/densities. The objectives of this research were to evaluate pond management programs in terms of action thresholds exceeded, number of reactive algaecide treatments and algaecide amount required to maintain ponds below AATL. This research compared management programs consisting of: 1) Copper sulfate;2) SeClear Algaecide and Water Quality Enhancer;and 3) Phoslock phosphorus binding technology plus SeClear (as needed). Water and algae samples were analyzed every two weeks over two growing seasons on replicated research ponds and compared with designated AATL parameters. If an AATL was exceeded, then a reactive algaecide treatment was implemented for the corresponding water body. Ponds managed by copper sulfate alone exceeded a greater amount of AATL and required a significantly greater (P < 0.05) amount of reactive algaecide treatments to maintain control (average 6.5 annually) whereas SeClear and Phoslock plus ponds required 4.3 and 1.8 treatments, respectively. The average amount of copper applied to maintain ponds below AATL was 1414 g with copper sulfate whereas copper amendments were significantly decreased with SeClear (830 g) and even further with Phoslock plus management programs (342 g). Additionally, management programs incorporating nutrient mitigation required fewer treatments and less copper in year two of the program. This research provides valuable information for water resource managers to evaluate integrated approaches to water resource management in terms of social, economic, operational and regulatory viewpoints.

Artificial Intelligence Technique in Hydrological Forecasts Supporting for Water Resources Management of a Large River Basin in Vietnam

Hydrological forecasting plays an important role in water resource management, supporting socio-economic development and managing water-related risks in river basins. There are many flow forecasting techniques that have been developed several centuries ago, ranging from physical models, physics-based models, conceptual models, and data-driven models. Recently, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an advanced technique applied as an effective data-driven model in hydrological forecasting. The main advantage of these models is that they give results with compatible accuracy, and require short computation time, thus increasing forecasting time and reducing human and financial effort. This study evaluates the applicability of machine learning and deep learning in Hanoi water level forecasting where it is controlled for flood management and water supply in the Red River Delta, Vietnam. Accordingly, SANN (machine learning algorithm) and LSTM (deep learning algorithm) were tested and compared with a Physics-Based Model (PBM) for the Red River Delta. The results show that SANN and LSTM give high accuracy. The R-squared coefficient is greater than 0.8, the mean squared error (MSE) is less than 20 cm, the correlation coefficient of the forecast hydrology is greater than 0.9 and the level of assurance of the forecast plan ranges from 80% to 90% in both cases. In addition, the calculation time is much reduced compared to the requirement of PBM, which is its limitation in hydrological forecasting for large river basins such as the Red River in Vietnam. Therefore, SANN and LSTM are expected to help increase lead time, thereby supporting water resource management for sustainable development and management of water-related risks in the Red River Delta.

Overall-effective Measures for Sustainable Water Resources Management in the Coastal Areas of Shandong Province, China——Case Study: the Huangshuihe River Catchment of Longkou City

In the coastal catchments of Shandong Province the water scarcity is aggravated due to saltwater intrusion, reducing the usability of water resources available. Such a situation calls for sustainable integrated water resources management (IWRM). The idea for the objectives and implementation of the IWRM are explained in this paper. The general objective of the planned project disscussed in the present study is to bring together German traditional expertise in water resources management and newer developments in the context of the European Water Framework Directive; the research efforts aim to relieve the desperate water scarcity situation in the costal area of Shandong Province.

Emergency Plan for Water Supply in Consecutive Droughts and Sustainable Water Resources Management in Beijing

Beijing, the capital city of China, has suffered from acute water shortage, with only 300 m3/a of water resources available per capita. In addition, Beijing has experienced a prolonged period of consecutive droughts from 1999 to 2010. Water crisis has constrained the socio-economic development of Beijing. Meanwhile, the national "South-to-North Water Transfer"（STNWT） project, which is expected to provide some relief to the water crisis in Beijing, is still under development. In order to ensure the security of water supply in Beijing before the completion of the STNWT project, several measures have been implemented to cope with droughts, including pumping groundwater from emergency well fields,water saving, recycling of water, rain and flood water harvesting, and the diversion of water from neighboring rivers and groundwater basins. Groundwater from four emergency well fields contributes the most to the public and domestic water supplies in Beijing, supplying a total volume of 1.8×10;m;.The water crisis is supposed to be mitigated by the completion of the STNWT project. After the completion of this project, more sustainable management of water resources will be implemented,including the use of aquifers as groundwater reservoirs and conjunctive use of surface water and groundwater resources.

