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Problematizing Water Vulnerability Indices at a Local Level: a Critical Review and Proposed Solution

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  • Danuta Grosbois
  • Ryan Plummer

Abstract

Effectively assessing water vulnerability is essential as threats to water resources mount. Appraisals that take an integrative perspective incorporating physical and social considerations at a community scale are particularly important as they address the breadth of vulnerability sources and concentrate on a level where action frequently occurs. This paper critically reviews seven water vulnerability indices according to good practices for composite indices. The analysis reveals several shortcomings and discusses how they limit the validity of water vulnerability indices. A seven step framework is proposed to overcome these limitations. It builds upon previous approaches to assessing water vulnerability and incorporates good practice of developing composite indices. The framework offers guidance to enhance effectiveness and promotes tailoring of water vulnerability assessments to particular situations. Improving the accuracy of information from such assessments ultimately enhances the capability to respond to water related challenges. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Danuta Grosbois & Ryan Plummer, 2015. "Problematizing Water Vulnerability Indices at a Local Level: a Critical Review and Proposed Solution," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 29(14), pages 5015-5035, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:waterr:v:29:y:2015:i:14:p:5015-5035
    DOI: 10.1007/s11269-015-1101-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Ryan Plummer & Rob Loë & Derek Armitage, 2012. "A Systematic Review of Water Vulnerability Assessment Tools," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 26(15), pages 4327-4346, December.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Zheng Xiang & Xiaohong Chen & Yanqing Lian, 2016. "Quantifying the Vulnerability of Surface Water Environment in Humid Areas Base on DEA Method," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 30(14), pages 5101-5112, November.
    3. Jacob D. Petersen-Perlman, 2016. "Projecting River Basin Resilience in the Zambezi River Basin through Global Analyses and Basin Realities," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 30(6), pages 1987-2003, April.
    4. Zafar Hussain & Zongmin Wang & Jiaxue Wang & Haibo Yang & Muhammad Arfan & Daniyal Hassan & Wusen Wang & Muhammad Imran Azam & Muhammad Faisal, 2022. "A comparative Appraisal of Classical and Holistic Water Scarcity Indicators," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 36(3), pages 931-950, February.

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