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In this tutorial you will learn:
  • How to set your desired condition threshold
  • How to analyze specific locations within a basin
  • How to export your results as .CSV
  • Where to find further guidance   

 

Related tutorials

Aqueduct Water Risk Indicators

How to Use the Analysis Features in the Water Risk Atlas

Tech Note

FAQ

Tutorials

About the Prioritize Basins tab

The Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas offers a powerful tool called "Prioritize Basins" to help you identify areas facing specific water challenges based on customizable risk thresholds and determine the percentage reduction in withdrawals needed to reach a desired end state. Companies can apply the percentage reduction to their footprint to calculate the volumetric reduction they’d need to achieve to ensure they’re doing their part to meet basin-level desired conditions.  This tutorial guides you through using this feature to explore water risk across river basins and pinpoint locations exceeding your desired thresholds.  

 

Exploring Water Risk by Basin

  • Water Risk Indicator: Choose the water risk factor you're interested in analyzing, such as water stress, depletion, or flood risk. Learn more about the Aqueduct Water Risk Indicators.
  • Desired Condition Threshold: This slider allows you to set your strategic goal for reducing or eliminating the chosen water challenge.  
    • The default values represent examples used by the private sector.
    • Adjust the slider based on your ambition or specific needs for each basin (e.g., use stricter water stress thresholds for basins with limited freshwater resources).
  • Map Visualization: The map highlights areas exceeding your desired threshold, indicating potential water challenges.

GIF of Prioritize Basins features

Analyzing Specific Locations

  • Select a location to use the Analysis Service.
  • The analysis will return the following values for your areas of interest:
    • Score: The basin's score for the chosen water risk indicator.
    • Raw Value: The actual measured value for the indicator.
    • Desired Condition: Your set threshold for the indicator.
    • Percentage Change Required: The percentage change needed in withdrawals to reach your desired condition.

 

Understanding the results

Let’s say you get these results for a given location:

  • BWS (Baseline Water Stress) Score: Extremely High (>80%)
  • BWS Raw Value: 96%
  • BWS Desired Condition: 60%
  • BWS % Change Required: 38%

An Extremely High >80% BWS (Baseline Water Stress) Score indicates significant water stress in the specific location. A score above 80% suggests severe competition for water resources, potentially impacting various aspects like agriculture, industry, and human consumption.

A 96% BWS raw value represents the actual water stress level calculated for that location. The higher the value, the more stressed the water resources are. In this case, 96% signifies a very critical situation.

A 60% BWS Desired Condition value reflects your goal or strategic target for reducing water stress in this location, this is the value you select using the slider. Here, 60% indicates a desired future state with less competition for water resources.

A 38% percentage change required for BWS suggests the necessary improvement needed to achieve your desired water stress condition (60%). A 38% reduction in water stress is substantial and would require significant water management interventions.

 

Calculate Your Volumetric Reduction

Companies can use the "Percentage Change Required” to calculate the volumetric reduction they need to achieve to align with the basin's desired condition.

  • For example, a 38% percentage change required for Baseline Water Stress (BWS) suggests the necessary improvement needed to achieve your desired water stress condition (60%). A 38% reduction in water stress is substantial and would require significant water management interventions.
  • To calculate your company's volumetric reduction, apply this percentage to your current water withdrawals in that basin. If your company withdraws 1,000 cubic meters, a 38% reduction would mean reducing withdrawals by 380 cubic meters (1,000 x 0.38).

  • This calculation allows companies to translate the basin-level target into actionable, company-specific reductions.

     

Important Note:

It's important to remember that the Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas provides a large-scale view. While this data offers valuable insights into regional trends, additional factors at the local level might influence water stress. Site-specific data and consultations with local water management experts, as well as engagement with local stakeholders, would be necessary for a more comprehensive understanding of the situation and developing targeted solutions.

Downloading Results

Click the download option to export your analysis results in CSV format for further use.

 

Additional Tips:

  • Explore different water risk indicators and desired condition thresholds to gain a comprehensive understanding of water challenges across various regions.
  • Combine "Prioritize Basins" with other Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas features for a more in-depth analysis (e.g., explore historical data or future projections using the "Water Risk Atlas" tab).

By utilizing the "Prioritize Basins" functionality, you can effectively target water challenges, prioritize your efforts, and make informed decisions related to water management across basins.