Identification of influencing components on water scarcity management performance for sustainability in limited water resource area: a review

Abstract

Water management by policy makers is based on multi-perspective information. In the case of water, scarcity causes public health, economic, and ecosystem problems because of the lack of safe water when the demand exceeds its availability. This study identified the influencing components of water scarcity management performance by systematic review methods based on two English full-text databases: Scopus and ScienceDirect from 2012 to 2022. A total of 22 studies were selected from 850 records by using the inclusion criteria and performance evaluation by the scoring rubric method. Moreover, the article quality was assessed using a critical appraisal tool by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist method. The result of this review revealed that the main influencing components of water scarcity management are related to the availability of water quantity and demand. Water availability is associated with the hydrological cycle which has uncertainty due to climate change. While the demand components depend on water use, population, industry and urbanization. Most of the studies in the literature review considered only water balance of water availability and demand. Such an approach is insufficient to achieve water security for sustainable development goals. Additional components including environmental components such as water quality degradation should be considered as these components can reduce the availability of freshwater resources. From an economic point of view, the benefit of water utilization should be prioritized in scarce water management in consideration of fairness in water rights. It is also essential to consider the contribution to socio-economic aspects from stakeholder meetings and participation.