November 2022
Editorial »
Future of desalination in the context of water security
Asit K. Biswas and Cecilia Tortajada
Research Article
Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 associated with wastewater treatment: a seroprevalence study
B. Muñoz-Palazona, P. R. Bouzasb, J. González-Lópeza and M. Manzaneraa
aInstitute for Water Research and Department of Microbiology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain; bDepartment of Statistics, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
Contact: M. Manzanera | Email: manzanera@ugr.es
Abstract
The detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during wastewater treatment leads to concerns about whether this process may represent a focal point for the transmission of COVID-19. An epidemiological analysis, based on a COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test Cassette, performed on 134 wastewater workers from 59 wastewater treatment plants from the province of Granada (Spain) showed a seroprevalence of 8.95% in IgG for SARS-CoV-2, which is similar to the incidence rate found for the general population of the province (9.6%; 95%CI = 7.2–12.8). These findings suggest that current safety measures are sufficient for the protection of workers against SARS-CoV-2.
Pages: 928–937
https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2021.1910935
Research Article
Perceived vs measured water supply service: evidence from New Zealand
Anna Robak
Research & Innovation, WSP Canada, Fredericton, NB, Canada; University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada
Contact: Anna Robak | Email: anna.robak@wsp.com
Abstract
The aim of this research was to identify correlations between measured water supply performance attributes and consumer perceptions, to provide water suppliers with an improved understanding of the significance of consumers’ perceptions. Over 1900 New Zealand potable water consumers were surveyed and their perceptions were compared with measured aggregated attributes from their water supply system or region using logit and regression models. The analysis identified significant correlations between measured and perceived performance for all attributes. The exception is perceived protection from microorganisms, where other values such as fluoride preferences and Maori values are significant.
Pages: 938–963
https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2021.1940105
Research Article
Value of groundwater to public supply in west-central Florida
Philip E. Van Beynen
School of Geosciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
Contact: Philip E. Van Beynen | Email: vanbeyne@usf.edu
Abstract
This study provides a monetary value for groundwater by estimating the cost for the year 2020 to replace its use in public supply for 5 million people in west-central Florida, USA. The alternatives include building reservoirs and desalinization plants, water reuse, and conservation measures, with the most expensive being building more reservoirs at US$4.5 billion and least is conservation at US$840 million. This region’s regulators recognize the need to reduce the reliance on groundwater and have implemented programmes to promote the above alternatives. While water conservation is the most sustainable option, barriers related to policies and investment reduce the effectiveness of this approach.
Pages: 964–984
https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2021.1931051
Research Article
Comparative assessment of alternative water supply contributions across five data-scarce cities
Janez Sušnika, Osman Jussaha, Mohamed O. M. Orabia, Muhammed C. Abubakara, Richmond F. Quansaha, Wahid Yahayaa, Justin A. Adonadagaa, Carlos Cossab, Jose Ferratob, Castigo A. Cossac, Wahyono Hadid, Adhi Yuniartod, Bowo Djoko Marsonod, Alfan Purnomod, Franҫoise Bichaia,e and Chris Zevenbergenf
aLand and Water Management Department, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, Delft, the Netherlands; bAguas da Região de Maputo (AdeM), Maputo, Mozambique; cFundo de Investimento e Patrimonio do Abastecimento de Agua (FIPAG), Beira, Mozambique; dSchool of Environmental Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Surabaya, Indonesia; eDepartment of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering, Polytechnique Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada; fCoastal and Urban Risk and Resilience Department, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, Delft, the Netherlands
Contact: Janez Sušnik | Email: j.susnik@un-ihe.org
Abstract
Alternative water sources offer opportunities to contribute to the water supply to meet non-potable urban demand, closing water supply–demand gaps. Detailed assessments of these schemes are often data intensive, which can be a barrier in resource-scarce locations. A data-light approach is proposed and applied to assess the potential contribution of alternative water sources in five cities in the Global South, and to identify barriers preventing their widespread uptake. These barriers include perception, space, cost, home ownership and capacity constraints. This approach is applicable elsewhere, supporting assessment for city water planners/managers for preliminary planning to promote discussion on alternative sources to water security.
