Macro, meso, and micro-efficiencies and terminologies in water resources management: a look at urban and agricultural differences

作者：Haie Naim^*; Keller Andrew A

来源：Water International, 2014, 39(1): 35-48.

DOI：10.1080/02508060.2013.863588

• water balance
• irrigation
• pollution
• benefits
• effective consumption
• 3ME
• sefficiency

Efficiency of water resources is essential; just as important is the terminology that describes it. Paradoxes in terminologies used by various international institutions and professionals in the agricultural, urban and environmental domains are examined. Integrated terminologies are proposed, starting from flow-path types in water balance and expanded into the macro, meso, and micro-efficiencies (3ME) formulation. The 3ME is a systemic framework based on the principle of the conservation of mass, integrating water-flow paths of a water system, their beneficial and quality attributes (the usefulness criterion), climate, and two types of water totals. These terminologies, with nine examples for urban (three types) and agricultural areas (rainfed, surface, drip and sprinkler), are used to discuss the 3ME framework and possible flawed policy implications.

• 出版日期2014-1-2