This research is aimed at developing the method for efficiently using the water in irrigation schemes in semi-arid regions. These irrigation schemes are often short of water to irrigate entire culturable command area (CCA) with maximum water requirement of different crops and are characterised with different weather patterns, soils and the possibility to grow several crops. The CCA of these schemes is also large with several users or units, each having different characteristics. The previous research in this field was mostly either on optimum allocation of the resources considering the irrigation scheme as a whole or on evaluating the performance of the irrigation scheme for certain irrigation schedules for different units in the scheme. However in such schemes optimum allocation of resources (land and water) to different crops and their distribution over different units is important (optimum allocation plan, OAP). In the present study, the method and a computer model are developed to prepare OAPs for these irrigation schemes under rotational water supply, by incorporating the concepts of deficit irrigation and productivity and equity in the optimisation process. The previous research stressed the importance of equity observed in different ways but seldom adopted in optimum allocation of resources. Therefore this method includes the preparation of OAPs while observing equity in allocation of land and water resources and distribution of crop production and net benefits. The developed model, Area and Water Allocation Model (A WAM), consists of four phases each one for generating irrigation strategies, preparing irrigation programme for each irrigation strategy, screening irrigation programmes and allocating resources optimally to different crops in different units. The A W AM estimates the irrigation water requirement, crop yield and net benefits by simulating the various process in the irrigation scheme, produces the OAPs at preseason planning with different scenarios of productivity and equity and management options, develops the steady OAP by considering the temporal variability in the weather and modifies the allocation plan optimally during the intraseasonal operation of the irrigation scheme. A W AM operates in seven different modes to achieve this. These are simulation, calibration, generation, optimisation, planning, operation and evaluation. The A W AM was applied to Nazare Medium Irrigation Project (medium lmgation scheme) in semi-arid region of Maharashtra State, India to evaluate the existing practice of irrigation (fixed depth irrigation), full depth irrigation and deficit irrigation for obtaining the OAPs. The practice of deficit irrigation was found to be beneficial over the existing approach and full depth irrigation. The OAPs at preseason planning are obtained for several alternatives and compared. The OAPs were obtained for different equity criteria. The productivity and equity were found to be inversely related. The method is proposed to obtain the stable OAP with A WAM by considering several years' data. The present research contributes towards efficient utilisation of water in the irrigation scheme by incorporating the deficit irrigation and productivity and equity in obtaining OAPs, developing the methods to obtain the steady OAP and modifying the allocation plan optimally during the intraseasonal operation of the irrigation scheme.

Water development and allocation have been among the most important problems Utah has had to face throughout the past 117 years of development . When Utah's first white settlers, the Mormon pioneers, entered Salt Lake Valley in July of 1847, little met their eyes to entice their stay. The earth was so parched and dry that they were unable to scratch the surface with their plows. Less than two hours after their arrival members of the party began digging ditches and building dams to irrigate and soften the earth so they could begin plowing.

