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Socioeconomic Indicators for Sustainable Water Management

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A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Water Resources Management, Policy and Governance".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2020) | Viewed by 43209

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. José M. Martínez-Paz

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Guest Editor

Department of Applied Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
Interests: water economics; agricultural economics; environmental economics

Dr. Francisco Alcon

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Guest Editor

Agricultural Economis, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Spain
Interests: agricultural economics; irrigation economics; technology adoption; non-market valuation; agroecosystem services valuation; discrete choice model

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Water resource management needs the development and application of indicators to monitor progress towards and trends for water sustainability in a full range of uses (domestics, agriculture, industry, and ecological) at spatial scales (farm, urban, basin, etc.). Moreover, water management has been increasingly challenged due to uncertainties resulting from climate change.

The information that these indicators should provide become more relevant for policy makers and practitioners in order to inform decisions aimed at the use of water in a sustainable way. Then, the adaptation of water resource management to global changes (including also the increment in demand) is one of the main futures that challenge socioeconomic systems.

This Special Issue aims to improve knowledge on the use of socioeconomic indicators for sustainable water management. Expanding research and innovation around this issue is necessary to promote the transition to sustainable use, management, and improvements in the social welfare of water. Both applied and methodological research papers are welcome, trying to create a set of studies that reflect the variety of existing approaches in this subject.

Prof. Dr. José M. Martínez-Paz
Dr. Francisco Alcon
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

Water Policy
Economic analysis of water
Water valuation
Water and agricultural ecosystem services
Preference elicitation
Economic, environmental or social indicators

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 1499 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Design of the Payments for Water-Related Ecosystem Services: What Should the Ideal Payment in Slovakia Look Like?

by Klára Báliková, Zuzana Dobšinská, Alessandro Paletto, Zuzana Sarvašová, Michaela Korená Hillayová, Martina Štěrbová, Jozef Výbošťok and Jaroslav Šálka

Water 2020, 12(6), 1583; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12061583 - 02 Jun 2020

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3282

Abstract

Water-related forest ecosystems services (WES) are vital to the functioning of the biosphere, society, and human well-being. In Slovakia, the active support of WES is provided by economic instruments of forest policy, while the market-based solution as payments for water-related services (PWS) is lacking. Starting from this point, the objective matter of the paper is to develop the payments for WES schemes in Slovakia. The study was based on document analysis and stakeholders´ opinions towards PWS. Fifteen Slovak stakeholders from forestry, water management, and nature protection were involved in the study. These stakeholders represent potential buyers, seller, intermediaries, and knowledge providers in PWS schemes. Based on the theoretical background and the results of the survey, the authors defined key aspects of the design and implementation of PWS schemes in Slovak conditions such as potential buyers and sellers, important factors for the implementation of PWS schemes, and the role of public authorities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Socioeconomic Indicators for Sustainable Water Management)

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17 pages, 12608 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Irrigation Cooling Effect as a Climate Regulation Service of Agroecosystems

by José Antonio Albaladejo-García, Francisco Alcon and José Miguel Martínez-Paz

Water 2020, 12(6), 1553; https://doi.org/10.3390/w12061553 - 29 May 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2479

Abstract

Agroecosystems provide a range of benefits to society and the economy, which we call ecosystem services (ES). These services can be evaluated on the basis of environmental and socioeconomic indicators. The irrigation cooling effect (ICE), given its influence on the land surface temperature (LST), is an indicator of climate regulation services from agroecosystems. In this context, the objective of this study is to quantify the ICE in agroecosystems at the local scale. The agroecosystem of citrus cultivation in Campo de Cartagena (Murcia, Spain) is used as a case study. Once the LST was retrieved by remote sensing images for 216 plots, multivariate regression methods were used to identify the factors that explain ICE. The use of a geographically weighted regression (GWR) model is proposed, instead of ordinary least squares, as it offsets the spatial dependence and gives a better fit. The GWR explains 78% of the variability in the LST, by means of three variables: the vegetation index, the water index of the crop, and the altitude. Thus, the effects of the change in land use on the LST due to restrictions on the availability of water (up to 1.22 °C higher for rain-fed crops) are estimated. The trade-offs between ICE and the other ES are investigated by using the irrigation water required to reduce the temperature. This work shows the magnitude of the climate regulation service generated by irrigated citrus and enables its quantification in agroecosystems with similar characteristics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Socioeconomic Indicators for Sustainable Water Management)

