Remote Sensing and Geospatial Models to Simulate Land Use and Land Cover and Estimate Water Supply and Demand for Water Balancing in Phuket Island, Thailand

Abstract

Currently, Phuket Island is facing water scarcity because water demand for consumption was approximately 51 million m3/year, whereas water supply was only about 46 million m3/year. Thus, the study of water supply, demand and balancing are important for effective water resources management. This study aims to simulate the LULC data using the CLUE-S model, estimate water supply using the SWAT model, and calculate water demand using a water footprint basis for water balancing on the Island. In addition, tourist water demand was separately estimated under normal and new normal conditions (COVID-19 pandemic) to fit with the actual situation at national and international levels. Water balance results with the consideration of ecological water requirements suggest that a water deficit occurs every year under the dry year scenario in normal and new normal conditions. In addition, the monthly water balance indicates that a water deficit occurs in the summer season every year, both without and with the consideration of ecological water requirements. Consequently, it can be concluded that remote sensing data with advanced geospatial models can provide essential information about water supply, demand, and balance for water resources management, particularly water scarcity, in Phuket Island in the future. Additionally, this study’s conceptual framework and research workflows can assist government agencies in examining water deficits in other areas.

Keywords

• geospatial models
• land use and land cover
• water supply
• water demand
• water balance
• Phuket Island