This research focuses on the role of water governance in building resilience and fostering sustainability in socio-ecological systems (SES). Water governance refers to the structures, processes and actors – and the dynamic interactions among them – that facilitate and influence decisions affecting water resources and aquatic ecosystems in terms of their collective influence on sustainability of SES. As human water demands grow and the impacts of climate change set in, water governance regimes are increasingly challenged to provide sufficient water to support livelihood and economic activities while also protecting the life-supporting functions of freshwater ecosystems. The objective of this thesis was to understand and assess whether governance arrangements for water allocation in Ontario are effectively addressing this challenge. A broad literature review focused on three overlapping bodies of literature – (1) sustainability, resilience and systems thinking, (2) governance and planning, and (3) water policy and management. From this review, a conceptual framework was developed to guide understanding and assessing the effectiveness of water governance arrangements to enhance resilience and foster sustainability. The framework includes seven criteria: socio-ecological system integrity; equity; efficiency; transparency and accountability; participation and collaboration; precaution and adaptation; and, integration. A case study of water allocation was undertaken in Whiteman’s Creek watershed, a sub-watershed of the Grand River in southwestern Ontario, where water scarcity is a persistent concern and where conditions are anticipated to worsen under climate change, posing problems for both human livelihoods and the integrity of the creek ecosystem. Data for the case study were collected through content analysis of documents, records and websites and through semi-structured interviews with key informants. The conceptual framework was used to synthesize the data into a narrative from which recommendations for strengthening water governance were proposed. Water governance is increasingly taking on forms more distributed or polycentric in structure and more inclusive, collaborative and participatory than previous models built largely on top-down, centralized decision making. This shift is viewed by many as a critical element for building resilience and sustainability. While the governance regime for water allocation in Whiteman’s Creek reflects these general trends, the case study findings suggest that Ontario’s existing water governance system is not capable to deal effectively with more frequent and prolonged drought conditions anticipated in Whiteman’s Creek as the climate changes. Introduction of decentralized governance arrangements over the past decade, primarily the Ontario Low Water Response (OLWR) plan, has enhanced capacity in Whiteman’s Creek to cope with recurring low water conditions. Yet when pressed with extreme drought conditions, as experienced during the period of field work for this thesis, the challenge of satisfying both instream water needs and withdrawal uses reveals weaknesses in the governance system, including unclear decision-making criteria (e.g., related to hydrological thresholds), uncertainty related to roles and responsibilities of various actors, and generally limited capacity for precaution and adaptation. Recommendations are proposed for improving water governance in Whiteman’s Creek, and in Ontario more broadly. Ecologically-based thresholds should be integrated into water management regimes to ensure sufficient water is secured to sustain aquatic ecosystem integrity and to provide clarity on limits to permitted allocation and OWLR thresholds. More broadly, a focus on building adaptive capacity and engaging in anticipatory planning will be central to building resilience and fostering sustainability in Whiteman’s Creek.

This thesis examines the case study of Jericho as an example of the unique challenges of intra-Palestinian water allocation. Over the past hundred years, Jericho has been under the control of five ruling governments: Ottoman, British, Jordanian, Israeli and Palestinian. This study begins with an investigation of local water allocation under foreign control. Throughout each period of rule, legislation about water was inherently connected with land control, and Jericho’s history as an agricultural city dictated how water was classified. Despite many of the nominal changes in law from one government to the next, local practice changed relatively little, as the community allocated resources in a fairly consistent way among community members. Jericho’s sustained level of agriculture has been possible because of the consistently high output of a large spring, Ein Sultan, just north of the contemporary city. The second chapter examines the transition from Israeli to Palestinian control of Jericho in 1994, which is now considered an Area A zone in the West Bank, and examines the relationship of nascent Palestinian water institutions with previous informal networks. The last section addresses the challenges facing Jericho today, referencing and analyzing the recently written Master Plan for Jericho’s water system undertaken by a Palestinian nongovernmental organization. The Plan effectively highlights problems within the system of allocation, including: poor water quality, inefficient domestic and irrigation networks, conspicuous local consumption, ineffective pricing systems, and lack of wastewater treatment. However, the plan does not provide long-term suggestions to address the underlying systematic problems with the allocation system. Although Jericho is theoretically a Palestinian controlled municipality, it faces serious obstacles to effective governance of its resources. The informal institutions dominated by the agricultural sector that sustained the community for such a long time, may not be able to adjust in the face of necessary water reform for the city. The local government may need to consider politically unpopular decisions, reform tariffs, and decrease reliance upon foreign aid if it hopes to continue maintain and manage Ein Sultan and other water sources for the growing city into the future. / text

