Author(s): Irene Blanco-Gutierrez; Paloma Esteve; Marina Mautner; Marisa Escobar; Samaneh Seifollahi-Aghmiuni

Linked Author(s): Marisa Escobar

Keywords: Wastewater reuse; Planning and management; Climate uncertainty; Agriculture; Spain

Abstract: Growing pressure on water sources from diverse water demands and uses threatened by uncertain regional climate conditions have increased the use of unconventional water resources (e.g. reclaimed water) to compensate water deficit in Spain. Specifically, recycled urban wastewater has become an attractive, reliable, and safe alternative to regulated groundwater pumping in over-drafted aquifers for agricultural irrigation. However, wastewater reuse for irrigation still lags behind stated national goals, that may even conflict with environmental and recreational water uses in this high water stress region. This study uses a hydro-economic model to explore the potential for reclaimed water reuse in agriculture and effective water resource management under climate uncertainties for water availability. Management alternatives include different levels of reclaimed water reuse from urban wastewater treatment plants in the region, while climate uncertainty is represented by projected precipitation and temperature changes from a selection of global climate models under different representative concentration pathways. We evaluate the quantity of groundwater abstraction averted, area of crops irrigated with reclaimed water, impact on farmers’ income, and streamflow available for environmental uses under the combined climate and management scenarios. Such evaluations are subject to reclaimed water availability and groundwater pumping restrictions determined for drought conditions. Our results provide valuable insights on economic and environmental implications of reclaimed water reuse, and can support responsible decision and policy options to maximize the uptake of such alternatives for integrated and sustainable water resource management in semi-arid regions.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3850/IAHR-39WC2521711920221855

Year: 2022