In the heart of China’s Yangtze River basin, a critical study is shedding light on the pressing need for equitable water resource allocation between urban and rural areas. The research, led by Huaiguang He from the Hunan Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, focuses on the Dongting Lake (DTL) area, a region grappling with rapid urbanization and demographic shifts that are straining its water resources.
The study, published in the journal ‘Discover Sustainability’ (translated as ‘可持续发展探索’), employs advanced water quality assessment methods to classify water resources and predict future supply-demand balances. The findings reveal a stark reality: despite sufficient total surface water, the region faces a looming scarcity of high-quality water resources (HQWRs). By 2035 and 2050, the scarcity rates are projected to rise to 13.7% and 17.0%, respectively, with HQWR shortages escalating from 42.5% to 49.4%.
“This disparity between water quality and supply capacity is a significant challenge,” says He. “Our research underscores the urgent need for targeted optimization in infrastructure construction and water quality assurance.”
The study employs the NSGA-II optimization algorithm to conduct a multi-objective optimization of water resource allocation, proposing four water supply solutions. These solutions have significantly improved the reliability of water supply in the DTL area, with the overall reliability rising from 0.588 to 0.936. Notably, Yiyang, a city reliant on groundwater, exhibited the greatest improvement in reliability.
The commercial implications for the energy sector are substantial. Water is a critical input for many energy processes, from cooling thermal power plants to hydraulic fracturing in oil and gas extraction. Ensuring a reliable supply of high-quality water is essential for the stable operation of energy infrastructure. The study’s findings could guide policymakers and industry stakeholders in planning and investing in water infrastructure, ensuring a sustainable and equitable distribution of resources.
As He notes, “This initiative seeks to foster the sustainable development and equitable distribution of resources in the DTL area, offering a reference for future urban and rural water resource allocation.” The research not only highlights the pressing need for water resource management but also provides a roadmap for achieving it, potentially shaping future developments in the field and ensuring a more sustainable and equitable future for all.