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The Guanabara Bay hydrographic region (GBHR) has served as a central hub for human settlement and resource utilization throughout Brazil's history. However, the region's high population density and intense industrial activity have come at a cost, leading to a significant decline in water quality. This work aimed to identify homogeneous regions in GBHR according to water quality parameters in dry and rainy periods. The following water quality monitoring variables were monitored at 49 gauge stations: total phosphorus (TP), nitrate (NO3-), dissolved oxygen (DO), hydrogenionic potential (pH), turbidity (Turb), thermotolerant coliforms (TCol), total dissolved solids (TDS), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), water temperature (Tw), and air temperature (Ta). The statistical analysis consisted of determining principal components, cluster analysis, seasonal differences, and Spearman's correlation. The water quality parameter correlations were not expressively influenced by seasonality, but there are differences in the concentrations of these parameters in the dry and rainy periods. In the dry period, urban pressure on water quality is mainly due to fecal coliforms. The resulting clusters delimited areas under urban, agricultural, and forestry influence. Clusters located in areas with high demographic density showed high concentrations of TCol and TP, while clusters influenced by forestry and agriculture had better water quality. In the rainy season, clusters with urban influence showed problems with TCol and TP, in addition to some characteristics in each group, such as high TDS, NO3-, and BOD. Forested areas showed high DO, and clusters under agricultural influence had higher concentrations of TCol, BOD, and NO3- concerning forested regions. The troubling state of sanitation in GBHR occurs in metropolitan regions due to lack of a formal sanitation system.

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Outcrops play an important role in groundwater recharge. Understanding groundwater origins, dynamics and its correlation with different water sources is essential for effective water resources management and planning in terms of quantity and quality. In the case of the Guarani Aquifer System (GAS) outcrop areas are particularly vulnerable to groundwater pollution due to direct recharge processes. This study focuses on the Alto Jacaré-Pepira sub-basin, a watershed near Brotas, a city in the central region of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, where groundwater is vital for supporting tourism, agriculture, urban water supply, creeks, river and wetlands. The area has a humid tropical climate with periods of both intense rainfall and drought, and the rivers remain perennial throughout the year. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the interconnections between a spring and its potential sources of contribution, namely rain and groundwater, in order to elucidate the relationships between the different water sources. To achieve this, on-site monitoring of groundwater depth, rainfall amount, and stable isotope ratios (deuterium (2H) and oxygen-18 (18O)) from rain, spring discharge, and a monitoring well was carried out from 2013 to 2021. The results indicate that the mean and standard deviations for δ18O in rainwater exhibit higher variability, resulting in -4.49 ± 3.18 ‰ VSMOW, while δ18O values from the well show minor variations, similar to those of the spring, recording -7.25 ± 0.32 ‰ and -6.94 ± 0.28 ‰ VSMOW, respectively. The mixing model's outcomes reveal seasonal variations in water sources contribution and indicate that groundwater accounts for approximately 80 % of spring discharge throughout the year. Incorporating stable isotopes into hydrological monitoring provides valuable data for complementing watershed analysis. The values obtained support the significance of the aquifer as a primary source, thereby offering critical insights into stream dynamics of the region.

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The global demand for agricultural commodities has driven extensive land conversion to agriculture in Brazil, especially in the MATOPIBA region. This area encompasses the Rio Grande Basin, a major tributary of the São Francisco Basin that is known for expanding intensive irrigated agriculture and hydropower generation. However, recent data reveal declining precipitation and aquifer recharge, potentially exacerbating ongoing water and land conflicts. This study investigates the long-term sustainability of agricultural expansion amid the worsening water scarcity using a system dynamics model. Findings suggest that rising costs and decreasing profits due to irrigation water shortages may hinder the expansion of irrigated land. By 2040, the irrigation demand may remain partly unmet, while downstream flow and baseflow could decrease. Additionally, agricultural expansion will significantly raise energy demand, posing a developmental challenge. We suggest that ensuring the sustainability of the Rio Grande Basin depends on improved water management and exploring alternative energy sources to address existing constraints.

