Speakers - AFHWC2025

Abstract

Rural regions in Korea are increasingly confronted with complex challenges in water resources management due to climate change, groundwater depletion, river intermittency, and demographic shifts such as population decline and aging. Agricultural water availability is expected to decrease, while demands from other sectors continue to rise, emphasizing the need for a systematic framework to evaluate water-related social services. This study develops an integrated evaluation framework that combines geospatial analysis and multivariate statistical methods to assess sustainability, equity, and resilience in rural water systems. Data from 19 sub-watersheds of the Daecheong Lake basin (2013–2022), along with nationwide datasets from 507 standard watersheds, were analyzed. Indicators were established for four core domains: water utilization, water safety, carbon neutrality, and hydrophilic environment. Watershed boundaries were delineated using GIS, and water supply and sewage statistics were obtained from WAMIS. Data normalization and standardization were performed, and weights were derived through principal component analysis (PCA) and entropy methods, with PCA selected for its robustness. Results revealed significant spatial disparities. Sub-watersheds such as Boeuncheon and Mujunamdaecheon demonstrated strong performance in water welfare and management, whereas Hotancheon and Hyeonnaecheon exhibited low resilience and equity. At the national scale, the framework effectively identified vulnerable watersheds, providing an evidence-based basis for prioritizing interventions. The proposed framework supports continuous monitoring, targeted improvements, and tailored strategies for rural water governance. These findings offer a scientific foundation for enhancing drought resilience, ensuring stable agricultural water supply, and advancing sustainable water resource management in rural landscapes.