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This paper investigates the challenges and adoption rates of water recycling systems as a sustainable water management strategy within residential properties in South Africa. Employing a quantitative approach, the research incorporates a comprehensive literature review and household surveys to discern the micro-social, technical, and socio-economic motivations and challenges influencing adoption rates and homeowners' willingness to embrace water recycling systems. Through structural equation modeling (SEM), a causal model is developed, illuminating the intricate nexus between influential constructs, their sub-constructs, and the degree of water recycling system adoption in South African residential contexts. The SEM results reveal significant relationships between property characteristics, motivations, and challenges, and their combined impact on adoption rates. The study identifies a lack of space, unclear savings on water payments, and insufficient information/awareness as primary micro-level obstacles to implementing water recycling systems in residential properties. Furthermore, it demonstrates that enhancing the efficiency of water recycling systems could substantially mitigate the negative impacts of these challenges. The study underscores the pivotal role of public awareness campaigns and homeowner education in augmenting the utilization of recycled water within residential settings. Recommendations emphasize the necessity of equipping homeowners with fundamental environmental and technical knowledge pertaining to water recycling and advocate for government incentives to encourage the adoption of water recycling systems in residential properties. These findings offer valuable insights for crafting data-driven decision-making frameworks aimed at bolstering the capacity for analyzing and implementing novel water reuse strategies, tailored to the specific capabilities and resources of urban authorities and communities. Article Highlights: Water recycling adoption in South Africa faces challenges like limited space, unclear savings, and lack of awareness. Public awareness and government incentives are crucial for boosting water recycling in residential areas. Efficient water recycling systems can help overcome barriers and support sustainable water management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research explores the strategic optimization of secondary chlorination in water distribution systems (WDSs), in order to enhance the efficiency of disinfection while mitigating odor and operational costs and promoting sustainability in water quality management. The methodology integrates EPANET simulations for water hydraulic and quality modeling with a deep belief network (DBN) within the deep learning framework for accurate chloric odor prediction. Utilizing the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II), this methodology systematically balances the objectives of chloride dosage and chloramine formation. It combines a chloric odor intensity assessment, a multi-component kinetic model, and dual-objective optimization to conduct a comparative analysis of case studies on secondary chlorination strategies. The optimal configuration with five secondary chlorination stations reduced chloric odor intensity to 1.20 at a cost of USD 40,020.77 per year in Network A while, with eight stations, chloric odor intensity was reduced to 0.88 at a cost of USD 71,405.38 per year in Network B. The results demonstrate a balanced trade-off between odor intensity and operational cost on one hand and sustainability on the other hand, highlighting the importance of precise chlorine management to improve both the sensory and safety qualities of drinking water while ensuring the sustainable use and management of water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work examines how graphene-based nanoparticles can be integrated into membranes to improve the effectiveness of water treatment in osmotic desalination processes. This is important since sustainable practices can help address the world's water scarcity. Water treatment, desalination, and resource recovery are areas where osmotic desalination shows great potential. However, membrane performance constraints frequently impede its efficacy. High mechanical strength, superior hydrophilicity, and the ability to lessen internal concentration polarisation are just a few of the remarkable qualities that make graphene-based nanoparticles stand out. In order to increase the membranes' overall functionality, these nanoparticles were created and added to them. Comparing the study to conventional membranes, the main goals were to increase water flux rates and salt ion rejection capacities. It was shown by experimental results that the membranes strengthened with graphene-based nanoparticles performed better. They outperformed conventional membranes in terms of water flow growth and salt ion rejection rates improvement. In order to advance osmotic desalination technologies towards more effective and sustainable water treatment options, this study highlights the revolutionary potential of graphene-based nanoparticles. Graphene-based nanoparticles provide an attractive option for tackling major water issues worldwide by improving membrane characteristics that are essential for osmotic desalination, such as permeability and selectivity. Water management techniques that are environmentally sustainable are supported by their integration into membranes, which also enhances performance metrics. This study opens the door for creative approaches to resource recovery and water treatment by providing important insights into the creation of cutting-edge materials specifically designed for osmotic desalination applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution and availability of water resources have been greatly impacted by global climate change and unsustainable human activities. This has resulted in increased pressure on surface water supplies, human consumption and socioeconomic growth. Although water management requires monitoring, a substantial amount of water consumption globally, including both groundwater and surface water, remains unmeasured. Madhya Pradesh (MP) has a very varied semi-arid geographical region in Central India. Recent studies have found that 36 out of 51 districts in the state of MP have been facing severe hydrological drought conditions. Despite the challenges in the MP region, there is little understanding of the permanent and seasonal changes in surface water and the overall availability of surface water resources in each district. Field-based monitoring of surface water bodies in large regions such as MP poses considerable difficulties. However, gaining knowledge about changes in the distribution of water on the Earth's surface across time and space can be enhanced by analysing data obtained via remote sensing. To understand the long-term changes in surface water in different districts of Madhya Pradesh, India, over the past 38 years, we analysed a publicly accessible global surface water dataset provided by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) European Commission. This dataset is based on Landsat imagery and covers the period from 1984 to 2021. This research study examines the associations between variations in the permanent surface water level and the extent of land being irrigated, the intensity of agricultural activities and the seasonal oscillations in surface water for several districts in Madhya Pradesh. The findings from this research will be beneficial for assessing several significant MP districts in terms of their water footprint and sustainable management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the relationship between groundwater quality and agricultural productivity across six experimental stations in Morocco: Doukkala, Bahira, Tassaout, Beni Amir, Beni Moussa and Tadla. To assess groundwater suitability for irrigation, a comprehensive suite of indices was employed, including the permeability index (PI), Kelly index (KI), sodium strength percentage (SSP), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonate (RSBC), magnesium hazard (MH), Langelier saturation index (LSI), Ryznar stability index (RSI), aggression index (AI), Larson and Skold index (LS), and Puckorious saturation index (PSI). Results indicated significant variations among the stations. Doukkala showed moderate permeability and low salinity risk but high sodium levels (SSP 50.14, SAR 6.87). Bahira had similar trends with slightly higher PI and KI values. Tassaout demonstrated lower values across all indices, suggesting better groundwater quality. Beni Amir and Beni Moussa exhibited decreasing trends in indices, with Beni Moussa having the lowest values overall. Notably, Beni Amir had the most negative RSBC value, indicating a high sodium hazard and potential soil structure issues, while Tadla had the least negative RSBC value, indicating favorable conditions. Water in Beni Amir and Beni Moussa, with MH values of 56.37 and 56.84 respectively, was deemed unsuitable for irrigation, whereas Doukkala, Bahira, Tassaout, and Tadla, with MH values below 50, were considered suitable. The study concludes that groundwater quality varies significantly across regions, impacting agricultural productivity, with some regions posing higher risks due to sodium and magnesium hazards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brazil, despite possessing the largest renewable freshwater reserves in the world (8.65 trillion m3 annually), faces growing challenges in water management due to increasing demand. Agriculture, responsible for 68.4% of water consumption, is one of the main drivers of this demand, especially in the São Francisco River Basin, where irrigation accounts for 81% of total water withdrawals. Water bodies play a crucial role in sustaining ecosystems and supporting life, particularly along the East-West axis of Alagoas, a water-rich region in the ENEB. This study aimed to map and quantify the spatiotemporal variations of water bodies in the ENEB region and assess the impacts of human activities using MODIS satellite data, applying hydrological indices such as NDWI, MNDWI, and AWEI. Between 2003 and 2022, significant variations in the extent of water bodies were observed, with reductions of up to 100 km2 during dry periods and expansions of up to 300 km2 during wet seasons compared to dry periods. AWEI and MNDWI proved to be the most effective indices for detecting water bodies with MODIS data, providing accurate insights into water dynamics. Additionally, the MapBiomas Rios dataset, despite being resampled from a 30 m to a 500 m resolution, offered the most accurate representation of water bodies due to its methodology for data acquisition. Changes in albedo and surface temperature were also detected, highlighting the influence of climate change on the region's water resources. These findings are crucial for guiding the sustainable management of water resources, not only in Alagoas but also in other regions of Brazil and similar semi-arid areas around the world. The study demonstrates the hydrological variability in the state of Alagoas, indicating the need for adaptive strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change and anthropogenic pressures, supporting the need for informed decision-making in water resource management at both local and national levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban stormwater drains in Kurunegala City collect runoff and untreated wastewater, leading to public health problems. The Greater Kurunegala Sewage Treatment Plant (GKSTP) was commissioned in 2018 and currently operates at 73% of its capacity to combat public health issues. This study assessed the water quality of canals, comparing it with standards and pre-GKSTP conditions. Water samples were collected from seven sites during dry and wet seasons, and physicochemical parameters were measured. The data underwent spatial and temporal analysis using the general linear model (GLM). Additionally, cluster analysis and distance-based redundancy analysis were employed. The water quality index (WQI) was employed to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment plant. The study revealed significant spatial and temporal variations in physicochemical parameters along the canals (p < 0.05, GLM), with higher pollution levels during wet months. The WQI improved from 35 (2005) to 49 at present, indicating enhanced water quality (p < 0.05, ANOVA), although it remains unsatisfactory. This study provides novel insights into the limitations of conventional wastewater treatment practices, demonstrating that merely treating wastewater and discharging it back into canals is insufficient. Research underscores the importance of rethinking treated wastewater reuse in achieving multiple sustainable development goals (SDGs). This approach offers a pragmatic path forward for enhancing water security and environmental sustainability globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundwater is a critical resource for sustaining agriculture, industry, and human life. However, overexploitation and contamination of groundwater resources have led to significant environmental and socio-economic challenges. To address these challenges, there is a need for effective groundwater management strategies that utilize advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and machine learning algorithms. The research proposes an IoT-enabled groundwater monitoring system that utilizes K-Nearest Neighbors (k-NN) and Support Vector Machines (SVM) algorithms for sustainable water management. The system comprises IoT sensors that monitor groundwater levels, quality, and flow rates in real time, and transmit the data to a centralized server for analysis. The k-NN algorithm is used for initial data clustering, while SVM is used for classification and prediction tasks related to groundwater data. The system is designed to identify anomalies, detect trends, and provide insights into the usage and availability of groundwater resources. The proposed system can help in promoting sustainable water use practices, reducing water wastage, and optimizing groundwater usage. The research findings can be useful for water managers, policymakers, and other stakeholders in the agriculture and industrial sectors who are concerned with sustainable groundwater management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable management of river systems is a serious concern, requiring vigilant monitoring of water contamination levels that could potentially threaten the ecological community. This study focused on the evaluation of water quality in the Jhelum River (JR), Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and northern Punjab, Pakistan. To achieve this, 60 water samples were collected from various points within the JR Basin (JRB) and subjected to a comprehensive analysis of their physicochemical parameters. The study findings indicated that the concentrations of physicochemical parameters in the JRB water remained within safety thresholds for both drinking and irrigation water, as established by the World Health Organization and Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency. These physicochemical parameters refer to various chemical and physical characteristics of the water that can have implications for both human health (drinking water) and agricultural practices (irrigation water). The spatial variations throughout the river course distinguished between the upstream, midstream, and downstream sections. Specifically, the downstream section exhibited significantly higher values for physicochemical parameters and a broader range, highlighting a substantial decline in its quality. Significant disparities in mean values and ranges were evident, particularly in the case of nitrates and total dissolved solids, when the downstream section was compared with its upstream and midstream counterparts. These variations indicated a deteriorating downstream water quality profile, which is likely attributable to a combination of geological and anthropogenic influences. Despite the observed deterioration in the downstream water quality, this study underscores that the JRB within the upper Indus Basin remains safe and suitable for domestic and agricultural purposes. The JRB was evaluated for various irrigation water quality indices. The principal component analysis conducted in this study revealed distinct covariance patterns among water quality variables, with the first five components explaining approximately 79% of the total variance. Recommending the continued utilization of the JRB for irrigation, we advocate for the preservation and enhancement of water quality in the downstream regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the application of green microbiology to promote sustainability in water management, agriculture, and energy production. Topics include microbial pollutant degradation in water, the use of microbes as biofertilizers and biostimulants in agriculture, and advancements in microbial fuel cells for energy generation.

