Socio-Hydrological Approach for Water Resource Management and Human Well-Being in Pinglin District, Taiwan

Despite being a limited resource, pollution, poor management, and other drivers like climate change make available water unsuitable insufficient for human consumption ecosystem maintenance. Therefore, transdisciplinary approach is needed managing this precious resource. The overall aim of paper to address inequalities improve well-being using an integrated key informant interviews, hydrological modeling, the payment services (PES) scheme in Pinglin District, Taiwan. This site upstream area Feicui Reservoir, which protects downstream tap supply. Key interviews were conducted identify gaps challenges resource management. was followed by scenario-based simulation Water Evaluation Planning (WEAP) tool project future quality year 2050 (using biochemical oxygen demand total coliform content as indicator parameters) trace factors responsible pollution. Survey analysis depicts that facing several challenges, such lack infrastructure, agricultural subsidy, construction restrictions, etc., cumulatively cause scarcity regions. On hand, results show population decline under RCP 8.5 scenario will have enormous negative impact on quality. concentrations BOD E. coli river expand 110.1% 117.3%, respectively, compared 2018. Finally, study suggest PES can play positive role enabling For example small-scale wastewater treatment plant reduce concentration up 90%. While initial cost be taken care government, operation management infrastructure covered people living downstream, who need pay only $0.10 per person. obtained should vital both stakeholders decision-makers region.