Scholarly record
VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT OF WATER SUPPLY IN THE TUNDZHA RIVER BASIN
Abstract
The study aims to analyze the vulnerability of the water supply within the water resources management system of the Tundzha River basin. It evaluates available water resources and the possibilities for their management, with a focus on the hydrological efficiency and economic feasibility of management strategies, as well as the social implications of their implementation. The methodology includes the application of a water resources balance for the entire catchment to assess the correspondence between resources and demands. Using the SIMYL simulation model, the functioning of the system is analyzed under various scenarios reflecting potential reductions in inflows due to climate change, and increasing irrigation demands - the largest water consumer in the basin, with increasing needs during drought conditions. Combined scenarios involving both factors are also examined. The results show that the system is vulnerable due to uneven spatial and seasonal distribution of water resources. During drought periods, increasing irrigation demand leads to water deficits. The analysis enables the identification of vulnerable areas and comparison of management scenarios, providing a basis for future decisions aimed at improving the balance between resources and consumption. The study offers an applicable analytical approach for a comprehensive assessment of vulnerability in a real, multi-component water management system. The results can support water supply operators, local authorit
Publication Impact Profile
Publication details
References10
Loucks D.P., van Beek E., Water Resource Systems Planning and Management, Springer, Netherlands, 2017, ISBN 978-3-319-44233-9, DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-44234-6. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-44234-1
Nitcheva O., Dobreva P., Hristova N., Mileva B., Trenkova T., Using a hydrological model to determine the cause of the water supply crisis for the town of Pernik in Bulgaria, Environmental Earth Sciences, Germany, vol. 80, article 106, 2021, ISSN 1866-6280, DOI: 10.1007/s12665-021-09400-4.
IPCC, Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, Sixth Assessment Report, Working Group II, Switzerland, 2022.
Ministry of Environment and Water, East Aegean River Basin Management Plan, Bulgaria, 2020.
Hashimoto T., Stedinger J.R., Loucks D.P., Reliability, resiliency, and vulnerability criteria for water resource system performance evaluation, Water Resources Research, USA, vol. 18(1), pp. 14�20, 1982, ISSN 0043-1397, DOI: 10.1029/WR018i001p00014.
Jinno K., Kawamura A., Zongxue X., Risk analysis of municipal water supply system, Water Resources Engineering, ASCE, USA, pp. 780�784, 1995, ISBN 9780784401385.
Asefa T., Clayton J., Adams A., Anderson D., Performance evaluation of water resources systems under varying climate conditions, Water Resources Management, Netherlands, vol. 28, pp. 3731�3750, 2014, ISSN 0920-4741, DOI: 10.1007/s11269-014-0714-z.
McMahon T.A., Peel M.C., Lowe L., Srikanthan R., McVicar T.R., Assessing the reliability and vulnerability of water supply systems, Water Resources Research, USA, vol. 42(8), 2006, ISSN 0043-1397, DOI: 10.1029/2005WR004551.
Qi C., Altinakar M., A vulnerability-based approach for drought risk assessment of multipurpose reservoirs, Environmental Modelling & Software, UK, vol. 26(7), pp. 836�843, 2011, ISSN 1364-8152, DOI: 10.1016/j.envsoft.2011.02.013.
Sandoval-Solis S., McKinney D.C., Loucks D.P., Sustainability index for water resources planning and management, Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, USA, vol. 137(5), pp. 381�390, 2011, ISSN 0733-9496, DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)WR.1943-5452.0000126. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)wr.1943-5452.0000134
View or Download full articleAccess options
SWS access login
Login as SWS Scientific CommitteeLogin as SWS Scientific PartnerLogin as SWS AuthorAuthors and approved SWS contributors will read and export their own linked papers after identity matching by SWS profile, email and SGEM GlobalID.
For librarian assistance: [email protected]
Purchase Instant Access
- Article can be downloaded after successful payment.
- Article may be used according to SWS library access terms.
- Article cannot be redistributed.