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The Paraná River Delta in South America, a large wetlands macromosaic, faces threats from climate change, human activities like livestock intensification, and hydrological modifications driven by the construction of water management infrastructure to prevent flooding in productive lands. Macroinvertebrates, essential for wetland health, are affected by cattle-induced changes in water quality, nutrient enrichment, and trampling, posing challenges to the ecosystem's ecological balance and long-term survival of these organisms. In this study, we analyzed the impact of two categories of cattle stocking rates (low and high) on the taxonomic and functional structure of the aquatic macroinvertebrate community in freshwater marshes. In addition, we compare the influence of cattle stocking rate on macroinvertebrates in natural and modified freshwater marshes, and, finally, the effect of cattle stocking rate in three contrasting hydrometeorological periods: a drier, a humid, and an extreme drought period. Samplings were conducted in 16 freshwater habitats of the Lower Paraná River Delta, examining variables such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, coliforms, and nutrient concentrations. Macroinvertebrates were collected and functional and taxonomic metrics were estimated. Statistical analyses, including ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests, were conducted to evaluate the effects of cattle stocking rates, hydrological modifications, and hydrometeorological periods on macroinvertebrate metrics and environmental variables. RDA, PERMANOVA, and SIMPER analyses explored the relationships between assemblage composition and environmental factors. High stocking rate altered the community structure, modifying its composition and decreasing the density, taxonomic and functional richness. Moreover, hydrological alterations exacerbated these negative impacts of cattle overstocking in macroinvertebrates. Under severe drought conditions, only tolerant species can survive cattle overstocking conditions. Our findings provide relevant insight into the ecological risks associated with cattle overstocking in natural and modified freshwater marshes and underscore the need to control cattle stocking rates in extreme drought to avoid loss of ecological functions.

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The increasing demand for water and worsening climate change place significant pressure on this vital resource, making its preservation a global priority. Water quality monitoring programs are essential for effectively managing this resource. Current programs rely on traditional monitoring approaches, leading to limitations such as low spatiotemporal resolution and high operational costs. Despite the adoption of novel monitoring approaches that enable better data resolution, the public's comprehension of water quality matters remains low, primarily due to communication process deficiencies. This study explores the advantages and challenges of using Internet of Things (IoT) and citizen science as alternative monitoring approaches, emphasizing the need for enhancing public communication of water quality data. Through a systematic review of studies implemented on-field, we identify and propose strategies to address five key challenges that IoT and citizen science monitoring approaches must overcome to mature into robust sources of water quality information. Additionally, we highlight three fundamental problems affecting the water quality communication process and outline strategies to convey this topic effectively to the public.

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Hydroelectric power is the main source of electrical energy in Brazil. Electrical energy providers have the duty to monitor water quality in reservoirs to preserve water quality and support best management practices that enable multiple water uses, including fish production. In this context, the objectives of this study were (i) to perform a historical evaluation of water quality in Três Marias Reservoir, (ii) to present an optimization of the water quality monitoring network, and (iii) to evaluate the evolution and impact of fish farming upon surface water quality by using secondary data measured in situ and remote sensing. A systematic approach was applied to analyze historical water quality data. Principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) were applied to identify the most important parameters and monitoring points. Images obtained from Sentinel 2 were treated by contrast to quantify simple and weighted densities of fish farming activities in the region while regression analysis was performed to verify correlations between these densities and water quality parameters. Results showed that the pH and total suspended solids were the most important parameters for characterizing water quality, especially near tributaries, and that monitoring points could be grouped into three clusters (upstream, central, and downstream regions) with distinct water quality conditions. The PCA indicated that there is no redundance among parameters nor monitoring stations and that areas near tributaries must be prioritized for monitoring as these are important sources of suspended solids. Remote sensing images showed that the area occupied by fish farms has increased in the reservoir from 2016 to 2022 and the methodology used for this purpose in this study may be applied to other bodies of water. Chlorophyll-a showed a direct relationship with the density of fish farms indicating a possible influence of nutrient input to the reservoir by this activity. These results provide valuable information to support decision-making related to water management in the reservoir.

