Application of Integrated Urban Water Security Index (IUWSI) in Sana’a, Yemen (Case study)

Abstract

Water security is crucial to mitigate human-induced and climate change-related impacts on water resources. Previous studies on Sana'a's domestic water supply have raised safety, administration, and scarcity issues. However, a comprehensive water security assessment has not yet been conducted. This study uses the proposed Integrated Urban Water Security Index (IUWSI) framework to assess Sana'a's urban water security using human and environmental factors Five distinct parameters have been used to calculate (IUWSI) as a decision-making tool to prioritize and distinguish indicators affecting the five dimensions of urban water security: water supply, sanitation and hygiene, water economy, ecosystems, and governance and society. The proposed framework for measuring (IUWSI) in Sana’a city has revealed a low level of water security, with an overall index value of 1.43. This disappointing result indicates water security issues like limited access to safe drinking water, poor sanitation, and high-water pollution. The IUWSI framework helps water-insecure cities improve water supply management through logical and evidence-based decision-making.