Abstract This paper investigates the challenges and adoption rates of water recycling systems as a sustainable water management strategy within residential properties in South Africa. Employing a quantitative approach, the research incorporates a comprehensive literature review and household surveys to discern the micro-social, technical, and socio-economic motivations and challenges influencing adoption rates and homeowners' willingness to embrace water recycling systems. Through structural equation modeling (SEM), a causal model is developed, illuminating the intricate nexus between influential constructs, their sub-constructs, and the degree of water recycling system adoption in South African residential contexts. The SEM results reveal significant relationships between property characteristics, motivations, and challenges, and their combined impact on adoption rates. The study identifies a lack of space, unclear savings on water payments, and insufficient information/awareness as primary micro-level obstacles to implementing water recycling systems in residential properties. Furthermore, it demonstrates that enhancing the efficiency of water recycling systems could substantially mitigate the negative impacts of these challenges. The study underscores the pivotal role of public awareness campaigns and homeowner education in augmenting the utilization of recycled water within residential settings. Recommendations emphasize the necessity of equipping homeowners with fundamental environmental and technical knowledge pertaining to water recycling and advocate for government incentives to encourage the adoption of water recycling systems in residential properties. These findings offer valuable insights for crafting data-driven decision-making frameworks aimed at bolstering the capacity for analyzing and implementing novel water reuse strategies, tailored to the specific capabilities and resources of urban authorities and communities.