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Sugarcane vinasse wastewater (SVW) is one of the most voluminous waste generated in the ethanol industry and usually applied in fertigation. It is characterized by presenting high COD and BOD; thus, continued disposal of vinasse results in negative environmental impacts. In this paper, we investigated the potential of SVW in replacement of water in mortar, rethinking about reuse of effluent, reduction of pollutants in the environment, and water consumption in civil construction. Mortar composites with 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% of water replaced by SVW were studied in order to determine the optimum content. Mortars with 60 to 100% of SVW result in improved workability and reduction in water demand. The mortars with 20, 40, and 60% SVW resulted in satisfactory mechanical properties, i.e., similar to the control mortar. However, XRD analysis of cement pastes showed that the SVW causes a delay in CH formation, reaching mechanical strength after 28 days. Durability tests results showed that SVW contributes to the mortar becoming more impermeable; therefore, less susceptible to weathering. This study provides an important evaluation of the potential of SVW for application in civil construction, indicating relevant results for replacement of water by liquid wastes in cementitious composites and reduction the use of natural resources.

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Achieving sustainability and resilience depends on the conciliation of environmental, social, and economic issues integrated into a long-term perspective to ensure communities flourish. Many nations are transitioning toward both objectives, while at the same time addressing structural concerns that have not allowed them to look after the environment in the past. Chile is one of these nations dealing with such challenges within a particular administrative context, an increasing environmental awareness, and a set of unique and complex geophysical boundaries that impose a plethora of hazards for cities, ecosystems, and human health. This paper presents recent accomplishments and gaps, mostly from an environmental perspective, on issues related to air pollution, the urban water cycle, and soil contamination, in the path being followed by Chile toward urban sustainability and resilience. The focus is on the bonds between cities and their geophysical context, as well as the relationships between environmental issues, the built environment, and public health. The description and diagnosis are illustrated using two cities as case studies, Temuco and Copiapó, whose socioeconomic, geographical, and environmental attributes differ considerably. Particulate matter pollution produced by the residential sector, drinking water availability, wastewater treatment, stormwater management, and soil contamination from the mining industry are discussed for these cities. Overall, the case studies highlight how tackling these issues requires coordinated actions in multiple areas, including regulatory, information, and financial incentive measures. Finally, the policy analysis discusses frameworks and opportunities for Chilean cities, which may be of interest when conceiving transitional paths toward sustainability and resilience for other cities elsewhere.

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An increase in the frequency of severe hydrological events has highlighted the importance of sustainable water management in intensive agricultural regions. In a warming climate, improved understanding and stewardship of water resources are needed to guarantee water supply, ensure food security, and build resilience against extreme events. In this study, we evaluate a framework that combines spectral analysis and geochemical tracers as a potential tool for (1) gaining valuable insights into surface water (SW)-groundwater (GW) interactions, and (2) providing guidance for improved water management in an intensive agricultural basin in southern Guatemala. The framework proves to be useful in revealing important water dynamics, exposing key feedback mechanisms for water availability and quality. With the use of power density functions and hydrochemistry (T, pH, EC, and major ions), two specific interaction regimes (influent and effluent) were identified and delimited for the main watercourse. These segments are estimated to interact at high rates with the shallow aquifer in the river channel proximities and would lose influence towards the basin flanks. Furthermore, the δ2H and δ18O values indicate that regional groundwater flow systems play an essential role in the basin groundwater recharge. Lastly, we established three influence zones that depict the spatial extent of the SW-GW interactions within the basin. With these zones, we provide recommendations that will allow for further investigation and application into better water management strategies regulating groundwater development and land use activities within the agricultural context of the area.

