Abstract:

Evaluation of water poverty is a new angle of view and method to estimate the water resources synthetically.In order to evaluate the present situation of rural water poverty in Hunan Province comprehensively, and find out the effective measures, this paper is based on the theory of water poverty which is the latest foreign theory.We structured water poverty index system of Hunan rural firstly, after that acquired and organized 6 villages data in 3 types of terrain area which is required for water poverty assessment by field investigation and interview.Finally, a nonequilibrium method was applied to calculate the water poverty value in 6 villages, and analyzed its driving factors.The results show that the water poverty in Hunan rural has obvious regional differentiation, implying that the mountain area of the northwest Hunan is the most serious area.Their value of RWPI are both less than 20; while RWPI value in the plain area of northern Dongting Lake is 55-56, stating that their water poverty is weakened clearly.And water poverty degree in hilly area of central Hunan is between above two areas.The comprehensive score of water poverty in each system is different from other regions, in other words, the contribution rate to water poverty assessment is also different.So its the only way that comprehensive score of every system is improved and balanced to reduce the area of water poverty degree effectively.Poor water supply facilities and low capacity of using water are the main driving factors, and the situation of water resources is their secondary driving factors  leading to diverse degree of water poverty in different regions.Rural environmental problems and inefficient utilization of water in Hunan different villages both are short plate or common driving factors of its water poverty assessment.On the one hand, landform types influence the level of regional economic development and the distribution of natural water resources.On the other hand, regional economic development level has effect on its water supply facilities, capacity utilization of water resources, status of the water environment and water use efficiency.Therefore, area water poverty is the result of a complex of regional water resource natural endowment and the development of society and economy.According to the results of evaluation, some suggestions is put forward to lighten rural poverty problem.One is to overcome the natural development of resistance, speed up economic and social development and enhance comprehensive strength of the rural.Another one is to pay attention to environmental problems, do a good job in environmental protection and ensure the safety of rural drinking water.In addition, it is an effective measure as well for mitigating water poverty degree to raise awareness of water conservation and develop watersaving agriculture.All above measures can provide a new idea for water resources management in the new rural construction