Water conservation can reduce future water-energy-food-environment trade-offs in a medium-sized African river basin

The need for achieving efficient and sustainable use of water resources is pressing, however, this often requires better understanding the potential conservation, taking into account impact on return flows, costs in relation to sectoral benefits. Using modelling limited observational data we explore savings 24 combinations conservation measures Rufiji basin, Tanzania. We compare these with estimates value such could generate from three important economic sectors; agriculture, energy downstream ecosystems high tourism potential. cost (median: 0.07 USD m−3) found be: higher than most uses agriculture (growing crops expanded irrigation sites) median hydropower generation (from a new mega dam currently under construction); lower ecosystem value. Nevertheless, our assumptions, volume additional required supply planned expansion basin be reduced by 1.5 BCM using methods that would financially viable, given competing water. Water magnitude reduce trade-offs between services, allowing peak environmental flow releases even dry years, without reducing firm generation. This methodology transferable relevant producing realistic assessments financial incentives long-term other uses. With reservoirs now being built multiple purposes improved different sectors functions needed.