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22 pages, 2171 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Water Environment Management and Performance Evaluation in Central China: A Research Based on Comprehensive Evaluation System

by Yuangang Li, Weixin Yang, Xiaojuan Shen, Guanghui Yuan and Jiawei Wang

Water 2019, 11(12), 2472; https://doi.org/10.3390/w11122472 - 24 Nov 2019

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 3295

Abstract

As a developing country with insufficient water resources, China’s water environment management and performance evaluation have important research value. The three provinces (Henan, Hubei, and Hunan) in central China with typical significance in geographical location and water resources governance were selected as research objects in this paper. Based on the principal component analysis (PCA) method and the pressure-state-response (PSR) model, a comprehensive evaluation system for the water environment in those three provinces during 2011–2017 was established in this paper. The evaluation results show that: (1) The water environment management and performance evaluation of the three provinces in central China were generally poor in 2011–2012, but the overall trend was rising; (2) in 2013–2014, the situation was improved compared to the previous two years, but needed further enhancement; (3) in 2015–2017, the water environment management and performance of the three provinces showed significant improvement. Among them, the Hubei Province had the highest water environment evaluation value (1.692), and the Henan Province had the most significant progress (from 0.043 to 1.671). The contributions of this paper are: (1) The comprehensive evaluation model based on PCA and the PSR model was constructed to analyze the sustainable development of water environment in central China; (2) the performance evaluation system for water environment management, which could comprehensively evaluate the performance of water environment treatment and effectively reveal the correlation between various indicators, was established. The principal factors in water environment management can be obtained by this evaluation system. Based on the analysis of the reasons underlying the above changes, the corresponding policy recommendations for improving water environment management and performance in central China were suggested in order to provide a reference for further improvement of water environment management in developing countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Socioeconomic Indicators for Sustainable Water Management)

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21 pages, 3230 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Challenges for Water Security and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development: A Case Study of Industrial, Domestic Water Use and Pollution Management in Shandong, China

by Yi Liu, Zhengxian Zhang and Fengxian Zhang

Water 2019, 11(8), 1630; https://doi.org/10.3390/w11081630 - 07 Aug 2019

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 5724

Abstract

Comprehensive analysis of water use and pollution management plays an important role in regional water security and sustainable socio-economic development. This study applies the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC), Gini index and elasticity coefficient methods to conduct an investigation of industrial and domestic water use and pollution management in Shandong. The results show that industrial water pollution generally displayed a coordinated relationship with socio-economic development, while an uncoordinated relationship occurred between domestic water pollution and socio-economic development. Meanwhile, the Gini index between domestic water use and population in 2017 (0.101) was superior to that of 2003 (0.165), and the Gini index of industrial water use and second industry output in 2017 (0.273) was better than that of 2003 (0.292), indicating that the allocation and equity of domestic and industrial water use in Shandong kept to a good development trend. Additionally, the industrial effect is better than the domestic effect in terms of the control of wastewater emissions and the governance of typical pollutants in wastewater. Accordingly, domestic water pollution has gradually become one of the major sources of water pollution, and the allocation of industrial and domestic water use has room to improve further in Shandong. Conjunctive use of the aforementioned three methods provides an approach to investigate the integrated management of water use and water pollution control from multiple angles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Socioeconomic Indicators for Sustainable Water Management)

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18 pages, 2640 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Socioeconomic Impacts of LCD-Treated Drinking Water Distribution in an Urban Community of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

by Khadga Bahadur Shrestha, Tatsuru Kamei, Sadhana Shrestha, Yoko Aihara, Arun Prasad Bhattarai, Niranjan Bista, Bhesh Raj Thapa, Futaba Kazama and Junko Shindo