Abstract This work examines how graphene-based nanoparticles can be integrated into membranes to improve the effectiveness of water treatment in osmotic desalination processes. This is important since sustainable practices can help address the world's water scarcity. Water treatment, desalination, and resource recovery are areas where osmotic desalination shows great potential. However, membrane performance constraints frequently impede its efficacy. High mechanical strength, superior hydrophilicity, and the ability to lessen internal concentration polarisation are just a few of the remarkable qualities that make graphene-based nanoparticles stand out. In order to increase the membranes' overall functionality, these nanoparticles were created and added to them. Comparing the study to conventional membranes, the main goals were to increase water flux rates and salt ion rejection capacities. It was shown by experimental results that the membranes strengthened with graphene-based nanoparticles performed better. They outperformed conventional membranes in terms of water flow growth and salt ion rejection rates improvement. In order to advance osmotic desalination technologies towards more effective and sustainable water treatment options, this study highlights the revolutionary potential of graphene-based nanoparticles. Graphene-based nanoparticles provide an attractive option for tackling major water issues worldwide by improving membrane characteristics that are essential for osmotic desalination, such as permeability and selectivity. Water management techniques that are environmentally sustainable are supported by their integration into membranes, which also enhances performance metrics. This study opens the door for creative approaches to resource recovery and water treatment by providing important insights into the creation of cutting-edge materials specifically designed for osmotic desalination applications.

This study investigates the relationship between groundwater quality and agricultural productivity across six experimental stations in Morocco: Doukkala, Bahira, Tassaout, Beni Amir, Beni Moussa and Tadla. To assess groundwater suitability for irrigation, a comprehensive suite of indices was employed, including the permeability index (PI), Kelly index (KI), sodium strength percentage (SSP), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonate (RSBC), magnesium hazard (MH), Langelier saturation index (LSI), Ryznar stability index (RSI), aggression index (AI), Larson and Skold index (LS), and Puckorious saturation index (PSI). Results indicated significant variations among the stations. Doukkala showed moderate permeability and low salinity risk but high sodium levels (SSP 50.14, SAR 6.87). Bahira had similar trends with slightly higher PI and KI values. Tassaout demonstrated lower values across all indices, suggesting better groundwater quality. Beni Amir and Beni Moussa exhibited decreasing trends in indices, with Beni Moussa having the lowest values overall. Notably, Beni Amir had the most negative RSBC value, indicating a high sodium hazard and potential soil structure issues, while Tadla had the least negative RSBC value, indicating favorable conditions. Water in Beni Amir and Beni Moussa, with MH values of 56.37 and 56.84 respectively, was deemed unsuitable for irrigation, whereas Doukkala, Bahira, Tassaout, and Tadla, with MH values below 50, were considered suitable. The study concludes that groundwater quality varies significantly across regions, impacting agricultural productivity, with some regions posing higher risks due to sodium and magnesium hazards.

The Ganga basin is witnessing accelerated deterioration of agricultural fields, with severe soil erosion leading to nutrients leaching into the river, wreaking havoc on the river's ecosystems. Many Ganga River management plans have been implemented in the past, but a more coordinated and integrated effort that tries to implement basin management strategies with technology preparedness considered critical for the preservation of agricultural regions had been lacking. The Namami Gange Program (NGP) is a first of its kind integrated conservation mission pillared on sustainable water management policies and practices, launched in 2014. Unfortunately, scientific literature on its overall functioning and progress is almost non-existent. This review presents its overall functioning, critically analyses its associated components, and presents case studies, pilot studies, along with analytical critiques. An objective analytical evaluation of the NGP has been provided concluding with sectoral interventions. We have concluded that the ambitions for boosting energy production, irrigation, manufacturing, and expanding the river as an inland waterway interfere with the Ganga cleanup because they are both part of the growth strategy pushed by the administration. HIGHLIGHTS Implementational goals, community participation, and roles of other entities in the integrated river conservation program of Namami Gange.; Approach of sustainable management, circular water economy and public awareness.; Suggested a way forward for river rejuvenation through sectoral interventions around agricultural, sludge management, and biodiversity conservation, sustainable forestry, and livelihood generation interventions.;

