Comparing Two Hydro-Economic Approaches for Multi-Objective Agricultural Water Resources Planning

Abstract

Hydro-economic models are valuable tools that can be used in irrigated agriculture in order to improve the understanding of the status quo of water resources, the role of water in agriculture, and the system behavior under changing conditions. The present paper attempts to give insights on how different water management objectives and data availability may influence the specification/ application of hydro-economic modeling, as well as the reliability and interpretation of their results. A Greek rural watershed located in Central Greece (Region of Thessaly) is used as a case study application. A common hydro-economic framework for sustainable water resources management in irrigated agriculture is examined, aiming to provide a simple and understandable tool for policymakers. In this framework two hydro-economic models (HEMs) were developed to address challenges regarding data limitations, spatial analysis, and scenario-based problems (e.g. agri-economic scenarios, water policy scenarios, environmental scenarios, etc.). A set of selection criteria was then used to qualitatively compare these two models, based on their advantages and disadvantages. The results of this analysis indicate that HEMs' development must be quite flexible about their settings and must take into consideration the desired accuracy level that is likely to satisfy their main purpose/goal. The optimal approach is the one that can achieve a balance between simplicity, flexibility, accuracy and robustness.

Simple hydro-economic tools for supporting small water supply agencies on sustainable irrigation water management

“…Clearly, there is a growing need for useful tools to meet and facilitate the above objectives, for improved water services, as well as to improve cooperation between farmers and DMs. We strongly support modeling and management at catchment level, as in our previous works (Alamanos et al 2020a(Alamanos et al , 2020b, but the focus here is on small rural water supply agencies (as Pinios LALR); acknowledging their challenges and the limited relevant literature, this framework aims to support them meet their objectives.…”

“…Here, an opposite mindset is promoted to the LALR (and par extension to every Greek LALR), using parameters as water availability and demand, water balance and quality, profits, costs, value of irrigation water and its full cost. A limitation of this study is that all these factors cannot be presented in detail in a paper's length, but the focus in this case is to support irrigation agencies (by combining for the first time those methods), rather than on the modeling aspect (for the later's details see Alamanos et al 2020aAlamanos et al , 2020b.…”

“…Pinios LALR uses an area-based pricing system, aiming at standard revenues to the LALR. The areal based charges are not correlated at all with actual water consumption levels, and their main purpose is to cover their operating costs only (Alamanos et al 2020a). Furthermore, this system does not provide any incentive for water conservation.…”

“…The proposed alternatives are simulated as demand-management scenarios and are evaluated from DMs and experts in the field of water resources using the MCA technique MAUT (Multi-Attribute Utility Theory). Except the previous local-scale studies of Alamanos et al (2018Alamanos et al ( , 2020a, there are no similar applications in the study area, and to our knowledge, this is the first study that addresses these topics for a Greek LALR. The overall aim of the study is to: (a) illustrate the situation in the examined area, (b) sensitise Pinios LALR to further and to constantly monitor the simulated parameters (e.g.…”

Preface to the Special Issue: Managing Water Resources for a Sustainable Future

“…The two concluding papers deal with water resources planning. On the paper "Comparing two hydro-economic approaches for multi-objective agricultural water resources planning", by Alamanos et al 2020, the authors share their experience on the application of two hydroeconomic modelling approaches in a rural watershed located in Central Greece. Their focus is irrigated agriculture.…”