Water 2019, 11(7), 1323; https://doi.org/10.3390/w11071323 - 26 Jun 2019

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 6804

Abstract

Groundwater available in the Kathmandu Valley is not suitable for drinking due to chemical and microbial contamination. We installed a treatment system, which was made with locally available materials and was low-cost, and supplied drinking water to the intervention site where groundwater contains high amounts of ammonia, iron, and turbidity. This research aims to evaluate the socioeconomic impact of treated water distribution. One hundred households were randomly selected and asked to use treated water for drinking, and another 100 households in the nearby community were taken randomly as a control. We conducted questionnaire surveys with the enrolled households before and five months after starting water distribution to assess the water use patterns and quality perceptions. The socioeconomic impact of the intervention was evaluated by a pre-post comparison and by the difference-in-difference method. The intervention significantly enhanced most of the parameters of water quality perception, reduced the in-house water treatment, and improved the perceived water stress and quality of life. For the control site, these parameters generally became worse in the post-survey, which suggests that the survey might have affected people’s mindset regarding water security. The system is an option for sustainable management of drinking water in the water-scarce, hard-hit areas in the developing countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Socioeconomic Indicators for Sustainable Water Management)

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22 pages, 1888 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Participatory Crossover Analysis to Support Discussions about Investments in Irrigation Water Sources

by Melle J. Nikkels, Joseph H. A. Guillaume, Peat Leith, Neville J. Mendham, Pieter R. van Oel, Petra J. G. J. Hellegers and Holger Meinke

Water 2019, 11(7), 1318; https://doi.org/10.3390/w11071318 - 26 Jun 2019

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3276

Abstract

Regional long-term water management plans depend increasingly on investments by local water users such as farmers. However, local circumstances and individual situations vary and investment decisions are made under uncertainty. Water users may therefore perceive the costs and benefits very differently, leading to non-uniform investment decisions. This variation can be explored using crossover points. A crossover point represents conditions in which a decision maker assigns equal preference to competing alternatives. This paper presents, applies, and evaluates a framework extending the use of the concept of crossover points to a participatory process in a group setting. We applied the framework in a case study in the Coal River Valley of Tasmania, Australia. Here, farmers can choose from multiple water sources. In this case, the focus on crossover points encouraged participants to engage in candid discussions exploring the personal lines of reasoning underlying their preferences. Participants learned from others’ inputs, and group discussions elicited information and insights considered valuable for both the participants and for outsiders on the factors that influence preferences. We conclude that the approach has a high potential to facilitate learning in groups and to support planning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Socioeconomic Indicators for Sustainable Water Management)

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21 pages, 9621 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Condition Assessment of Water Infrastructures: Application to Segura River Basin (Spain)

by Mario Urrea-Mallebrera, Luis Altarejos-García, Juan García-Bermejo and Bartolomé Collado-López

Water 2019, 11(6), 1169; https://doi.org/10.3390/w11061169 - 04 Jun 2019

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2932

Abstract

The paper deals with the condition assessment of water management infrastructures such as storage facilities, water mains and water distribution facilities. The objective is to develop a methodology able to provide a fast, simple assessment of present asset condition, that can also be used for predicting future conditions under different investment scenarios. The authors investigate the use of different methodologies to assess condition with focus on simple, indirect condition indices based on maintenance records, such as Infrastructure Value Index (IVI) and Asset Sustainability Index (ASI). The novelty of the approach presented is the development of a methodology that combines an asset inventory together with maintenance data, that can be integrated hierarchically, delivering an assessment of condition of elements, assets and groups of assets in a bottom-up fashion. The methodology has been applied to a group of water management infrastructures of the Segura River Basin in Spain. The main conclusion is that the proposed methodology allows to assess assets’ sustainability based upon past and current trends in operation and maintenance budgets, providing a baseline for planning future maintenance actions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Socioeconomic Indicators for Sustainable Water Management)

