Optimal allocation of urban and rural water supply in coastal water shortage cities: The case of Yingkou City

Abstract

AbstractCoastal cities play a significant role in regional economic development and national water resource supply. However, the shortage of water resources in coastal cities has become a bottleneck for sustainable economic, social and ecological development. As a typical coastal city in Liaoning province, China, Yingkou has a relatively developed economy, but faces increasingly serious water shortages. Taking Yingkou as a case study, this study analysed the current situation of urban and rural water supply and conducted a rational estimation of the water supply and demand based on the time series method in the short‐term (2025) and long‐term (2035). Then, the allocation of urban and rural water supply was carried out on the principle of priority use of surface water, sufficient use of diverted water, expanding use of unconventional water and limited use of underground water. To achieve the optimal scheme, the method of ‘allocation‐feedback‐regulation‐reallocation’ was adopted to coordinate the water sources and consumption in different districts and sectors. Overall, the results clarified the red line of water consumption in 2025 and 2035 and defined water consumption and water sources in different sectors and districts. Finally, the water supply and demand balance in Yingkou and its subdistricts was achieved with surplus water rates of 6% and 7% in 2025 and 2035, respectively. Based on these results, suggestions for the sustainable development and utilization of water resources in Yingkou and coastal cities were proposed.