Chapter 2: State and Trends
waters can also permeate into aquifers, resulting in salt intrusion.
Monitoring, information management and dissemination
There are many initiatives that study and monitor patterns in the distribution of water resources, notably:
• Those which study precipitation variability in the light of climate change, for example the World Climate Research Programme. They use numerical models based on state- of-the-art technology and scientific knowledge. Many of the models produced are global, with adjustments at the regional level, but still with a coarse resolution and high uncertainty if downscaled. In
• situ hydrometeorological observations and
measurements in the field using specialized equipment. The devices range from outdated to high-tech in different locations of the region, but are poorly distributed in terms of providing a fully reliable picture of actual hydrological patterns at the regional scale. The density of hydrometeorological stations in LAC varies among countries but, considering the average range of measurements, is generally low (Figure 2.2.13).
Meteorological forecasting is particularly challenging in many countries of the region. The lack of a reliable and meshed regional observation network, coupled with the complex topography make the operational use of Limited Area Models quite difficult. For this reason, early warning systems based on coupled in situ monitoring, remote sensing data and numerical models are a fundamental tool for keeping the water cycle under constant review.
Several countries have also been building up the institutional and scientific framework needed to have good quality information on water quality and quantity. The water agency in Brazil (ANA) is now monitoring a significant network of freshwater resources throughout the country and has done so based on information collected and provided by the different states. Many countries are collecting data but there is a need to better integrate, coordinate and systematize
data collection efforts by institutions at different scales in order to enhance our understanding of the state and trends in water quality and quantity. This information is key for any management effort, just as information on employment, GDP or poverty is essential to run economic policies.
The water – energy - food nexus
According to the IWA, “solving the water-energy nexus to preserve our environment is undoubtedly the challenge of this century” (IWA 2014). In fact, finding a balance between the use of energy-for-water and water-for-energy is a complex task from a decision-making perspective.
Unlike past practices, investment projects in agricultural infrastructure rely heavily on long-term projections of seasonal water availability, runoff and other climate variables. The relevance of water availability for the agricultural sector is related not only to irrigation demand, but also to soil quality and plant growth. This means that a constant monitoring at all production scales is needed to guarantee satisfactory yields.
In the case of energy production, traditional sustainable energy sources13
such as biofuels require large quantities of
water for production, in this case water for plant growth, while fossil fuel plants require water only for cooling. Under projected drought conditions in some areas of the region, plans for bioenergy production should take into account irrigation requirements. Fossil fuel plants will need to be resilient to extreme events, and a lack of cooling water might force them to reduce their output.
With regards to the provision of drinking water, there is a link between water quality deterioration and energy needed to provide potable water. Every effort placed on maintaining water quality from drinking water sources will also have an effect on energy consumption.
13 “sustainable” is usually attributed to energy sources with low carbon footprint, e.g. with low GHG emissions.
67
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164 |
Page 165 |
Page 166 |
Page 167 |
Page 168 |
Page 169 |
Page 170 |
Page 171 |
Page 172 |
Page 173 |
Page 174 |
Page 175 |
Page 176 |
Page 177 |
Page 178 |
Page 179 |
Page 180 |
Page 181 |
Page 182 |
Page 183 |
Page 184 |
Page 185 |
Page 186 |
Page 187 |
Page 188 |
Page 189 |
Page 190 |
Page 191 |
Page 192 |
Page 193 |
Page 194 |
Page 195 |
Page 196 |
Page 197 |
Page 198 |
Page 199 |
Page 200 |
Page 201 |
Page 202 |
Page 203 |
Page 204 |
Page 205 |
Page 206 |
Page 207 |
Page 208 |
Page 209 |
Page 210 |
Page 211 |
Page 212 |
Page 213 |
Page 214 |
Page 215 |
Page 216 |
Page 217 |
Page 218 |
Page 219 |
Page 220 |
Page 221 |
Page 222 |
Page 223 |
Page 224 |
Page 225 |
Page 226 |
Page 227 |
Page 228 |
Page 229 |
Page 230 |
Page 231 |
Page 232 |
Page 233 |
Page 234 |
Page 235 |
Page 236 |
Page 237 |
Page 238 |
Page 239 |
Page 240 |
Page 241 |
Page 242 |
Page 243 |
Page 244 |
Page 245 |
Page 246 |
Page 247 |
Page 248 |
Page 249 |
Page 250 |
Page 251 |
Page 252 |
Page 253 |
Page 254 |
Page 255 |
Page 256 |
Page 257 |
Page 258 |
Page 259 |
Page 260 |
Page 261 |
Page 262 |
Page 263 |
Page 264