An Overview of Inter-basin Water Transfer Projects in the World and Its Impact on Environmental, Economic and Social Factors

Uneven spatial and temporal distribution of water, imbalances between water supply and demand (especially increased water demand due to limited water resources), and high water losses in urban and agricultural water systems have complicated the management of large-scale water resources. Therefore, proper control and use of available water resources are essential. Water transfer between basins is an example of the solutions used to address water scarcity, especially in the drinking water sector in arid regions and countries. Hence, it has created various challenges for the sustainable management of basins. The present study, by examining the specifications of 4 inter-basin water transfer projects at the international level, in order to increase awareness about the environmental, economic, and social effects of these projects. The results showed that inter-basin water transfer schemes directly affect the management of the source and destination basin and although in the short term will reduce water shortage problems in the destination basin, in the long term It weakens the environmental, economic, and social conditions in one of the two basins. This issue is especially evident in arid and semi-arid countries where water transfer projects are carried out with the aim of supplying drinking water, agriculture, and industry. For this purpose, it is necessary to apply UNESCO criteria in the implementation of water transfer projects between basins.