Work

Assessing Water Demands and Allocation Strategies Using the Water Evaluation and Planning System—A Case Study of the Ghrib Basin, Algeria

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The Ghrib Basin is currently encountering water-related challenges due to population growth and growing competition among water users. Therefore, assessing the current water situation is essential for the anticipation of future needs in the region. This paper assesses water demand and allocation strategies in the Ghrib Basin, Algeria, using the Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) system. The simulation is based on five scenarios: “Increase in population and agricultural activity”, “Improving agricultural activity”, “Minimum domestic consumption”, “Enhancing Water Resources”, and “Best practice”, (which is a combination of two scenarios, i.e., “Improving agricultural activity” and ”Minimum domestic consumption”). The simulation outcomes indicate that the “Best practice” scenario represents the most advantageous and beneficial scenario by which the problem of the unmet demand can be solved. The resulting simulations indicated the need for the employment of water-efficient irrigation systems as well as the encouragement of sustainable water use, such as drip irrigation, which necessitates coordinated efforts and particular infrastructural investments. The derived outcomes are highly convincing and have the potential to serve as a decision support system for the effective governance of water resources in the Ghrib Basin. The methodology utilized in this study has the potential to be implemented in any basin across the globe.

Source: Water

DOI: 10.3390/w16192832

Authors: Mohammed El Amine Benallal, Chérifa Abdelbaki, Khaldoon A. Mourad, Abderrahim Badraoui, Navneet Kumar

Institutions: Pan African University Institute of Water and Energy Science, University of Abou Bekr Belkaïd, University of Bonn

Language: English

Topic: Water resources management and optimization

Subfield: Ocean Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Clean water and sanitation

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,955