Pages: 985–1008
https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2021.1964449
Research Article
From ‘merchants and ministers’ to ‘neutral brokers’? Water diplomacy aspirations by the Netherlands – a discourse analysis of the 2011 commissioned advisory report
Farhad Mukhtarov, Des Gasper, Aditya Alta, Neha Gautam, Maria Sattwika Duhita and Diego Hernández Morales
International Institute of Social Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Contact: Farhad Mukhtarov | Email: mukhtarov@iss.nl
Abstract
Water diplomacy agents typically manage tensions between promoting peace and securing self-interest. This paper conducts a discourse analysis of a commissioned policy report by a leading Netherlands think-tank that helped inform Dutch policy on water diplomacy. We first establish the importance of the report. We then identify its focus on the theme of ‘neutral broker’ and apply vocabulary analysis, argumentation analysis and metaphor analysis, together leading up to frame analysis. From this report and the larger water diplomacy literature, we propose that water diplomacy must be viewed in connection with discursive politics and trade promotion. We illustrate relevant methods for future enquiry.
Pages: 1009–1031
https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2021.1929086 (Open Access)
Research Article
Reforming for resilience: delivering ‘multipurpose hydropower’ under water and energy risks
Paul R. Wyrwolla and R. Quentin Graftonb
aInstitute for Water Futures and Crawford School of Public Policy, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia; bCrawford School of Public Policy, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
Contact: Paul R. Wyrwoll | Email: paul.wyrwoll@anu.edu.au
Abstract
Multipurpose hydropower reservoirs are regularly framed as water security and climate change solutions. Although multipurpose projects can and do deliver a range of water services, ‘win-win’ outcomes are not guaranteed. Emerging water and energy risks are altering the net benefits from operating reservoirs to deliver hydropower generation, water supply, flood control, or other purposes. This paper shows that new hydropower governance approaches are needed to efficiently and fairly reallocate water under risks. We demonstrate that dynamic water reallocation is fundamental to the resilience of multipurpose reservoir systems and examine three potential reforms: periodic relicensing, water tariffs, and hydropower sustainability performance bonds.
Pages: 1032–1061
https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2021.1944844 (Open Access)
Research Article
Local empowerment and irrigation devolution in Ethiopia
Rahel Deribe Bekelea and Dawit Mekonnenb
aCenter for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany; bInternational Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Contact: Rahel Deribe Bekele | Email: rahelwderibe@gmail.com
Abstract
This paper investigates the effect of devolved irrigation water management systems and complementary irrigation technologies on collective empowerment in Ethiopia. We find that households’ monetary, in-kind and labour contributions for irrigation water provision and appropriation are more common in farmer-managed gravity irrigation schemes compared with farmer-managed pump systems and jointly managed schemes. The most frequent conflict occurrence was observed in jointly managed gravity irrigation systems, followed by farmer-managed gravity systems. Our results indicate that irrigation users’ degree of participation, decision-making capacity and strength of local governance are also affected by several household, plot, village, scheme and climatic factors.
Pages: 1062–1088
https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2021.1936465
Research Article
Hedging the risk of hydrological drought in irrigated agriculture: the role of precautionary savings
José A. Gómez-Limón, M. Dolores Guerrero-Baena and José A. Fernández-Gallardo
WEARE – Water, Environmental and Agricultural Resources Economics Research Group, Universidad de Córdoba, Spain
Contact: José A. Gómez-Limón | Email: jglimon@uco.es
Abstract
This paper explores the viability of precautionary savings as a hydrological drought risk management instrument in irrigated agriculture. To that end, first, the drought savings account (DSA) is proposed as a personal savings account to which farmers make regular contributions, with withdrawals allowed in the event of water supply gaps to guarantee a minimum income. Second, the implementation of the proposed instrument is empirically assessed in an illustrative case study using an innovative simulation approach. Results obtained suggest the DSA is actuarially sound, supporting its implementation as a cost-effective instrument to hedge hydrological drought risk.
Pages: 1089–1113
https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2021.1949699