Integrated Water Resources Management in the Sandougou Catchment Area(Senegal):Going beyond Soil Defence and Restoration(SDR)

The Sandougou River is the last major right bank tributary of the Gambia River.It has a catchment area of 11,668 km² and is located in Senegalese territory.The flow in this sloping basin(1‰)is favoured by the conservation of soils and vegetation.Since 1970,global rainfall trends(below the average of 800 mm)have shown a drought affecting the whole basin with an average deficit of 100 mm per year.In addition,erosion phenomenon combined with high rainfall intensities explains the rapid run-off.This constitutes a considerable loss of water resources,up to 20%in the Sandougou basin.In this rural area where primary activities predominate,anthropogenic pressure is considerable.Indeed,overexploitation of firewood,resulting from the strong dependence of local populations on this resource,is at the origin of deforestation in the Sandougou basin.Such a situation contributes to environmental degradation and also has repercussions on soil erosion.Erosion affects the water retention capacity of the soil making it more susceptible to extreme conditions such as drought.The impact of soil erosion on more remote sites is not always as apparent as the impact of erosion on the site itself.Sediment reaching watercourses can accelerate slope erosion,silt up drainage ditches and streams,silt up reservoirs,cover spawning areas and reduce water quality.Fertilizers frequently transported with soil particles can contaminate or pollute water sources.To cope with this dynamic,soil defence and restoration(SDR)techniques have long been considered as the solution to the problems.However,the multifaceted nature of environmental problems and their persistence leads to the consideration of a more holistic approach.In the Sandougou catchment area,the application of article R50 of the Senegalese Forestry Code,the implementation of planning tools(AP-IWRM),institutional development in the framework of integrated water resources management(IWRM)prove the interest of such an approach for the protection of water resources.

Reviews of the research on water resources management system at home and abroad

The reform of the system of water resource management abroad has started since the 50s of last century, it has left us a lot of experiences in many aspects with the innovation of system, such as the legal environment in water resources, water rights, water market theory, and the ＂participation＂ management of water resources, these experiences has been promoted in more than 40 developing countries. Based on analyzing the theory and experiences of water resources management both at home and abroad, especially the theory and experiences of agricultural water resources management, this paper puts forward the main problems waiting for further investigation in China＇s water resources management and provides some reference and inspiration for the innovation of the system of water resource management in China.

Evaluation of regional water resources carrying capacity based on binary index method and reduction index method

Based on the regional water resources carrying capacity(WRCC)evaluation principles and evaluation index system in the National Technical Outline of Water Resources Carrying Capacity Monitoring and Early Warning(hereafter referred to as the Technical Outline),this paper elaborates on the collection and sorting of the basic data of water resources conditions,water resources development and utilization status,social and economic development in basins,analysis and examination of integrity,consistency,normativeness,and rationality of the basic data,and the necessity of WRCC evaluation.This paper also describes the technique of evaluating the WRCC in prefecture-level cities and city-level administrative divisions in the District of the Taihu Lake Basin,which is composed of the Taihu Lake Basin and the Southeastern River Basin.The evaluation process combines the binary index evaluation method and reduction index evaluation method.The former,recommended by the Technical Outline,uses the total water use and the amount of exploited groundwater as evaluation indices,showing stronger operability,while the latter is developed by simplifying and optimizing the comprehensive index system with greater systematicness and completeness.The mutual validation and adjustment of the results of the above-mentioned two evaluation methods indicate that the WRCC of the District of the Taihu Lake Basin is overloaded in general because some prefecture-level cities and city-level administrative divisions in the Taihu Lake Basin and the Southeastern River Basin are in a severely overloaded state.In order to explain this conclusion,this paper analyzes the causes of WRCC overloading from the aspects of basin water environment,water resources development and utilization,water resources regulation and control ability,water resources utilization efficiency,and water resources management.

System dynamics model of Suzhou water resources carrying capacity and its application

A model of Suzhou water resources carrying capacity （WRCC） was set up using the method of system dynamics （SD）. In the model, three different water resources utilization programs were adopted： （1） continuity of existing water utilization, （2） water conservation/saving, and （3） water exploitation. The dynamic variation of the Suzhou WRCC was simulated with the supply-decided principle for the time period of 2001 to 2030, and the results were characterized based on socio-economic factors. The corresponding Suzhou WRCC values for several target years were calculated by the model. Based on these results, proper ways to improve the Suzhou WRCC are proposed. The model also produced an optimized plan, which can provide a scientific basis for the sustainable utilization of Suzhou water resources and for the coordinated development of the society, economy, and water resources.

A simulation-based two-stage interval-stochastic programming model for water resources management in Kaidu-Konqi watershed,China

This study presented a simulation-based two-stage interval-stochastic programming （STIP） model to support water resources management in the Kaidu-Konqi watershed in Northwest China. The modeling system coupled a distributed hydrological model with an interval two-stage stochastic programing （ITSP）. The distributed hydrological model was used for establishing a rainfall-runoff forecast system, while random parameters were pro- vided by the statistical analysis of simulation outcomes water resources management planning in Kaidu-Konqi The developed STIP model was applied to a real case of watershed, where three scenarios with different water re- sources management policies were analyzed. The results indicated that water shortage mainly occurred in agri- culture, ecology and forestry sectors. In comparison, the water demand from municipality, industry and stock- breeding sectors can be satisfied due to their lower consumptions and higher economic values. Different policies for ecological water allocation can result in varied system benefits, and can help to identify desired water allocation plans with a maximum economic benefit and a minimum risk of system disruption under uncertainty.

