Assessment of water resources use efficiency based on the Russian Federation’s gross regional product water intensity indicator
Assessment of water resources use efficiency based on the Russian Federation’s gross regional product water intensity indicator

Summary/Abstract: The extended representation of the water management problem that is an important component of the supply of resources is vital in an effective regional economy. This article justifies the importance of such a representation through the lens of the paired strategizing of the water resource system and regional economic development. The authors’ purpose is to analyse the rationality of the usage of water resources inconjunction with regional socio-economic development indicators, by applying tools that allow grouping based on the existing trends inwater consumption. The article studies the importance of the effective management of the allocation of scarce water resources among users. It also examines the rationality of their usage in the context of optimising resource usage, and the high variations across areas based on the potential of the resource components, as well as the dynamic socio-economic indicators. The theoretical framework of the rational water usage paradigm comprises a set of interrelated concepts and theories, such as the theory of economic growth, as well as theories and concepts of regional development, particularly regional resource management, considering the parameters of current and proposed mesoeconomic policies in combination with the basin approach for the allocation of water resources. It has been shown that the gross regional product (GRP) water intensity indicator is one of the important criteria in assessing the rational usage of territorial water resources. The authors’ hypothesis is that regional peculiarities in the tendencies of GRP water intensity indicator changes allow not only to define the current situation pertaining to water use, but also to determine the direction of the control actions to increase its efficiency. In the study, this hypothesis is confirmed. Unlike other existing approaches and models which are oriented chiefly towards the identification of scarce water resource allocation options in accordance with the standards of water use, this article implements an approach to the assessment of the efficiency ofwater usage as a strategic resource for socio-economic development at the regional level. Based on the analysis of the GRP water intensity indicator and the problematic nature of region grouping from the standpoint of rational waterusage, regions are identified. The results canserve as a guide for designing regional development strategies.

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