This research examines the integration of geological and hydrogeological data in numerical aquifer model simulations, with a particular focus on the urban area of Torino, Italy. The role of groundwater resources in urban sustainability is analysed. The objective is to integrate open-loop geothermal plants into the district heating network of IREN S.p.A. Two case studies are examined: the Torino Nord area and the Moncalieri area, both of which host district heating plants. The work entails the collection and analysis of data from a variety of sources, including geognostic surveys and permeability tests, in order to construct a three-dimensional numerical model of the surface aquifer. Models were built using the public MODFLOW 6 (model of groundwater flow) code and calibrated using PESTHP (High Performance of Model Independent Parameter Estimation and Uncertainty Analysis). Results indicate the potential of urban aquifers as renewable energy sources and the necessity of comprehensive geological and hydrogeological assessments for optimal ground water heat pump (GWHP) system installation. This paper emphasises the significance of sustainable water management in the context of climate change and urbanisation challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Freshwater is a limited resource that is needed by all living things. However, the available amount of it cannot counterbalance the explosion of the human population in recent years. This condition is worsened because of the contamination of many bodies of water by industrialization and urbanization. Nanomaterials offer an alternative sustainable solution due to their unique size-dependent properties, i.e., high specific surface area and discontinuous properties. These advantages can be utilized to reuse wastewater to become a sustainable water source for drinking water. Many recent studies have proven that nanotechnologies in the forms of nano-adsorbents, nanomembranes, and nano-catalysts have high performances in water contaminants removal. This review provides a comprehensive discussion around these nanotechnologies from the mechanism, applications, efficacy, advantages, disadvantages, and challenges in applications for producing drinking water including by wastewater reusing. Each nanotechnology reviewed here has been proven to perform effectively for water contaminants removal in laboratory scale. An initial study is also performed in this review to analyze the sustainability of nanotechnology for producing drinking water. In spite of the great efficacy, nanotechnologies utilization in commercial scales is still limited which requires further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses the financial sustainability challenge of integrated watershed management (IWM) in regions with inadequate water service tariffs. A novel water service tariff model is proposed, incorporating supply costs, water loss reduction investments, and IWM expenses informed by user perceptions. The model is applied to an intermediate Andean city in southern Ecuador, where the current tariff impedes the financial viability of the water utility, reflecting a regional trend. The results indicate a necessary tariff increase exceeding 100% to cover the costs and support IWM. The economic value of watershed environmental services (WES) were estimated at USD 1,505,530.64 per year. This value translates to an average water consumption of 20 m3/user/month, equivalent to a WES of USD 2.60 per month. Despite the users' willingness to pay falling below the estimated economic value of WES, there is a clear need for implementing incentive programs to promote water conservation and policy adjustments that favor the financial sustainability of water supply companies in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need to find a trade-off between protecting water-related ecosystems and increasing safe water-use for human society is recognized in the 2030 Agenda of the European Union. We assess the ecological status of a riverine system in order to mitigate human impacts, considering its importance for supplying drinking water to more than 4 million users in Rome. We used an integrated approach, analyzing animal and plant communities at riverbanks and the riverbed. A macrobenthos analysis revealed a well-structured community with a good ecology for all sampling stations. The highest value was found immediately upstream and downstream of the springs collection system, while the lowest richness value was where the river collects urban wastewater. A floristic inventory showed Hemicryptophytes composing almost 45% of all species, and prevalence of Euroasiatic (35%) and Orophilous (34%) chorotypes. A positive correlation between riverbed vegetation and the quality of the benthic community was revealed, while tree height seems to have a negative trend. Our data suggest a river stretch affected by resurgence and water abstraction did not highlight irreversible alterations to the landscape. Indeed, the composition of vegetation and correlated animal communities mirrored a clinal gradient expected for an Apennine river system. Our study has the potential to improve the approach used to monitor the impacts of humans on freshwater ecosystems, aiming at preserving the integrity of the water-related landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global food security (GFS) is challenged by increasing food demand due to population growth and climate change. International trade and globalization have underpinned GFS until the most recent public health, geopolitical and economic crises, when virtually overnight, the focus of governments has shifted towards domestically and locally produced foods. However, the agrifood sector has limited flexibility, and relatively long periods are needed for fundamental/sustainable changes. One of the crucial factors enabling GFS is the efficient water management, but the required knowledge and capabilities are often lacking regionally/locally. We propose the Centers for Optimizing Water Management in Agroecosystems as a long-term solution. The Centers would be the specialized hubs for promotion of research, innovation and technology transfer, raising the knowledge of stakeholders (farmers, extension and government officials, scholars, students, policymakers and other professionals) and their capacities in water management. These Centers would operate as research/education/technology demonstration entities tailored to the specifics of a particular country/region, aiming to address the most important and pertinent goals and outcomes with a high-spatial-resolution outreach. Finally, the Centers will improve farmers’ livelihoods, contribute to sustainable and efficient use of agro-environmental resources, and increase productivity and food quality, ultimately supporting GFS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Saudi Arabia, water pollution and drinking water scarcity pose a major challenge and jeopardise the achievement of sustainable development goals. The urgent need for rapid and accurate monitoring and assessment of water quality requires sophisticated, data-driven solutions for better decision-making in water management. This study aims to develop optimised data-driven models for comprehensive water quality assessment to enable informed decisions that are critical for sustainable water resources management. We used an entropy-weighted arithmetic technique to calculate the Water Quality Index (WQI), which integrates the World Health Organization (WHO) standards for various water quality parameters. Our methodology incorporated advanced machine learning (ML) models, including decision trees, random forests (RF) and correlation analyses to select features essential for identifying critical water quality parameters. We developed and optimised data-driven models such as gradient boosting machines (GBM), deep neural networks (DNN) and RF within the H2O API framework to ensure efficient data processing and handling. Interpretation of these models was achieved through a three-pronged explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) approach: model diagnosis with residual analysis, model parts with permutation-based feature importance and model profiling with partial dependence plots (PDP), accumulated local effects (ALE) plots and individual conditional expectation (ICE) plots. The quantitative results revealed insightful findings: fluoride and residual chlorine had the highest and lowest entropy weights, respectively, indicating their differential effects on water quality. Over 35% of the water samples were categorised as 'unsuitable' for consumption, highlighting the urgency of taking action to improve water quality. Amongst the optimised models, the Random Forest (model 79) and the Deep Neural Network (model 81) proved to be the most effective and showed robust predictive abilities with R2 values of 0.96 and 0.97 respectively for testing dataset. Model profiling as XAI highlighted the significant influence of key parameters such as nitrate, total hardness and pH on WQI predictions. These findings enable targeted water quality improvement measures that are in line with sustainable water management goals. Therefore, our study demonstrates the potential of advanced, data-driven methods to revolutionise water quality assessment in Saudi Arabia. By providing a more nuanced understanding of water quality dynamics and enabling effective decision-making, these models contribute significantly to the sustainable management of valuable water resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundwater quality is influenced by urbanization and land use land cover (LULC) changes. This study investigated their impact on groundwater quality in Quetta City, Pakistan, from 2015 to 2021. About 58 groundwater samples from monitoring wells were analyzed using hydrogeochemical and statistical methods. The water quality index (WQI), Wilcox, USSL, and various agricultural indices were employed to assess water quality trends. LULC analysis and NDVI using Sentinel-2 imagery revealed increased urban and agricultural areas and decreased barren land. Rapid urbanization was evident, with the buildup class expanding by 7.50% during this period. NDVI findings emphasized monitoring vegetation health and water quality for environmental assessments. The groundwater in Quetta was primarily classified as Cl–Ca·Mg, Cl–Ca, and Cl–Na according to the Piper diagram, with water-rock interactions and rock weathering evident. Most groundwater samples were suitable for irrigation according to the Wilcox and USSL diagrams. The WQI demonstrated overall safety for human consumption, but declining WQI values in northern parts due to urbanization are concerning. The results also revealed a moderate positive relationship between landcover classes and WQI values. It can be concluded that urbanization and excessive use of pesticides contributed to declining agricultural land quality. The spatial overlay of agricultural indices with landcover class suggested that barren land was most suitable, followed by build-up and agriculture were suitable for drinking and agriculture purposes. Moreover, agricultural indices moderately declined due to excessive fertilizers and pesticides in the agriculture landcover class. Thus, effective water resource management is crucial to address challenges. This comprehensive study serves as a baseline for future research and recommends larger-scale studies to implement efficient management strategies, urbanization planning, and safe irrigation and drinking water practices to prevent groundwater pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water scarcity presents significant challenges to sustainable development, particularly in arid regions like Fayoum City, Egypt, which faces particular water challenges due to its unique topography. This study explores the pivotal role of pump stations and wastewater reuse in mitigating water scarcity and promoting sustainable water management practices. Utilizing a comprehensive mixed-method approach, including desk research, field surveys, stakeholder interviews, and integrating the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) into a decisionmaking framework. The study categorizes pump stations into priority ranking groups based on the evaluation of the following criteria: efficiency, operating hours, working unit ratio, and discharge capacity. The investigation reveals that the 72 pump stations in Fayoum City play a vital role in regulating water levels, optimizing distribution, and facilitating the reuse of irrigation wastewater. Despite operational challenges, such as manpower shortages and maintenance issues, these stations are crucial for sustaining agricultural productivity and addressing water scarcity concerns, including the prevention of recurring inundation events like the one in 2012. Moreover, the study underscores the potential of wastewater reuse as a sustainable solution to water scarcity, particularly in meeting agricultural water demands and mitigating water balance issues, such as inundation. Based on the findings, the study proposes actionable recommendations, including upgrading high-priority pump stations, evaluating lower-priority ones, enhancing canal infrastructure, and promoting waterefficient irrigation methods. