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Indicator-based water sustainability assessment - a review.
I Juwana1, N Muttil, B J C Perera
1Department of Environmental Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Bandung, Indonesia. iwan.juwana@live.vu.edu.au
The Science of the Total Environment
|October 2, 2012
Summary
This study reviews indicator-based approaches for water sustainability assessment. It explores key elements for developing and applying water sustainability indices to inform stakeholders and decision-makers.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Water Resource Management
- Sustainability Science
Background:
- Measuring sustainability is crucial, with indicator-based assessment tools being a key development.
- Numerous sustainability indices have been proposed by various organizations and individuals.
- Water sustainability assessment using indicators is a critical area of research and application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the indicator-based approach for water sustainability assessment.
- To discuss definitions, principles, and guidelines for sustainable water resource management.
- To explore the essential elements involved in developing and utilizing water sustainability indices.
Main Methods:
- Review of major definitions of sustainable development and sustainability principles.
- Examination of existing definitions, principles, and guidelines for sustainable water resource management.
- Exploration of six key elements of indicator-based water sustainability assessment, including indicator selection, weighting, aggregation, and robustness analysis.
Main Results:
- Analysis of four existing water sustainability indices and two other relevant sustainability indices.
- Identification of critical components for constructing and applying water sustainability indices.
- The review provides a framework for understanding and utilizing indicator-based water sustainability assessment.
Conclusions:
- Indicator-based water sustainability assessment offers valuable insights for stakeholders.
- Indices can inform about water resource conditions, contributing factors, and community status.
- These indices aid decision-makers in prioritizing water resource management issues and programs.
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