Water resources assessment in Hashtgerd study area based on system of environmental-economic accounting for water

Considering the role of water in the socio-economic development of countries as well as the quantitative and qualitative problems of water resources that cause crises, it is necessary to take a comprehensive approach in this field. Accordingly, the use of integrated water resources management in planning and policy-making of water resources has been considered. Water accounting is used to provide an integrated assessment of water resources by provision of needed data set. Among the various water accounting frameworks, the system of environmental-economic accounting for water is a suitable tool that, with its information system and support for integrated water resources management, can help policy-makers to make informed decisions in various fields, such as water allocation, improving water efficiency, and so on. In this study, by using the mentioned framework, water accounts related to Hashtgerd study area in 2006 and 2016 were compiled. Then, by production of water resources, economic and social indicators, the assessment of water resources system in the area has been conducted. The results indicate the critical status of water resources in the study area in such a way that the agricultural sector with 95.5% of water consumption has the greatest impact on the high values of relative water stress and water consumption intensity and although water consumption has increased, economic water productivity in this sector has declined. In addition, despite the state of water scarcity and the low per capita amount of renewable water resources, water consumption is still increasing.