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the pivotal role of pump stations and wastewater reuse in addressing water scarcity challenges in arid regions. By implementing the proposed recommendations, Fayoum City can optimize its water management practices, ensure water security, and support the long-term development of the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to identify critical points by calculating the water footprint (WF) of a mine and assessing the environmental impact of this water usage. Utilising the Water Footprint Assessment (WFA) methodology for critical points and the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology for environmental impact, results reveal that, among the identified hotspots, the highest blue water footprint is associated with the lost return flow, measuring 260.61 m3/kg Au. Regarding the grey water footprint, arsenic exhibits the highest value, measuring 1.777 m3/kg Au. Among the five impact categories, climate change human health emerges as the most environmentally affected category. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In rural planning, ensuring sustainable water management is pivotal, particularly in addressing the challenges posed by the absence of comprehensive rural water security assessments. Despite the abundance of water resources in mountainous regions, their accessibility and utilization remain significant hurdles for local populations, often hindering sustainable development. This study proposed a rural water accessibility (RWA) model, focusing on village settlements (VSs) as fundamental units for water utilization. The model examines two critical aspects of mountainous water security that are essential for sustainability: the supply–demand relation between VSs and their water sources, and the water availability to characterize difficulties in obtaining water sources in complex terrain. Using data from 1156 natural VSs in Dongchuan District, Kunming, water demand was calculated based on population and local average rural water demand per person. Springs and streams were identified as main and standby water sources, respectively. The RWA model evaluates the supply–demand balance and assesses water availability using the least-cost path (LCP) method. The results establish RWA grades, indicating water security conditions for VSs. This approach effectively identifies supply–demand relations and determines water demand gaps, facilitating targeted water management in rural areas, especially during droughts. It enables managers to accurately gauge the grade of water accessibility for each VS, allowing for prompt and tailored emergency water supply interventions. Furthermore, aggregating the RWA of each VS can provide valuable insights for devising sustainable water management strategies in mountainous regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Water Framework Directive (WFD) is one of the most analyzed environmental legislations in the scientific literature, influencing the water management in some non-European countries. The WFD has the strong ambition of achieving a good ecological status of water bodies across all river basins in Europe. However, the advances towards sustainable management are falling far behind the planned schedule. The emphasis of the Directive is focused on water quality rather than on water quantity. The advances during the last quarter of the century since its inception have been strong on urban and industrial point pollution, but not on agricultural non-point pollution that remains high and even increases in major basins. Water quantity aspects have been mostly left aside in the Directive, despite the fact that water scarcity is a serious problem in Southern European countries, and will become more critical with climate change in most basins across Europe. Some policy measures of the WFD need to be reformed, in particular measures for abating agricultural pollution, and new measures for addressing water scarcity. The narrow focus of the WFD on water pricing to solve at the same time issues of financing, water allocation and efficiency, environment, opportunity costs and pollution abatement, should be broadened. The challenge is giving more emphasis to command & control and collective action instruments, and designing combinations of instruments adapted to sectoral and spatial locations in basins. This overhaul of the water policy instruments by the European Commission will be needed to advance in the sustainable management of river basins in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable water resource management is a core interest for all societies. As water systems are often common resources, the management of water systems requires coordinated action among actors along the water. For flowing water, a complication for coordination is upstream–downstream relations where what happens upstream affects downstream, but not the other way around. In this study we present results from a survey experiment with politicians in Sweden, focusing on whether and to what extent their willingness to cooperate is affected by their placement upstream or downstream along a fictive water system. Our findings indicate that politicians from upstream and downstream municipalities share the view that upstream politicians bear greater responsibility for undertaking preventive actions and are willing to assume remedial responsibility for problems caused by them. These results challenge the notion that self-interest is the primary obstacle to resolving environmental collective action problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus is a subtropical fruit tree with high water requirements. This study aimed to determine the effects of water deficit on an orange orchard subjected to different water-saving strategies. The study was realised in an orange orchard in a semiarid area by adopting four different water management techniques: 100% crop evapotranspiration (control); SSDI—subsurface sustained deficit irrigation; RDI—regulated deficit irrigation; PRD—partial rootzone drying treatment during five growing seasons. The experimental design foresaw a randomised block design with six replicates per treatment (24 index plants). The results of the study showed that the water-saving strategies reduced irrigation water consumption by 25% (SSDI), 33% (RDI), and 49% (PRD) compared to the fully irrigated treatment without yield reduction, thus increasing water use efficiency. Mineral nutrition of the trees was slightly affected by irrigation treatments; element concentration in leaves was generally in the optimal range; only potassium showed values below the recommended leaf concentrations. Regarding fruit quality parameters, the vitamin C concentration in RDI showed significant differences with a value of 62.7 mg 100 mL−1 compared to 58.5 mg 100 mL−1 in the control. Plants subjected to SSDI and PRD strategies showed increased levels of pulp colour index with significant values of 10 and 9.90, respectively, compared to the control (8.44). By implementing targeted water management, citrus growers could save water and increase the ascorbic acid and sugar concentration in the fruits; anthocyanins also increased but not significantly. These findings open new market opportunities for citrus growers in marginal areas, where they cannot rely solely on producing citrus fruits to remain competitive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sustainable water management for table grape has the primary goal of optimizing irrigation through Smart Irrigation (SI) approaches, particularly in Mediterranean regions. In addition, extending the shelf life of table grapes through effective cold storage practices is crucial to meet consumer demands year-round. This research examined the journey "from farm to fork" of Sugrathirtyfive variety (Autumn Crisp® brand), exploring the combined effects of Irrigation Volumes (IV), SO2-Generating Pads (SGPs) and Cold Storage Duration (CSD) on the quality of grapes. Methods: Normal Irrigation (NI—based on the farmer's experience) and SI (100% vine evapotranspiration restored) were supplied in 2023 to Sugrathirtyfive variety white table grape, trained to an overhead tendone system. Yield and quality parameters, berry texture, CIELAB colour coordinates, phenolic content, flavonoids, antioxidant activity and sensory attributes were evaluated on grapes subjected to different times and methods of cold storage. Results: SI grapes showed higher Total Soluble Solids (TSSs) and nutraceutical content, as well as improved CIELAB coordinates with interesting improved berry texture parameters. No differences emerged between single- or dual-release SGPs after 15 days (T1) and 40 days (T2) of CSD. Conclusions: Under our cold storage conditions (3 °C, 85% U.R.), 40 days represent the maximum temporal limit for the cold storage of Sugrathirtyfive variety, regardless of IV, provided they are refrigerated with the aid of SGPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: The article addresses the state of the art of IWRM in Brazil.The advances and gaps of IWRM in Brazil are highlighted.The author revisits the criticism of IWRM in light of its breadth and perspectives.The text questions the very viability of IWRM in Brazil based on a practical case.The author presents topics to consider for effective integration in water management in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Region: China. Study Focus: Water resources are one of the indispensable and irreplaceable natural resources in the operation of social and economic sustainable development. When economic measures are used to manage water resources, the market mechanism can be used to fully optimize resource allocation and boost water use efficiency (WUE). While existing research have begun to explore the impact of water rights trading (WRT) on WUE, most remain theoretical, with empirical studies often neglecting time differences in WRT implementation across provinces, leading to unresolved endogeneity issues. To accurately assess the policy effects of WRT, our research constructs a multi-period DID mode that addresses these limitations. New Hydrological Insights for the Regions: This study reveals that WRT significantly improves WUE, with water use per unit of output decreasing by 574.724 units in agriculture, 366.136 units in industry, and 210.770 units overall, demonstrating robustness. The policy effects of WRT require time to materialize, showing both dynamic and spatial sustainability. Technological innovation (TEIN) and water factor mobility (FM) serve as intermediary variables through which WRT optimizes WUE, with TEIN exhibiting a masking effect on WUE improvement. These insights can contribute to improved water resource management globally by guiding the development of tailored water rights policies and strategies that incorporate market mechanisms, foster technological innovation, and improve overall WUE.