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A hydro-geochemical characterization was conducted in the northern part of the Sonora River basin, covering an area of 9400 km2. Equipotential lines indicated that groundwater circulation coincided with the surface water flow direction. Based on the groundwater temperature measured (on average ∼21 °C), only one spring exhibited thermalism (51 °C). Electrical conductivity (160-1750 µS/cm), chloride and nitrate concentrations (>10 and >45 mg/L) imply highly ionized water and anthropogenic pollution. In the river network, δ18O values revealed a clear modern meteoric origin. Focused recharge occurred mainly from the riverbeds during the rainy season. During the dry season, diffuse recharge was characterized by complex return flows from irrigation, urban, agricultural, mining, and livestock. Drilled wells (>50 m) exhibited a strong meteoric origin from higher elevations during the rainy season with minimal hydrochemical anomalies. Our results contribute to the knowledge of mountain-front and mountain-block recharge processes in a semi-arid and human-altered landscape in northern Mexico, historically characterized by limited hydrogeological data.

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It has been established that climate change has a direct impact on water availability, an essential resource for agricultural development. As a result, controlling, mitigating, and adapting to water deficit requires the advancement of research on promising wild flora species. As recent studies have shown, wild relatives of certain cultivars are tolerant to adverse factors, enabling the development of sustainable and resilient agriculture. The present study evaluated the morpho-physiology and productivity of tomato scions grafted on wild Solanaceae (Datura stramonium, Solanum sisymbriifolium, Solanum quitoense, and Cyphomandra betacea) grown under water deficit conditions (100% ETc - high level, 75% ETc - moderate level, 50% ETc - medium level, and 25% ETc - low level). The results showed that tomato plants grafted on Datura stramonium rootstocks performed better morpho-physiologically under deficit irrigation. The improved osmoregulation caused by a higher relative water content (98.49%) allowed the scion to be more tolerant to water stress. In addition, these scions showed high water potential during their phenological stages (vegetative -0.47 MPa, flowering -0.59 MPa, and production -0.64 MPa), as well as improved photosynthetic efficiency. The overall tolerance of the scion resulted in better yield (8.14 kg/plant) with higher number of commercially valuable fruits. The D. stramonium rootstock allowed better management and use of irrigation water, increasing productivity (54.95 kg/m3); that is, it is presented as a species with potential for establishing tomato production areas in scenarios of water scarcity or cultivation under deficit irrigation.

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In this work, we propose a new approach to diagnose if a water allocation scheme is compatible with long-term water security at the catchment scale, and suggest steps to achieve such compatibility. We argue that when the remaining flow of a river after upstream withdrawals is not sufficient to safeguarding ecological river functions, the basin is at extreme risk of water scarcity, which indicates that the water management is failing. To test this, we analysed the water scarcity risks and the safeguarded environmental flows (e-flows) in 277 basins across a wide range of hydro-climatic conditions in Chile (17-55°S). For each basin, water scarcity risks were assessed based on water stress indices (WSIs, computed as the ratio of withdrawals to water availability), considering two water-use scenarios: (i) WSImax, where total withdrawals correspond to the maximum consumptive water allowed by the law, i.e., where only the e-flows protected by law remain in the river, and (ii) WSIalloc, where total withdrawals correspond to the actual allocated consumptive water uses within the basins. Further, we evaluated the adequacy of the water management system to protect ecological river functions by contrasting the e-flows protected in Chile with those safeguarded in six other countries. The water allocation system in Chile incorporated the protection of minimum e-flows in 2005 and established that these do not exceed 20% of the mean annual streamflow, except in some exceptional cases. This upper limit is consistently lower than the e-flows safeguarded in other countries, where 20%-80% of the mean annual streamflow are protected. This turns out in WSImax values between 80% and 100% in all basins, well above the threshold associated with over-committed basins under extreme risk of water scarcity (70% typically). When moving from the legally allowed to the actually allocated water use scenario, we found contrasting results: about 70% of the basins show low water scarcity risk (WSIalloc <40%), while an 18% have WSIalloc above 100%, indicating the allocation is going beyond current law limits and even beyond physical limits. Our results reveal that the link between e-flows, water allocation and water security has not been adequately incorporated in the current law. E-flows stipulated by law are insufficient to fulfil environmental requirements, while placing the basins under extreme risk of water scarcity if the total allowed withdrawals were exerted. To move towards a system that can effectively achieve long-term water security, we recommend: (i) To define tolerable water scarcity risks for basins, considering environmental requirements. (ii) To translate those risks into measurable basin indices to measure water security, such as the WSI. (iii) To set maximum water use limits (or minimum e-flows) within the basins that are compatible to the water security goals. If, under current and projected water availability conditions, the existing withdrawals exceed these limits, water managers should be able to adapt total consumption to the required limits.

