Sustainability Research Highlights Water Scarcity Challenges in Yellow River Basin

Research conducted by investigators at Northwest A&F University has shed light on the pressing issue of water scarcity in the Yellow River Basin, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions where agricultural production and food security are vulnerable to water deficits. The study found that inter-basin water transfer projects, reclaimed water utilization, and improvements in irrigation efficiency are essential strategies to balance competing demands for water resources while safeguarding agricultural sustainability. The investigation revealed that despite the rapid expansion of inter-basin water transfer projects since 2010, their net impact at the basin scale has been negative, exacerbating water scarcity. However, reclaimed water utilization has contributed to a 3% reduction in water scarcity by 2020, and future projections indicate that a 15.2% reduction is achievable through integrated strategies.

Key Takeaways:

• The Yellow River Basin in China is particularly affected by water scarcity, driven by rapid socio-economic development and climate change.
• Integrated strategies, such as inter-basin water transfer projects, reclaimed water utilization, and improvements in irrigation efficiency, are essential to balance competing demands for water resources while safeguarding agricultural sustainability.
• Despite the rapid expansion of inter-basin water transfer projects since 2010, their net impact at the basin scale has been negative, exacerbating water scarcity.
• Reclaimed water utilization has contributed to a 3% reduction in water scarcity by 2020.
• A 15.2% reduction in water scarcity is achievable through integrated strategies, with improved irrigation efficiency serving as the most effective measure.
• The study underscored the critical role of agricultural water use efficiency and multi-resource synergies in mitigating water scarcity and ensuring food security.
• Inter-basin water transfer projects contribute least to overall reduction (1.7%), but play a critical role in addressing regional inequality of water scarcity.

Statistics:

• 1.1 km^3: Water exports from the Yellow River Basin in 2020 (negative net impact)
• 0.4 km^3: Water imports to the Yellow River Basin in 2020 (positive net impact)
• -0.7 km^3: Net deficit in water resources in the Yellow River Basin in 2020
• 3%: Contribution of reclaimed water utilization to water scarcity reduction by 2020
• 15.2%: Projected reduction in water scarcity achievable through integrated strategies by the 2030s
• 8.5%: Contribution of improved irrigation efficiency to water scarcity reduction by the 2030s
• 5%: Contribution of reclaimed water utilization to water scarcity reduction by the 2030s

Sources:

• Investigators, Integrated strategies for water sustainability in the Yellow River Basin: Roles of water transfer, reclaimed water, and irrigation efficiency. Agricultural Water Management, 2025, 318():109694. (Elsevier)
• NewsRx, "Northwest A&F University Researchers Highlight Research in Sustainability Research (Integrated strategies for water sustainability in the Yellow River Basin: Roles of water transfer, reclaimed water, and irrigation efficiency)", Ecology, Environment & Conservation, September 12, 2025, p 265.