Problematizing Water Vulnerability Indices at a Local Level: a Critical Review and Proposed Solution

Danuta Grosbois () and Ryan Plummer

Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), 2015, vol. 29, issue 14, 5015-5035

Abstract: Effectively assessing water vulnerability is essential as threats to water resources mount. Appraisals that take an integrative perspective incorporating physical and social considerations at a community scale are particularly important as they address the breadth of vulnerability sources and concentrate on a level where action frequently occurs. This paper critically reviews seven water vulnerability indices according to good practices for composite indices. The analysis reveals several shortcomings and discusses how they limit the validity of water vulnerability indices. A seven step framework is proposed to overcome these limitations. It builds upon previous approaches to assessing water vulnerability and incorporates good practice of developing composite indices. The framework offers guidance to enhance effectiveness and promotes tailoring of water vulnerability assessments to particular situations. Improving the accuracy of information from such assessments ultimately enhances the capability to respond to water related challenges. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2015

Keywords: Water vulnerability; Water vulnerability indices; Index design (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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DOI: 10.1007/s11269-015-1101-0

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