Environmentally Sound Water Resources Management in Catchment Level using DPSIR Model and Scenario Analysis

Abstract

Maharlou-Bakhtegan Catchment in the southern part of Iran is faced with water scarcity.<br />This problem is exacerbated by environmental degradation, climate change effects, mismanagement<br />of water resources, along with a major dependence of water demand supplies on the limited<br />groundwater resources. In this study, a combined approach of DPSIR model along with the scenario<br />analysis was employed to derive the optimal management strategies for the environmentally sound<br />water resources management of Maharlou-Bakhtegan Catchment considering the conjunctive use<br />of surface and groundwater resources. Cause-effect relationships were identified by DPSIR framework<br />and 15 scenarios were developed based on them. For evaluating each scenario, 9 integrated water<br />resources management indicators were introduced and evaluated by MODSIM.The results<br />demonstrated that in scenario Scen-14, restriction for the irrigation area development, as well as<br />other management solutions, which led to 100% supply of domestic and industrial water demands<br />and 91% supply of agricultural water demands. Also in the last scenario the value 1.79 kg/ m3 was<br />received by the Agricultural water productivity indicators. Moreover, by satisfying all IWRM<br />indicators as well as enhancing zero for negative water balance of the aquifers in Scen-14, it is clearly<br />indicated that this scenario revealed more efficient management solutions for the environmentally<br />sound water resources management of the catchment.