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25 pages, 2008 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Are Groundwater Monitoring Networks Economical? Cost-Benefit Analysis on the Long-Term Groundwater Supply Project of South Korea

by Sun G. Kim and Gyoo-Bum Kim

Water 2019, 11(4), 753; https://doi.org/10.3390/w11040753 - 11 Apr 2019

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4396

Abstract

Analyses of the relative economic efficiencies of surface-water and groundwater are important for policy-makers in many water-stressed countries. Groundwater is becoming an increasingly attractive and viable option as a supplementary water source, but its economic background must be understood before implementation. Employing the basic frameworks of the British and US Geological Surveys, we examined the economic viability of groundwater monitoring networks in South Korea, based on an analytic hierarchy process (AHP), pairwise comparison, and cost–benefit analysis. The total cost including installation, maintenance and servicing over the next 50 years is estimated to be US$ 0.79 billion, while the benefits are valued at US$ 2.31 billion. The monitoring network should provide benefits worth 292% of the costs, with the monitoring project thus clearly being economically viable. A sensitivity analysis indicates that the monitoring project is still economical, even if the network installation schedule is delayed slightly. As this study combines both economic and scientific perspectives, it might provide a concrete economic background for implementing groundwater utilization projects elsewhere. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Socioeconomic Indicators for Sustainable Water Management)

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20 pages, 276 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Scorecard Assessment of Urban Water Pricing Policies—The Case of Jordan and Iran

by Mohammad Al-Saidi and Sudeh Dehnavi

Water 2019, 11(4), 704; https://doi.org/10.3390/w11040704 - 05 Apr 2019

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4197

Abstract

Urban water pricing is becoming increasingly important due to the rapid rate of urbanization and the expansion of water reclamation and reuse. The mounting evidence of failures of current pricing schemes makes analyzing their performance essential for understanding the adequacy of economic and sustainability policies in water management. However, urban water pricing policies are complex, serve multiple objectives, and vary widely across regions and countries. This paper presents an assessment framework for urban water pricing policies based on common conditions advocated for well-functioning pricing policies. Using a simplified scorecard, it compares the performance of urban water pricing policies in Jordan and Iran, two countries under growing scarcity pressure. Both countries show serious deficiencies with regard to the economic valuation of water services and the cost recovery of utilities. Public policies are rather oriented towards access and affordability, with Jordan showing a higher level of transparency and competition in tariff-setting. The assessment tool indicates a high potential for experience-sharing in future reforms, which should promote water as a scarce good. Such reforms need to prioritize full cost valuation, participation, and scientifically based designs of local and regional water tariffs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Socioeconomic Indicators for Sustainable Water Management)

30 pages, 4282 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Commercial Tanker Water Demand in Amman, Jordan—A Spatial Simulation Model of Water Consumption Decisions under Intermittent Network Supply

by Heinrich Zozmann, Christian Klassert, Katja Sigel, Erik Gawel and Bernd Klauer

Water 2019, 11(2), 254; https://doi.org/10.3390/w11020254 - 01 Feb 2019

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 5907

Abstract

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is confronted with a severe freshwater crisis shaped by excess water demand and intermittent public supply. In Jordan’s capital and most populous city, Amman, the pervasive water shortage gave rise to private tanker water operations, which transport groundwater from wells in the vicinity of the city and sell it to urban consumers. These tanker water markets have received little attention in the literature up to date, particularly with regard to their relevance for commercial water users. This paper aims to empirically estimate the water demand of commercial establishments in Amman under public supply rationing and to assess to which extent tanker operations contribute to meeting commercial water needs. Building on a prior simulation model of residential water consumption, the results of three extensive surveys concerned with tanker water markets and various geographic data, we develop a spatial agent-based model of the water consumption behavior of commercial establishments in different sizes. According to our estimation, 35–45% of the overall water volume consumed by the commercial sector stems from tanker operations, depending on the season. We find that the local disparities in access to affordable network water, along with the dispersion of groundwater wells around the city, result in considerable spatial differences in tanker water consumption. The outcome of this analysis could be relevant for policy attempting to enhance freshwater sustainability in Jordan. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Socioeconomic Indicators for Sustainable Water Management)

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