Urban stormwater drains in Kurunegala City collect runoff and untreated wastewater, leading to public health problems. The Greater Kurunegala Sewage Treatment Plant (GKSTP) was commissioned in 2018 and currently operates at 73% of its capacity to combat public health issues. This study assessed the water quality of canals, comparing it with standards and pre-GKSTP conditions. Water samples were collected from seven sites during dry and wet seasons, and physicochemical parameters were measured. The data underwent spatial and temporal analysis using the general linear model (GLM). Additionally, cluster analysis and distance-based redundancy analysis were employed. The water quality index (WQI) was employed to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment plant. The study revealed significant spatial and temporal variations in physicochemical parameters along the canals (p < 0.05, GLM), with higher pollution levels during wet months. The WQI improved from 35 (2005) to 49 at present, indicating enhanced water quality (p < 0.05, ANOVA), although it remains unsatisfactory. This study provides novel insights into the limitations of conventional wastewater treatment practices, demonstrating that merely treating wastewater and discharging it back into canals is insufficient. Research underscores the importance of rethinking treated wastewater reuse in achieving multiple sustainable development goals (SDGs). This approach offers a pragmatic path forward for enhancing water security and environmental sustainability globally.

This survey comprehensively examines the public irrigation decision support systems (IDSS) in Italy, offering a detailed description, analysis and evaluation of their features. The study investigates the agrometeorological networks and infrastructures that support Italian IDSS, providing a clearer understanding of the national context. The evaluation criteria include relevant factors such as soil moisture monitoring, crop water requirements (CWR) estimation models, biophysical parameters along with their spatial and temporal resolutions, irrigation planning and decision support visualization. Additionally, the assessment covers accessibility, scalability and interoperability of these systems. The survey also highlights the strengths and weaknesses of various IDSS, such as IRRIFRAME, IRRISIAS and IRTO, discussing their operational methodologies, data integration and regional coverage. The aim is to provide insights that facilitate advancements in sustainable irrigation management practices and address key challenges for future developments at both regional and national levels. This comprehensive evaluation seeks to enhance the effectiveness of IDSS in promoting sustainable water management in agriculture across Italy.

Hydrometallurgical processes utilize aqueous solutions to extract metals from ores, concentrates, or waste, resulting in a substantial consumption of freshwater and wastewater generation. This study investigates the treatment of wastewater produced during the hydrometallurgical silver extraction from in-mold structural electronics (IMSEs), aiming at minimizing discharge and ensuring water reuse. IMSE is an emerging technology that offers a lighter, cost-effective alternative to traditional PCBs. The generated wastewater contains high levels of COD (14.48 g/L) and iron (8.69 g/L). It was treated using a Fenton process by adopting a 22-full factorial design with center points to identify the best operative conditions. Following the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and model determination for COD abatement, Fisher's test was conducted to evaluate whether incorporating curvature into the model would enhance its fit to the experimental data. To further refine the process optimization, star points were added, resulting in a central composite design (CCD). The treatment resulted in a 93.6 % reduction in COD and a 99.9 % reduction in iron, with lime addition aiding in iron precipitation for water reuse. A quadratic model for COD removal indicated a high fit (R2 = 0.96), demonstrating the process's efficiency in reducing pollutants and promoting water reuse. Preliminary cost analysis revealed a total expenditure of 81.60 €/m³, significantly lower than the typical disposal costs of hydrometallurgical wastewater.