This research focuses on the role of water governance in building resilience and fostering sustainability in socio-ecological systems (SES). Water governance refers to the structures, processes and actors – and the dynamic interactions among them – that facilitate and influence decisions affecting water resources and aquatic ecosystems in terms of their collective influence on sustainability of SES. As human water demands grow and the impacts of climate change set in, water governance regimes are increasingly challenged to provide sufficient water to support livelihood and economic activities while also protecting the life-supporting functions of freshwater ecosystems. The objective of this thesis was to understand and assess whether governance arrangements for water allocation in Ontario are effectively addressing this challenge. A broad literature review focused on three overlapping bodies of literature – (1) sustainability, resilience and systems thinking, (2) governance and planning, and (3) water policy and management. From this review, a conceptual framework was developed to guide understanding and assessing the effectiveness of water governance arrangements to enhance resilience and foster sustainability. The framework includes seven criteria: socio-ecological system integrity; equity; efficiency; transparency and accountability; participation and collaboration; precaution and adaptation; and, integration. A case study of water allocation was undertaken in Whiteman’s Creek watershed, a sub-watershed of the Grand River in southwestern Ontario, where water scarcity is a persistent concern and where conditions are anticipated to worsen under climate change, posing problems for both human livelihoods and the integrity of the creek ecosystem. Data for the case study were collected through content analysis of documents, records and websites and through semi-structured interviews with key informants. The conceptual framework was used to synthesize the data into a narrative from which recommendations for strengthening water governance were proposed. Water governance is increasingly taking on forms more distributed or polycentric in structure and more inclusive, collaborative and participatory than previous models built largely on top-down, centralized decision making. This shift is viewed by many as a critical element for building resilience and sustainability. While the governance regime for water allocation in Whiteman’s Creek reflects these general trends, the case study findings suggest that Ontario’s existing water governance system is not capable to deal effectively with more frequent and prolonged drought conditions anticipated in Whiteman’s Creek as the climate changes. Introduction of decentralized governance arrangements over the past decade, primarily the Ontario Low Water Response (OLWR) plan, has enhanced capacity in Whiteman’s Creek to cope with recurring low water conditions. Yet when pressed with extreme drought conditions, as experienced during the period of field work for this thesis, the challenge of satisfying both instream water needs and withdrawal uses reveals weaknesses in the governance system, including unclear decision-making criteria (e.g., related to hydrological thresholds), uncertainty related to roles and responsibilities of various actors, and generally limited capacity for precaution and adaptation. Recommendations are proposed for improving water governance in Whiteman’s Creek, and in Ontario more broadly. Ecologically-based thresholds should be integrated into water management regimes to ensure sufficient water is secured to sustain aquatic ecosystem integrity and to provide clarity on limits to permitted allocation and OWLR thresholds. More broadly, a focus on building adaptive capacity and engaging in anticipatory planning will be central to building resilience and fostering sustainability in Whiteman’s Creek.

The major objectives of this study are to determine whether or not future needs for water in the Uinta Basin can be satisfied by the present quantity of water produced by the hydrology of the Basin. The specific objectives are as follows: 1. To determine the present demand for water in the Basin. 2. To determine the present annual quantity of water produced by the Basin. 3. To project the changes in the demand for water in the Uinta Basin resulting from energy, agricultural and other development. 4. To project the changes in the quantity of water available to satisfy these increased demands as successive units of water are made available.

nÃo hà / O homem na virada do milÃnio se depara com problemas ambientais de extensÃo planetÃria. No Ãmbito desses problemas emerge a questÃo da Ãgua, na medida em que o crescimento da populaÃÃo e das atividades econÃmicas provocam cenÃrios de escassez, afeiando a disponibilidade e qualidade dos recursos hÃdricos. No Estado do Cearà assim como no semi-Ãrido nordestino, a situaÃÃo à agravada pelos fenÃmenos da seca Nessas condiÃÃes cresce a disputa pelo concurso da Ãgua entre os atores econÃmicos e sociais. Urge. entÃo, a necessidade de implantaÃÃo de um sistema de gestÃo que estabeleÃa mecanismos e procedimentos de alocaÃÃo de Ãgua e outros instrumentos como a outorga, a cobranÃa da Ãgua c polÃticas agro-econÃmicas, com vistas a promoÃÃo da racionalizaÃÃo de seu uso. Esse Iiabalho busca contribuir para o desenho dc um modelo dc alocaÃÃo que melhor se adcqiie à realidade do Estado do CearÃ, refletindo a partir dos processos histÃricos formadores do quadro sÃcio-econÃmico e institucional vigente e de estudos com base na experiÃncia de gestÃo na bacia do rio Acarape do Meio. Dos estudos e pesquisas realizados compreendeu-se a importÃncia da caracierizaÃÃo da Ãgua enquanto bem pÃblico, a necessidade do equilÃbrio entre os usos (sobretudo em se tratando da Ãgua enquanto fator dc desenvolvimento do setor primÃrio) e a lucidez do pensamento que a prÃpria legislaÃÃo aluai consagra, quando descarta o precioso lÃquido de uma possÃvel condiÃÃo de mercadoria. Compreendcu-se; outrossim, que um modelo de alocaÃÃo, paia alcanÃar a equidade, deve ser conduzido por um processo de negociaÃÃo democrÃtico cada vez mais direto, envolvendo a sociedade civil assim como todos os usuÃrios das Ãguas das bacias. Esse processo deve se apoiar sobre as organizaÃÃes colegiadas das bacias: os comitÃs, instÃncias de onde deverÃo partir as linhas gerais dos planos e da aÃÃo gestora.