Comparison of water resources management between China and the United States

As the world’s top two economies,the United States(U.S.)and China face a number of similar water resources problems.Yet,few studies have been done to systematically compare policies and approaches on water resources management between China and the U.S.This study compares water resources policies of China and the U.S.in the areas of national authority,water supply,water quality,and ecosystem use of the water to draw lessons learned and shed light on water resources management in China,the U.S.,and the rest of the world.The lessons learned from the comparison include six aspects.1)New paradigms of people-water harmony and a water-saving society are urgently needed to address the pressing water crisis and achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals(UN SDGs).2)A comprehensive,consistent,forward-looking national policy is necessary to achieve sustainable use of water resources.3)Empowerment of river basin commissions with comprehensive authority over the integrative management of air,land,water,and biological resources in the river basin could significantly enhance the benefits and effectiveness of economic development and environmental protection.4)Expansion of water exchange through market mechanisms among water users promotes efficient and beneficial water uses.5)Use of water for ecosystem services should be an integral part of water resources management.China has set up a national blueprint for achieving ecological civilization;maintaining appropriate amounts of flow in rivers and lakes for maintenance of wildlife and fisheries and ecosystems should be institutionalized as part of this national strategy as well.6)By sharing their rich experiences and lessons in water resources management,economic development,and ecological protection with other countries,China and the U.S.can help the world to achieve global human-water harmony and the UN SDGs.

Analysis on the situation and countermeasures of water resources supply and demand in the cities of small and medium-sized river basins along southeast coast of China-taking Xiamen City as an example

The small and medium-sized river basins along southeast coast of China hold comparatively abundant water resources.However,the rapid resources urbanization in recent years has produced a series of water problems such as deterioration of river water quality,water shortage and exacerbated floods,which have constrained urban economic development.By applying the principle of triple supply-demand equilibrium,this paper focuses on the estimation of levels of water supply and demand in 2030 at different guarantee probabilities,with a case study of Xiamen city.The results show that water shortage and inefficient utilization are main problems in the city,as the future water supply looks daunting,and a water shortage may hit nearly 2×10^(8)m^(3)in an extraordinarily dry year.Based on current water supply-demand gap and its trend,this paper proposes countermeasures and suggestions for developing and utilizing groundwater resources and improving the utilization rate of water resources,which can supply as a reference for other southeast middle-to-small-sized basin cities in terms of sustainable water resources and water environment protection.

Research on the Sustainable Utilization of Water Resources of Jinan City

The study on the sustainable utilization of water resources of Jinan city is a research hotspot in the urban sustainable development field.How to use a scientific and rational evaluation index system to analyze the sustainable utilization of water resources of Jinan city and then guide the development and utilization of water resources becomes particularly important.Based on the theory of sustainable development this study introduces the method,basic steps and evaluation indexes of the assessment of the development and utilization of water resources.By systemic analyzing the exploitation and utilization standards of water resources and economy and society in Jinan city,the evaluation and index system of sustainable utilization of water resources in Jinan city can be constructed and index weight can be confirmed,and then,the standard of sustainable utilization of water resources in different years can be analyzed comparably.Thus,the deficiency of lack of reflection of coordination extent in water resources development standard,society and economy in traditional evaluation method is settled efficiently.The paper takes the sustainable utilization of water resources of Qingdao City in 2008 as the standard to compare and assess the water resources utilization in Jinan City.The paper also collects data of water resources in Jinan City from 2001 to 2007.The result indicates that evaluation method is of feasibility and it is effective to the implementation of sustainable utilization strategy water resources in Jinan City.

Biological Evaluation Based Quality Management of Water Resources in Small Xingkai Lake

Taking the water ecosystem of Small Xingkai Lake as research object,through the survey and analysis of aquatic organism indicators,this paper established an ecosystem integrity evaluation system with the biological integrity as the criterion layer. Using the index of biological integrity and comprehensive health index,it evaluated the health status of water ecosystem of Small Xingkai Lake.

Water Resource Management and Its Role in Development of Integrated Mountainous Agriculture——A Case from Ningnan County of Sichuan Province

This paper reviewed rainwater collection and water resource management in Ningnan County in southwestern mountain of China,as a case study for solving the problems of water management in a simple and sustainable way. In this mountainous agriculture system,private agricultural enterprises were introduced into local mountain agriculture to solve capital fund shortage for the construction of rainwater harvesting system. Agreement was signed by private agriculture enterprises with the target farmers to subscribe for the household agriculture production at a protection price. Cash invested by the enterprise and subsidy from the government were collected for purchasing materials,while the farmers supplied labors for the construction of water harvesting systems. The system solved the share of input and benefits between the local government,enterprise and household farms successfully. In addition,the micro water harvesting tanks and micro irrigate systems extend quickly in this mountainous county. Up to 2007,more than 12 000 rainwater harvesting tanks had been established and more than 8.5×104 hm2 dry arable land accounting for nearly 75% of the total arable land had been irrigated efficiently. Per capita income of farmer had been increased by 14 times in the past 20 years. Considerable potential for further improvement in implementation of the models for solving water shortage and water resource management in mountain region maybe depend on more local private agriculture enterprises and households than the government.