Karst aquifers are crucial for providing fresh water worldwide but are also incredibly sensitive to human impact and climate change. This study aims to reconstruct the historical water levels of karst springs, despite the lack of data. By combining collected data, we have created a detailed numerical model to understand the complex behavior of karst aquifers. Our research reveals significant drops in the water levels at Longtan Spring, mainly due to the overuse of groundwater and inadequate water recharge, which is critical for the success of the Springs Resurgence project. We have also mapped out historical groundwater levels and identified the necessary conditions to get the spring flowing again. The model proved to be reliable during its calibration from 2000 to 2007, with an average Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient of 0.52 for the monitoring wells. For the period from 1960 to 2019, our model showed a strong correlation coefficient of over 0.97 when compared with data from the GRACE satellite mission, demonstrating its high accuracy. The approach we have taken in this study provides a feasible way to figure out historical water levels in karst springs, which is vital for protecting these essential fresh water sources. This work will provide a strong basis for policies to restore the spring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to urbanization and population growth, freshwater resources have become a long-term concern for most developing countries. With the growth of population, the demand for fresh water is increasing and the requirement for sewage treatment is also increasing. In recent years, the demand for sewage recycling has increased sharply. Constructed wetlands (CWs) are an effective sewage treatment system with low energy consumption, minimal maintenance requirements, and a low operation cost, which will meet the current demand for the removal of nutrients and pathogens. The application of CWs in sewage treatment has attracted more and more attention because it is also a nature-based solution (NbS). These systems are capable of removing not only nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), but also pathogen indicators, such as fecal coliform and Escherichia coli. The presence of these indicators also suggests the influx of other pathogens into aquatic systems, thereby threatening aquatic ecological health. However, research on the removal of pathogens in CWs is relatively scare and their removal mechanisms are not fully understood. Despite their widespread application, the role of plants in CWs, particularly in the specific mechanism of pathogens and nitrogen removal, remains largely unknown. This article will help us to better understand this technology and provide help for our further research. In this paper, the coupled denitrification mechanism between microorganisms and plants in the process of nitrogen transformation was discussed. Plants affect nitrogen transformation microorganisms by releasing oxygen and secretions from their roots and provide substrates for bioremediation. The removal effects of different types of CWs on pathogen and nitrogen species were also summarized. Overall, the removal effect of subsurface flow wetlands outperforms that of surface flow wetlands, with multi-stage wetland systems being the most effective. The main factors affecting the removal of pathogens and nitrogen species in CWs include plants, substrates, operating parameters, UV radiation, temperature, water composition, and pH. Finally, the research frontiers on the removal of pathogens in CWs were prospected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Irrigation & Drainage is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In recent years, circular economy strategies have gained attention in agriculture, particularly regarding the utilization of wastewater as an alternative water source. This study employs a rapid review methodology to examine farmers' attitudes toward wastewater use in agriculture. By analyzing studies in literature published from 2000 to 2023, this review identifies the key factors influencing farmers' adoption of wastewater irrigation. These findings are valuable for policymakers seeking to develop targeted policies that support and encourage the adoption of wastewater irrigation, thereby contributing to sustainable water resource management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, it was aimed to calculate the carbon footprint of the drinking water treatment facility within Samsun Ondokuz Mayıs University and to determine the greenhouse gas emission sources within the facility. The total daily CO2 emission of the drinking water treatment plant is calculated as 85.05 kg CO2e/d. The analyses show that off-site CO2 emissions are higher than on-site CO2 emission values. It has been determined that the primary source of off-site emissions arises from the electrical energy consumption used in the units, constituting approximately 86.4% of the total CO2 emissions. The second important contribution parameter arises from the reaction of coagulants in mechanical mixing processes. This study emphasizes the importance of taking measures that support greener and sustainable production to reduce the current greenhouse gas emissions of the facility. In addition, calculating the carbon emissions of the drinking water treatment plant is important in informing the relevant institutions in the European Union's efforts to achieve the goal of zeroing carbon emissions by 2050. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of SDU Journal of Engineering Sciences & Design / Mühendislik Bilimleri ve Tasarım Dergisi is the property of Journal of Engineering Sciences & Design and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The sustainable use of groundwater resources is highly important for regional groundwater system safety and food security, especially in large-scale agricultural planting areas. In the Sanjiang Plain (SJP) in Northeast China, irrigation water consumption has increased sharply due to the large-area ''conversion of dry land (mainly maize and soybean fields) into rice fields'', threatening the regional groundwater system security. However, little is known about the impact of large-scale agricultural planting structure adjustment (i.e., changes in cropping systems) on regional groundwater sustainability. This study estimated the groundwater storage anomaly (ΔGWS) using the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite data and the Global Land Data Assimilation System data. Additionally, the groundwater sustainability index (SI) of this region was evaluated based on GRACE Groundwater Drought Index (GGDI). Collectively, the influence of agricultural planting restructuring on the SJP groundwater sustainability was analyzed. The findings were: (1) The groundwater reserves in SJP and Xingkai Lake Plain decreased with maximum declines of 6.79 and 10.37 cm/year, respectively. (2) The groundwater sustainability deteriorated rapidly after 2009, from extremely high to extremely low levels. The lowest sustainability was observed in the Jiansanjiang area, which underwent the most drastic adjustment of agricultural planting structure. (3) Although precipitation increase can alleviate groundwater overexploitation, the groundwater sustainability continued to deteriorate due to the sharp increase in irrigation water consumption arising from the large-scale land conversion. Curbing the expansion of paddy rice fields or reducing their planting areas can restrain the demand for irrigation water. Moreover, proactively designing diversion projects to increase available surface water supply can also effectively achieve sustainable agricultural development in this region.