A escolha acertada de um modelo de alocaÃÃo de Ãgua em perÃodos crÃticos ameniza o sofrimento causado pela ausÃncia de um bem tÃo precioso. Apesar da infraestrutura hÃdrica existente, o estado do Cearà vem sofrendo com os problemas causados pela estiagem. A metodologia de alocaÃÃo de Ãgua, sobretudo em perÃodos de escassez, precisa ser formatada e discutida com os agentes envolvidos nesse processo. Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo apresentar uma proposta de estratÃgia para alocaÃÃo de Ãgua, em perÃodo de escassez, para o Vale do Rio Curu, CearÃ, construÃda a partir da junÃÃo de dois mecanismos de alocaÃÃo: a formaÃÃo de consenso entre usuÃrios e instrumentos econÃmicos. à demonstrado, para isso, que o uso da Ãgua no Vale do Curu à predominante na atividade de irrigaÃÃo. Dessa forma, a estratÃgia proposta à composta por um sistema de prioridades de uso de Ãgua intrassetorial para irrigaÃÃo, com base na cobranÃa pelo uso da Ãgua variando em funÃÃo da garantia de longo prazo. Os recursos arrecadados com essa cobranÃa serÃo utilizados para pagamento de seguro e compensaÃÃo financeira, em anos secos, aos usuÃrios com garantia menores. A metodologia de alocaÃÃo proposta alcanÃou resultados satisfatÃrios quanto aos critÃrios de eficiÃncia econÃmica, legitimidade e sustentabilidade polÃtica, equidade, sustentabilidade financeira e capacidade de adaptaÃÃo. Para sua efetiva implantaÃÃo, foram sugeridas as medidas necessÃrias de controle, monitoramento e fiscalizaÃÃo do uso da Ãgua, alÃm da adequaÃÃo da legislaÃÃo vigente. A discussÃo e deliberaÃÃo pelo Comità de Bacia HidrogrÃfica do Rio Curu foi apresentada como premissa fundamental para efetivaÃÃo da metodologia proposta / The right choice of a model of water allocation in critical periods alleviates the suffering caused by the absence of so precious. Despite the existing water infrastructure, the state of Cearà has been suffering with the problems caused by drought. The methodology for allocation of water, especially in times of scarcity needs to be formatted and discussed with stakeholders in this process. This research aims to propose a strategy for allocating water in lean period for the River Valley Curu, CearÃ, built from the junction of two allocation mechanisms consensus building between users and economic instruments. It is shown that for this water use in Curu Valley is dominantly in the activity irrigation. Thus the proposed strategy consists of the definition of a system of priorities for the use of intra-sectoral water for irrigation from the payment of charges for water use varies depending on the long-term warranty. The funds raised from this collection will be used to pay insurance and financial compensation, in dry years, users with lower collateral. The proposed allocation methodology achieved satisfactory results regarding the criteria of economic efficiency, legitimacy and political sustainability, equity, financial sustainability and adaptability. For its effective implementation were suggested appropriate measures for monitoring, control and supervision of water use, the adequacy of current legislation. The discussion and deliberation by the committee River basin Curu was presented as a prerequisite for realization of the proposed methodology