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The expansion of urban water supply crisis (UWC) cases, a context characterized by an inadequate ratio between water consumption and supply capacity, has motivated researchers to search for tools to solve the problem. The objective of this study is to develop a multicriteria tool to help select the solution alternative for UWC cases. The tool (called UWC-MCDA) is based on obtaining consensus on various multicriteria methods for selecting alternatives to solve UWC cases. The proposed methodology consists of the following steps: (1) defining the criteria, (2) defining weights, (3) defining the alternative, (4) defining multicriterial decision support methods, (5) coding the UWC solution alternative selection model, (6) evaluation of the model coding, (7) application of the model coding, and (8) sensitivity analysis. The methods PROMETHEE II, TOPSIS, ELECTRE III, and Consensus ranking are used. The case study considered was the Administrative Region of Brasilia, in the Federal District of Brazil. A multicriteria tool to help select the solution alternative for UWC cases was developed in an easy-to-use environment (Visual Basic for Applications, MS Excel). The UWC-MCDA is able to identify and prioritize, among a set of possible alternatives, the most appropriate solution for the case in question. For the case study, the UWC-MCDA indicated the best alternatives for regulating water consumption, strengthening sanitation service operators and good water conservation practices. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:99-113. © 2022 SETAC.

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In recent decades, research on precision irrigation driven by climate change has developed a multitude of strategies, methods and technologies to reduce water consumption in irrigation projects and to adapt to the increasing occurrence of water scarcity, agricultural droughts and competition between agricultural and industrial sectors for the use of water. In this context, the adoption of water-saving and application practices implies a multidisciplinary approach to accurately quantify the water needs of crops under different water availability and management practices. Thus, this review article presented a review of technologies and new trends in the context of precision irrigation, future perspectives and critically analyze notions and means to maintain high levels of land and water productivity, which minimize irrational water consumption at the field level.

Nas últimas décadas pesquisas voltadas à irrigação de precisão, impulsionadas pelas mudanças climáticas, desenvolveram uma infinidade de estratégias, métodos e tecnologias para reduzir o consumo de água em projetos de irrigação, para adaptação à crescente ocorrência de escassez de água, secas agrícolas e competição entre os setores agrícolas e industriais pelo uso da água. Nesta conjuntura, a adoção de práticas de economia e aplicação de água, implica em uma abordagem multidisciplinar para a quantificação precisa das necessidades de água das culturas, sob diversas práticas de disponibilidade e manejo da água. Dessa forma, este artigo de revisão tem como objetivo apresentar uma revisão sobre as tecnologias e novas tendências no contexto da irrigação de precisão, as perspectivas futuras e analisar criticamente noções e meios para manter altos índices de produtividade da terra e da água, que minimizem o consumo de água irracional a nível de campo.

