Village Settlements’ Perspective on Rural Water Accessibility: A Mountainous Water Security Measurement Approach

Jie Li (), Ruijing Qiao, Lexuan Liu, Kai Wu, Pengbo Du, Kun Ye and Wei Deng ()
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Jie Li: Institute of International Rivers and Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
Ruijing Qiao: Institute of International Rivers and Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
Lexuan Liu: School of Logistics and Management Engineering, Yunnan University of Finance and Economics, Kunming 650221, China
Kai Wu: Institute of International Rivers and Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
Pengbo Du: Institute of International Rivers and Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
Kun Ye: Institute of International Rivers and Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
Wei Deng: The Faculty Geography Resource Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu 610066, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 11, 1-16

Abstract: In rural planning, ensuring sustainable water management is pivotal, particularly in addressing the challenges posed by the absence of comprehensive rural water security assessments. Despite the abundance of water resources in mountainous regions, their accessibility and utilization remain significant hurdles for local populations, often hindering sustainable development. This study proposed a rural water accessibility (RWA) model, focusing on village settlements (VSs) as fundamental units for water utilization. The model examines two critical aspects of mountainous water security that are essential for sustainability: the supply–demand relation between VSs and their water sources, and the water availability to characterize difficulties in obtaining water sources in complex terrain. Using data from 1156 natural VSs in Dongchuan District, Kunming, water demand was calculated based on population and local average rural water demand per person. Springs and streams were identified as main and standby water sources, respectively. The RWA model evaluates the supply–demand balance and assesses water availability using the least-cost path (LCP) method. The results establish RWA grades, indicating water security conditions for VSs. This approach effectively identifies supply–demand relations and determines water demand gaps, facilitating targeted water management in rural areas, especially during droughts. It enables managers to accurately gauge the grade of water accessibility for each VS, allowing for prompt and tailored emergency water supply interventions. Furthermore, aggregating the RWA of each VS can provide valuable insights for devising sustainable water management strategies in mountainous regions.

Keywords: mountainous water security; rural water accessibility (RWA) model; village settlements (VSs); supply–demand relation; water availability; sustainable water management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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