Increasing demand on limited water resources calls for more efficient and improved approaches to maximize the benefits of water use. Typically, agricultural water use has the largest share among all water use sectors. Therefore, finding the best agricultural water management alternatives to maximize profit and reduce financial and other related risks under limited water availability is essential. Treated wastewater is an important alternative source of agricultural water which has the potential to reduce the stress on freshwater sources from urban and industrial sectors. Thus, further research on optimal agricultural water management is needed to find the best management alternatives that address profitability and reduce stress on freshwater supplies, and related risks, by considering the potential use of treated wastewater when available. The overall goal of this work is to address this research need through an integrated methodology that uses irrigation, economics, and environmental and public health principles. This dissertation consists of three parts. The analysis in the first part determines the optimal crop pattern that maximizes profit under limited water supply that can be applied at regional scale farming operations. The goal is to find different alternatives of land and crop patterns that increase profit and reduce financial risk of not achieving a given revenue target. The second part extends the work of the first part to include the use of treated wastewater to reduce the stress on freshwater sources while maximizing profitability and minimizing public health and environmental concerns. The third part evaluates the economic benefits and limitations of using treated wastewater for agriculture on the urban and industrial sectors. This part also discusses other alternatives such as desalination that increase the net economic benefits, reduce the price of water, and assesses the needs in the institutional setting to encourage the use of treated wastewater in agriculture. The Bear River Valley of Utah was used as the study area for the first part of the work. The results showed that crop rotation leads to larger risk decrease more than crop monoculture and diversification cropping systems. Thus, alfalfa-wheat rotation has significant risk advantages over monoculture production and diversification cropping because of enhanced yield and price offsetting ability. The second part of the study used data and information from the Gaza Strip, Palestine, to demonstrate the potential use of treated wastewater given the severe water shortage facing this region. The tradeoff analysis from this work showed that profitability and economic efficiency of water use can be increased significantly compared to the existing conditions through the use of treated wastewater. Groundwater extraction in Gaza can be reduced from 57 to 36 million m3 allowing the corresponding areas of groundwater table below mean sea level to decrease from 76 km2 to 32 km2 as a result of using treated wastewater, indicating significant aquifer recovery. The final part of the analysis also used the Gaza Strip as the case study. The results showed that the benefits of using treated wastewater increase over time as demands increase and water becomes scarce, but the economic value of water does not fall below the seawater desalination cost of $0.60/m3. The urban and industrial water prices reduced significantly when wastewater is used for agriculture. Net benefits from treating and using wastewater far exceed the institutional change costs borne by the corresponding institutions. The work conducted by this dissertation clearly showed that new methods of integrated analysis using the concepts of water allocation, irrigation principles, economics, environmental concerns, and public health risk can be successfully conducted to improve existing agricultural water allocation and management practices in water deficit regions. Also such analyses will provide valuable information and insight leading to better management of valuable water resources that increase profitability in agricultural production while reducing stress on freshwater supplies through the use of alternative sources of water.

Magister Economicae - MEcon / In this thesis, I explore the allocation and use of water for productive and domestic purposes in the village of Siyandhani in the Klein Letaba sub-area, and how the allocation and use is being affected by new water resource management and water services provision legislation and policies in the context of water reform. This problem is worth studying because access to water for domestic and productive purposes is a critical dimension of poverty alleviation.The study focuses in particular on the extent to which policy objectives of greater equity in resource allocation and poverty alleviation are being achieved at local level with the following specific objectives: to establish water resources availability in Letaba/Shingwedzi sub-region, specifically surface and groundwater and examine water uses by different sectors (e.g. agriculture, industry, domestic, forestry etc.,); to explore the dynamics of existing formal and informal institutions for water resources management and water services provision and the relationship between and among them; to investigate the practice of allocation and use of domestic water; to investigate the practice of allocation and use of irrigation water.The study concludes that there is a problem of water scarcity in the study area and that the water scarcity is caused by the growth in the population, specifically in the Giyani area; these problems are exacerbated by financial and institutional obstacles within local institutions of governance. The water scarcity is not, therefore, natural but anthropogenic in nature.The water scarcity is not felt by all sectors, however: some farmers have access to water for irrigation, while many others face great challenges in their farming activities.Overall, people in Siyandhani and surrounding villages surrounding villages in the Letaba Catchment do not have access to water because of human action, hence the use of the concept of manufactured scarcity. The lack of access to water, it is argued,leads to the violation of the human right to water. This study concludes that water reform, which is widely seen as a priority for South Africa, has not yet reached the villages of the Klein Letaba.