Basic Theory And Empirical Study Of Water Resources Carrying Capacity

Study on the carrying capacity of water resources domestically and abroad is still in a stage of exploration and need to be improved largely; theoretical methods recognized and widely used can be applied. Especially, in the areas of water scarcity, water resources are the major control parameter for the socio-economic development. In order to achieve the sustainable development and the harmonization among population, socio-economic and ecological environment, the research on the carrying capacity of water resources need to be put in place unquestionable. Currently, the research on how to dig out economical potential in an area within its carrying capacity of water resources becomes a hotspot.Chaoyang city, Liaoning province, as an example, is taken into this study. According to the water conditions and its utilizations, three methods are used to analyze and calculate its carrying capacity of water resources, based on the prediction of economic development and water demand. Method 1: The evaluation index system. The evaluation index system for the main load-bearing capacity, the object and main-object coupled was built based on different carrying capacities. The water carrying capacity for population, socio-economic development and ecological environment was educed by calculations of population and GDP in critical years. Then, the stage of the socio-economic development was discovered in terms of the calculation of the carrying capacity of water resources. Method 2: combination of the carrying capacity and the allocation of water resources. The model of pressure - state– response was built rooted on Water Configuration of "Three Balances"; the model parameters include overloaded population, GDP and ecological area which are used to evaluate the carrying capacity of water resources in this area. In addition, some ways are used to increase water supply, such as water reduction and pollution control, groundwater exploration and water transfer inter-regionally. Method 3: Establish models and programmes suitable for Dalinghe's water resources allocation. In terms of the results of water allocation in this area, its carrying capacity of water resources is calculated using model of pressure - state– response.In terms of characteristics of relative limits of carrying capacity of water resources, the issues on the carrying capacity recommended of local and external water in Changyang city were put forward. The population carried in 2010, 2020 and 2030 is 560,000, 495,000, 588,000, 1,147,000, 858,000 and 929,000, respectively; correspondingly, GDP is 80.5, 17.64, 39.52, 16.49, 30.52 and 62.53 (unit: billion Yuan). GDP (per capita) is approach to a modernized level. Integrating the status and tendency of socio-economic development in Chaoyang city, three factors built on the concept of circular economy might be considered to enhance its carrying capacity of water resources, as follows: (1) Adjusting the industrial structure, restricting the development of industries with high demanded water and controlling economic development. (2) Enhancing the efficiency of water use. (3)To some extent, enlarging the scale of water supply locally, water transfer inter-regionally and water reuse.