Reallocating Shared Groundwater Resources Using a Participatory Two-level Weighted Bankruptcy Framework

Abstract

The global rising demand for exploiting limited shared groundwater resources, coupled with significant water deficit, especially in arid and semi-arid regions, has led to escalating conflicts among stakeholders. As such, using Bankruptcy Theory methods can be an appropriate response to the reallocation of resources. This study introduces a novel approach to weighted Bankruptcy, where the relative importance of stakeholders is determined by their contributions to sustainable development, and their claims’ impact on shared groundwater resources is considered. The framework is implemented in a two-level bankruptcy process including the plains and their beneficiaries (agriculture, drinking and industry). The proposed two-level weighted bankruptcy process applies to the Neyshabour-Ataiyeh-Sabzevar plains in Iran. Moreover, a Weighted Combinational Contribution-Claim (WCCC) method is proposed comparing with the other weighted methods such as Proportionality (WPRO), Constrained Equal Awards (WCEA), Pinile (WPIN), Talmud (WTAL), Constrained Equal Losses (WCEL), Modified Constrained Equal Losses (MWCEL), which are considered in two categories including the deficit-based and resource-based approaches. According to the Bankruptcy Allocation Stability Index (BASI), the preferred deficit-based method in the first reallocation level is the WCEL, while the preferred resources-based method is the WCEA. In the second reallocation level, the proposed WCCC is chosen as the preferred deficit-based method for all beneficiaries. Among the resources-based methods, the WPRO method is preferred for Neyshabour's beneficiaries. Also, the WTAL method is preferred for Sabzevar's and Ataiyeh's beneficiaries. The novel approach offers a promising solution to the water resource reallocation problem, ensuring a more equitable and sustainable management of shared groundwater resources.