Global food security (GFS) is challenged by increasing food demand due to population growth and climate change. International trade and globalization have underpinned GFS until the most recent public health, geopolitical and economic crises, when virtually overnight, the focus of governments has shifted towards domestically and locally produced foods. However, the agri-food sector has limited flexibility, and relatively long periods are needed for fundamental/sustainable changes. One of the crucial factors enabling GFS is the efficient water management, but the required knowledge and capabilities are often lacking regionally/locally. We propose the Centers for Optimizing Water Management in Agroecosystems as a long-term solution. The Centers would be the specialized hubs for promotion of research, innovation and technology transfer, raising the knowledge of stakeholders (farmers, extension and government officials, scholars, students, policymakers and other professionals) and their capacities in water management. These Centers would operate as research/education/technology demonstration entities tailored to the specifics of a particular country/region, aiming to address the most important and pertinent goals and outcomes with a high-spatial-resolution outreach. Finally, the Centers will improve farmers’ livelihoods, contribute to sustainable and efficient use of agro-environmental resources, and increase productivity and food quality, ultimately supporting GFS.

The Salento aquifer located in the Salento Peninsula in Southern Italy plays a vital role in supporting various sectors like agriculture, economy, and tourism. However, the aquifer has faced escalating challenges from rising water abstraction, falling piezometric levels, and saltwater intrusion for decades. This comprehensive review identifies the varied drivers of increased water abstraction like intensified agricultural activities and expanding tourism, through well data analysis, geological and hydrogeological studies, alongside evaluations of land use patterns, water consumption trends, and meteorological records. The study compares the findings of previous research, which have consistently shown a downward trend in the piezometric levels of the aquifer over several decades, confirming that this decline persists to the present day. The analysis of new and historical well data is combined with existing studies to explore the complex interactions between climate change and human impacts on the aquifer, providing general recommendations for sustainable aquifer management.

Water scarcity presents significant challenges to sustainable development, particularly in arid regions like Fayoum City, Egypt, which faces particular water challenges due to its unique topography. This study explores the pivotal role of pump stations and wastewater reuse in mitigating water scarcity and promoting sustainable water management practices. Utilizing a comprehensive mixed-method approach, including desk research, field surveys, stakeholder interviews, and integrating the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) into a decision-making framework. The study categorizes pump stations into priority ranking groups based on the evaluation of the following criteria: efficiency, operating hours, working unit ratio, and discharge capacity. The investigation reveals that the 72 pump stations in Fayoum City play a vital role in regulating water levels, optimizing distribution, and facilitating the reuse of irrigation wastewater. Despite operational challenges, such as manpower shortages and maintenance issues, these stations are crucial for sustaining agricultural productivity and addressing water scarcity concerns, including the prevention of recurring inundation events like the one in 2012. Moreover, the study underscores the potential of wastewater reuse as a sustainable solution to water scarcity, particularly in meeting agricultural water demands and mitigating water balance issues, such as inundation. Based on the findings, the study proposes actionable recommendations, including upgrading high-priority pump stations, evaluating lower-priority ones, enhancing canal infrastructure, and promoting water-efficient irrigation methods. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the pivotal role of pump stations and wastewater reuse in addressing water scarcity challenges in arid regions. By implementing the proposed recommendations, Fayoum City can optimize its water management practices, ensure water security, and support the long-term development of the region.

This paper presents the analysis of water supply behavior within an educational campus, serving as a use-case to demonstrate the broader applicability of an innovative IoT-based framework integrated with deep learning techniques. By retrofitting analog water meters with IoT devices, the study captures images of meter dials, which are then locally processed using a deep learning-based digit detection algorithm. This process converts the images into digits and transmits the data to the cloud for real-time analysis, thereby enhancing the accuracy and reliability of water usage data. Focusing on two key regions within the campus—student hostels and faculty/staff quarters—the analysis thoroughly examines the impact of water supply patterns on both a monthly and weekly basis. It reveals how the distinct characteristics of each month, such as holidays, exams, and class schedules, significantly influence water consumption in these areas. The study particularly highlights the variations in water usage in student hostels, driven by the academic calendar and student lifestyle, in contrast to the more stable water demand observed in faculty/staff quarters. The integration of the data refinement algorithm uncovers the underlying consumption patterns within these campus residence. The findings from this detailed investigation are instrumental in understanding the water distribution patterns, particularly within Integrated Water Systems (IWS), and set a precedent for the potential scalability and adaptability of the framework. This study not only sheds light on the specific water management needs of an educational campus but also suggests that the successful application of this system in such a dynamic and varied setting indicates its potential for broader application, thereby contributing to more informed decision-making and promoting sustainable water management practices in various contexts.

Although the potential of traditional domestic rainwater harvesting systems (RWHSs) is easily determined, objective knowledge is required to determine their sustainability or scientific validity. We aimed to broadly review recent trends and emerging opportunities for research on the potential of RWHSs in the global context. We reviewed three types of representative RWHSs: water cellars, stepwells, and qanats. In total, 16 potential categories were defined. First, to date, 50% of the categories of potential have been demonstrated but are not considered beneficial, have been proven only in limited locations, only in limited sampling sets, or are theoretical. Second, whether the involvement of other disciplines has resulted in an expansion of the research scope or whether a particular potential has not been comprehensively explained remains to be determined by researchers. Third, potential that has emerged in the 21st century is not beyond our imagination such as tourism potential and ecological potential. Therefore, researchers should actively explore and incorporate new innovative technologies with RWHSs to explore new potential. The findings of this study offer a viable research framework for investigating the evolution of the discipline and contribute to the development of critical thinking in the analysis of the potential of RWHSs.

This research explores the strategic optimization of secondary chlorination in water distribution systems (WDSs), in order to enhance the efficiency of disinfection while mitigating odor and operational costs and promoting sustainability in water quality management. The methodology integrates EPANET simulations for water hydraulic and quality modeling with a deep belief network (DBN) within the deep learning framework for accurate chloric odor prediction. Utilizing the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II), this methodology systematically balances the objectives of chloride dosage and chloramine formation. It combines a chloric odor intensity assessment, a multi-component kinetic model, and dual-objective optimization to conduct a comparative analysis of case studies on secondary chlorination strategies. The optimal configuration with five secondary chlorination stations reduced chloric odor intensity to 1.20 at a cost of USD 40,020.77 per year in Network A while, with eight stations, chloric odor intensity was reduced to 0.88 at a cost of USD 71,405.38 per year in Network B. The results demonstrate a balanced trade-off between odor intensity and operational cost on one hand and sustainability on the other hand, highlighting the importance of precise chlorine management to improve both the sensory and safety qualities of drinking water while ensuring the sustainable use and management of water resources.