Showing papers on "Water scarcity published in 1988"

Irrigation Optimization Under Limited Water Supply

Abstract: Atwo-stage simulation/mathematical programming model was developed to determine the optimal intraseasonal allocation of irrigation water under conditions of limited water availability. The model was applied to a representative surface irrigated farm in Washington State's Columbia River Basin. Results from applying the model to a series of incifeasingly severe water shortage conditions indicated a large potential for water conservation in the assumed production setting. Farm-level water supply reductions of 40% translated to about 10% decrease in economic returns. Income losses resulting from water shortages were minimized through the conjunctive management of irrigation scheduling, irrigation labor practices, and several other short-run responses to water deficits. The combination of crop water simulation and farm-level economic optimization models was shown to be a compatible merger of techniques for representing the engineering and economic irrigation environment.

Multiobjectwe Allocation of Water Shortage in the Svarta River, Sweden

Abstract: A model is proposed for allocation of water shortages among competing water uses in the Svarta River basin in Sweden. The three major competing uses in the basin are hydroelectricity generation, irrigation water supply, and urban water supply. Minor uses that impact upon the allocation are minimum river flow requirements for fishlife and for dilution of treated wastewater, and storage level restrictions for recreation purposes in the main storage facility, Lake Sommen. Analysis of the competing demands on the water are modeled through the method-of-weights multiobjective technique using a deterministic mixed-integer optimization formulation. The (0–1) variables in the formulation are required to synthesize the restricted validity of permits for withdrawal of irrigation water from the river and to simulate the complex operating rules of the major regulation facility on the river. Due to the deterministic nature of the formulation, the model is used on a hydrologic scenario basis. Use of the model is demonstrated by application to the Svarta River.

Metropolitan Water Market Development: Seattle, Washington, 1887–1987

Abstract: In many metropolitan areas it is common for a large central city to sell water to many of its surrounding suburban communities. In the Seattle, Washington metropolitan region, the city (population 494,000) provides water to 34 suburban cities and water districts with a total population of roughly 596,000. The development of this water market has its origins in the geographic pattern of metropolitan population and institutional development, water law, the economies of scale of water production, and the economic scarcity of clean, inexpensive water sources. Management and long‐range planning for such a system are reviewed and the advantages and disadvantages of this market system for Seattle and its customers are discussed. The de facto regionalization of the metropolitan water supply is contrasted with the de jure regionalization of metropolitan Seattle's wastewater system, which is managed jointly by the region's governments.

Management and environmental constraints to rice yield within a village irrigation system — A case study from Sri Lanka

Abstract: Management and environmental constraints to rice yield in a paddy tract (lowland rice field) was studied within a village irrigation system in Sri Lanka. The relative importance of water coverage during the critical period and soil fertility variables on the yield variations were analysed. For the upper part of the paddy tract having adequate water supply, environmental and management factors seemed to explain the large variations in yield. For the middle and lower parts, with a shortage of water, water coverage was the only significant explanatory factor. For efficient use of a scarce water supply farmers allocated water first to the upper part, which resulted in water deficiency further down. An alternative strategy for water allocation, where the lower more fertile part of the paddy tract is favoured, would not avoid the risk of water scarcity for the individual farmer but there would be a potential for increase in the total production.

Planning and Financing Water Resource Development in the United States: A Review and Policy Perspective

Abstract: . Since the beginning of the 80s, there has been a discernible decline in federal spending for water resource development. The methods of financing project development at the state level exhibit diverse characteristics across different states. The state and sub-state level agencies and users will have to find and develop additional resources. This might also call for reduction in subsidies in water pricing which might give a greater role to market factors in conservation efforts. The present differentiated cost-sharing formula for different uses on the basis of the federal agency involved in the project development contributes to inefficient allocation of the resource. There is urgent need for financial and water management reform in order to avert a potential water crisis. Use, efficiency and equity considerations need to play a greater role in the distribution of the resource than in the past.

Conjunctive-Use Opportunities in Southern California

Abstract: Increasing demands for water in Southern California, coupled with limited imported surface water supplies, indicate a potential shortage of about 1 million acre-feet by the year 2010. In an effort to better utilize these imported water supplies with existing ground water reserves. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is actively developing ground water conjunctive-use programs in and around its 5,200-square-mile service area.

Major Water Resource Problems and Projects in China

Abstract: Some water resource problems and projects in China are outlined in this note. Major water resources problems identified here are 1) Flood damage mitigation: 2) water shortage in the north; and 3) rapid nationwide water quality deterioration. Two ambitious water resources projects, namely, the Three Gorge and South-North Water Transfer Projects, are presently being planned to alleviate the current water problems, and are briefly introduced in this note.

The problem of water shortage in Karai location of Kiambu district

Abstract: Water is one of the five basic needs necessary for human life; others being food, shelter, health and education. However water is unique in that it is a chemical from which all life depends and it cannot be substituted in its use. It is necessary for life sustaifiance. There is enough water in the world to sustain life but it is unevenly distributed so that some settlements are found very far from natural water sources while others maybe next to such sources but the water is unsuitable for consumption either because it is salty or because it is contaminated. To obtain clean potable water for everyone therefore calls for governments to invest heavily on piped water schemes that enable water to be equitably distributed amongst the people. Ideally all homesteads should be having piped clean water supplies but the heavy initial capital required for such an undertaking becomes a limitation. In Kenya only about 20 percent of the population lies in the urban areas where water supply is fairly adequate. The rest of the population is unevenly distributed in the rural areas usually on small farm plots. To supply each such homestead with water calls for the central Government and the people themselves to spend a very high portion of their income on funding water supply schemes. Water schmes in Kenya are funded either by the Government or by the beneficiaries on "harambee" basis but highly subsidised by the Government. In the low potential areas especially arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL), the Government has been fully involved in supplying the water to the people because the people's incomes are low and the inhabitants cannot be expected to contribute any signifi­ cant amounts of money towards the funding of such schemes. The Government of Kenya on recognising the importance of water has set itself the goal of ensuring that the whole population has access to potable water at convinient distances by year 2000 A.D. In areas where perennial sources are absent or unsuitable, piped water schemes whose sources are normally outside such areas or the ground-water extraction have been used to provide the water. Such has been the case in this study area where no naturally occuring surface water bodies are found and water supply is from a source outside the location (Bathi River Water Supply Scheme) and from several borehole schemes. Generally, a commodity is found to be scarce either because its physical or natural occurance is inadequate or because human factors come to play and cause even a commodity that is plentiful to be scarce. In the case for water natural factors that can cause scarcity include low rainfall, lack of natural water sources such as rivers and lakes or very low water tables where groundwater is used. Human factors

Collection of fog water in Chile for use in coastal villages : sixth IWRA world water congress on water resources, Ottawa, Canada, May 29 - June 3, 1988

Abstract: Senala que la adecuada combinacion de nubes estrato marinas y montanas costeras establece las condiciones topograficas y meteorologicas favorables para el aprovechamiento de recursos alternativos para el abastecimiento de agua a pequenas comunidades. Presenta el programa que se desarrolla en la costa norte de Chile para determinar el potencial hidrico de la "Camanchaca" (neblina a grandes alturas) y las condiciones meteorologicas necesarias para su formacion. Describe el equipo e instalaciones necesarias para la captacion del agua asi como el control meteorologico adecuado para el funcionamiento del programa