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Access to sufficient water of suitable quality represents a challenge for achieving several dimensions of sustainable development. Currently, water access is restricted to three of 10 persons globally. In rural areas of Mexico and other low-income countries, coverage could be even less due to the absence of formal supply; thus, rural communities usually perform water management. Surrounding community-based water management, various socio-ecological interactions emerge that determine access to water. Access to water will depend on the obstacles or capacities that arise within the socio-ecological system in which the community is immersed. This work identifies barriers and bridges to water access in a rural environment through mixed methods. The article draws on three case studies in southeastern Mexico by analyzing 90 questionnaires conducted at the household level and three focus groups in parallel with water quality analysis and its relationship with management practices. The barriers and bridges were classified into six water access challenges: (i) access to water in a sufficient quantity, (ii) access to water of adequate quality, (iii) access to water for household crop irrigation, (iv) hygiene and sanitation facilities, (v) collective organization, and (vi) climate variability. The main findings indicate that households' water quantity and quality show deficiencies due to the lack of formal infrastructure and represent a health risk. Water fetching has the highest impact on women and children in poor rural areas, and it is a significant barrier to sustainable development. In contrast, the collective organization proved to be an essential bridge for water access in these communities.

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The inter-mountainous region of central Honduras has been experiencing abrupt urban drinking water shortages during the last decade. Land use fragmentation and rainfall deficits have rapidly reduced surface water quality and quantity in this region. Here we present a 3-yr (2018-2020) tracer study within the headwaters of the Choluteca River basin (2949 km2). We sampled rainfall (weekly N = 156; daily N = 270), drilled wells (N = 166; up to ~300 m depth), boreholes (N = 70; ~4-12 m depth), and springs (N = 128) to assess the spatiotemporal connectivity between rainfall and mean groundwater recharge elevations (MREs). Clear W-shaped incursions characterized rainfall isotopic seasonality from the dry to the wet season. Air mass back trajectory analysis revealed three primary moisture sources: 73 % (east, Caribbean Sea), 17 % (southwest, Pacific Ocean), and 10 % (north; Gulf of Mexico). Groundwater sources exhibited a strong meteoric origin with evidence of secondary evaporation evolution, characterized by low d-excess values. MREs for the drilled wells ranged from 821 to 2018 m asl with a mean value of 1570 ± 150 m asl. Seasonal isotopic variability during dry-wet transitions and the influence of rapid infiltration limited the performance of the MRE method in springs and boreholes. MREs coincided primarily with coniferous forests, pasture, and crop areas, within regions of moderate to high transmissivity. These results are intended to guide the mapping and delineation of critical recharge areas in central Honduras to enhance municipal water regulations, effective environmental protection, and long-term conservation practices.

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Semiarid regions are characterised by water scarcity, a limiting factor on plant growth and development. The Sertão Canal was built in the semiarid region of Brazil, more specifically in the state of Alagoas, with the aim of making year-round irrigation possible. However, for the best water management, a physical and hydrological knowledge of the soils is necessary. As such, the aim of this study was to determine the physical and hydrological characteristics of three different types of soil (Argisol, Quartzarenic Neossol and Regolithic Neossol) under native vegetation (Caatinga) and agricultural systems in the semiarid region of Alagoas, as well as to adjust the soil water retention characteristic curves. Soil samples were collected at depths of 0-10, 10-20 and 20-30 cm in the municipalities of Inhapi, Delmiro Gouveia and Pariconha, in the state of Alagoas. The points of the moisture characteristic curve were determined by the Richards method, at pressures of 33, 100, 500, 1000 and 1500 kPa. Retention curves were modelled using the exponential decay equation and compared using the van Genuchten equation, modelled with the help of the RETC computer software. Particle size varied according to the textural classification of the different soils, from Sand to a Sandy Clay Loam. The retention curve fluctuated due to the particle size of the soil, with the Red-Yellow Argisol (Inhapi) having a greater capacity for water retention. Extremely sandy soils, such as those in the Delmiro Gouveia region, had a low capacity for retaining water. For each soil sample, the exponential decay equation gave the best fit, with values for R2adjust of greater than 0.93. When the measured soil moisture levels were compared with the levels estimated by the RETC model, some of the treatments were unable to estimate accurately the moisture levels obtained with the soil water retention curves.

