Multi-criteria data-driven framework for drainage water reuse sustainability

Agricultural drainage water reuse (ADWR) is a critical supplement to water resources amid escalating shortages. However, its sustainability faces complex challenges. This study developed a multi-criterion, data-driven framework incorporating key sustainability criteria such as water quality, water quantity, changes in freshwater salinity, monitoring network, and operational costs to assess ADWR practices. The framework was applied to Egypt’s Eastern Nile Delta using water quality and quantity data from 2018 to 2023. Results identified Hanut reuse station as the most sustainable, while Saft ranked lowest due to its severe effect on freshwater salinity. ADWR increased steadily to 2.602 billion cubic meters annually, with an additional 1.879 billion cubic meters potentially achievable through sustainable mixing practices. Salinity significantly affects long-term reuse viability, emphasizing the need for adopting brackish water desalination. This study offers practical insights into ADWR sustainability, with recommendations to enhance the model’s inclusiveness for sustainability assessments in arid regions and globally.