Technology-driven adaptation for equitable and resilient water management

As climate change intensifies the hydrological cycle, many river basins are striving to meet increasing water, energy, and food demands driven by population growth and improving living standards. Designing adaptation strategies requires integrated planning approaches to ensure sustainable and equitable water resource allocation, support energy generation and food security, mitigate environmental impacts, and preserve the ecological integrity of river systems. In this talk, we discuss how innovative infrastructure planning and management can enhance the resilience of multisector and multiactor water systems. Drawing on recent projects in the Nile and Zambezi River basins, we evaluate alternatives that combine conventional and emerging technologies, accounting for both physical system dynamics and geopolitical constraints. Our study on the synergies and tradeoffs between hydropower generation and irrigation water supply in the Nile River Basin shows how water supply augmentation in Egypt through a combination of aquaponics, desalination, wastewater reuse, and groundwater extraction could alleviate existing international and sectoral tensions and improve the overall resilience of the river basin. Notably, pilot testing in Egypt showed that water savings in aquaponics systems are around 88% compared to traditional agricultural practices. In another study, we show how the same capital investment earmarked for planned hydropower dams in the Zambezi Watercourse could be used more efficiently by building fewer reservoirs and substituting their generation with floating photovoltaics. This alternative strategy yields an energy output with 12% less variability and enhanced robustness to long-term hydrological changes. Moreover, from the basin-wide perspective, such infrastructure investments and operations can contribute to fostering a more equitable distribution of benefits across riparian countries. These findings show the importance of adopting a systemic approach to identify cost-efficient, climate-resilient, and equitable adaptation strategies.