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Worldwide, freshwater environments are impacted by inputs of nutrients and dissolved organic matter from human activities. Yet, the recovery of aquatic systems is usually focused only on nutrient management. In our work, we presented the case of an urban and hypereutrophic environment (Pampulha reservoir, Belo Horizonte, Brazil) that receives discharges from several streams and was treated with lanthanum modified bentonite (Phoslock®) and microbial bioremediation (Enzilimp®). Our goals were to evaluate whether the treatment could improve the water quality and characterize the spatiotemporal variation of dissolved organic matter sources and indices according to absorbance and fluorescence measurements from the reservoir and streams post-application months (2018). In our results, the reservoir showed a relative decrease in its phosphorus concentration compared to data from before the treatment. On the other hand, carbon concentrations reached expressive values in the post-application months following a similar pattern found in the streams. Our data showed that the reservoir's high resistance in its hypereutrophic condition was related to the elevated loading of external inputs coming from the streams. The parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) identified four main carbon sources, two of them being potential tracers of organic pollution in the Pampulha reservoir and watershed, together with absorbance and fluorescence indices. Our findings suggest that carbon parameters can be essential tools to provide adequate monitoring and optimization of water recovery attempts in complex, polluted environments.

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The deterioration of water quality worldwide is a serious environmental problem. Water managers still need operational tools to assess water issues and to inform water planning and decision-making. The aim of this article is to propose a 3-step methodological framework for assessing water pollution problems by combining a conceptual modeling tool (DPSIR) with the development of a quantitative model (Multi-Criteria Decision Model). This contribution provides a practical and flexible evaluation tool for conducting an integrated assessment of eutrophication and agrochemicals delivered to groundwater-dependent shallow lakes. It lays out action guidelines for decision-making environmental managers within the context of intermediate cities in developing countries. Forty-one indicators were identified to characterize the D-P-S-I compartments and for the multi-criteria model conceptualization. In this work, response options analysis consisted of evaluating and choosing water management instruments via a decision support tool. Two lake watersheds located in the peri-urban of two middle-size cities, in Argentina, were chosen to illustrate this methodological approach. The ensuing results allowed establishing a ranking of areas to prioritize, identifying a criteria and sub-criteria to focus on in order to set out action guidelines to minimize water pollution and eutrophication. These action guidelines are urgently needed in emerging countries, where financial, human resources and infrastructure are limited. The scarcity of such causes important implications regarding policy solutions for environmental issues. The implemented decision support tool in both lake watersheds provided a common basis for the understanding of the ongoing water pollution problems and a quantitative ranking (i.e., decision scores) for defining specific actions (responses) for human-induced stresses on such natural systems.

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Sustainable development is a grand challenge of the present century, with tremendous direct and indirect implications for a range of social, economic, and environmental factors. This research proposes a water-centric framework for evaluating "relative" sustainability of the status quo in a country via a new "hydro-social-economic-environmental sustainability index" (HSEESI). We test this framework across 35 countries of American continent using national-scale surveyed data for the 2005-2017 periods. HSEESI possesses four dimensions, namely economic, social development, knowledge and technology, and health sanitation and environment, and 12 related indicators for characterizing these dimensions. Based on the developed HSEESI scores, we assess the linkages between water resources and social-economic-environmental systems at the country level, using single and hybrid-artificial intelligence-gene expression programming (GEP) methods. The former method involves all the indicators, while the latter focuses only on the most effective indicators. Further, we aggregate these analyses at three spatial scales, including American continent, North American countries, and South American countries. Our analyses show that both methods lead to approximate similar results, but the latter is preferred for larger scales as it is more cost effective. Overall, results indicate that the status of water resources in North America is relatively sustainable, whereas in South America, it is relatively unsustainable. Importantly, social development, health sanitation, and environmental dimensions, in both North and South American continents, seem to have a relatively unsustainable status, indicating that water resources systems may not have enough capacity to meet the needs of those dimensions. At the country level, our analyses show that water resources systems of Uruguay, Guyana, and Venezuela may face the highest relative unsustainability, across economic, social development, and health sanitation and environment dimensions. The approach and the framework developed in this study can be applied in other regions around the world and with a more detailed representation of intra-country sustainability issues. It can inform managers and policymakers for sustainable planning and developing water resources projects across scales.

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