Addressing Water Scarcity and Climate Risks: Sustainable Solutions for Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia

Arul Vellaiyan, Usha Rekha Chinthapalli () and Sasidhar Bandu
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Arul Vellaiyan: College of Nursing, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj 16273, Saudi Arabia
Usha Rekha Chinthapalli: Department of Management, Swarna Bharathi Institute of Science and Technology, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad, Hyderabad 507002, India
Sasidhar Bandu: Department of English, Admissions and Registrations Deanship, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj 16278, Saudi Arabia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 20, 1-19

Abstract: Water scarcity poses a growing challenge in the Al Kharj region of Saudi Arabia, driven by rising water demand, climatic shifts, and unsustainable use of non-renewable resources. This study investigates the key factors contributing to water scarcity and climate vulnerability using a quantitative approach and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) on data from 525 respondents. The findings reveal that climate change (β = 0.426), land use changes (β = 0.247), and population growth (β = 0.153) significantly affect water availability, while economic development (β = 0.145) and poor water management practices (β = 0.066) also contribute to the problem. In addition, population growth and climate change were strongly associated with increased climate risks. These insights suggest that water scarcity in Al Kharj is driven by a nexus of ecological, demographic, and institutional pressures. The implications are that effective policy responses, such as improved land use regulation, investment in climate-resilient infrastructure, sustainable water governance frameworks, and public education campaigns, are essential to enhance long-term water security. These findings support the water-related goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and offer practical strategies for managing climate-adaptive water resources in arid regions.

Keywords: water scarcity; climate risks; sustainable solution; structural equation modelling (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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