Environmental Risk and Impact Assessment of Inter-Basin Water Transfer (IBWT): A PRISMA-Based Systematic

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 PhD Student in Environmental Engineering and Science, Department of Environmental Planning and Design, Environmental Sciences Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Planning and Design, Environmental Sciences Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

10.22059/jhsci.2026.412856.931

Abstract

Objective: This research aims to systematically analyze the environmental, social, and economic risks and consequences arising from Inter-Basin Water Transfer (IBWT). Its novelty lies in presenting the first PRISMA-based systematic review that simultaneously covers three dimensions: hazards, evaluation criteria, and compensatory measures on a global scale. Despite the widespread use of these projects to compensate for water scarcity, concerns about ecological risks and disruption of basin functions highlight the necessity of this study.
Method: This is a PRISMA-based systematic review, searching reputable databases (Scopus, WoS, ScienceDirect, etc.) from 1980 to 2024. Inclusion criteria: peer-reviewed studies related to IBWT. Exclusion criteria: purely engineering studies and informal reports. From 1,478 initial studies, after screening, 84 credible sources were analyzed.
Results: In developing countries, rapid urban and industrial growth is the main driver of IBWT, while in developed countries, climatic stress is the primary driver. The novel output of this study has three axes: (1) a coherent classification of IBWT consequences in source, destination, and transfer routes (for the first time in a systematic review); (2) the integration of seven axes of mitigation strategies into an operational framework; and (3) identification of the structural weakness of evaluation criteria (lack of precise and enforceable guidelines). In addition to benefits such as ecosystem restoration, land subsidence reduction, and water security enhancement, IBWT is associated with negative consequences including reduced environmental flow, soil salinization, transfer of pollution and diseases, widespread animal mortality, and environmental disasters. The integrated framework presented in this study can serve as a basis for future evaluations and sustainable IBWT policymaking.
Conclusions:Sustainable implementation of IBWT requires risk assessment, transparent governance, compensation for damages, and long-term monitoring. Due to the diverse geographical coverage of the sources (America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia), the integrated framework of this study is generalizable to other regions, but its application requires adaptation to local conditions. "Transparent governance and compensation for damages" are more important in developing countries, while "long-term monitoring and risk assessment" are more important in developed countries.

Keywords

References

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Environmental Management Hazards
Volume 12, Issue 4
January 2026
Pages 367-382

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