Water sensitivity assessment framework for an Indian secondary riverine city

A case study of Paonta Sahib

Bibliographic Data

ID21697136
AuthorsMitthan Lal Kansal (0000-0002-4757-1084, a Water Resources Development and Management, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India), Suddhasil Bose (0000-0003-4836-7779, a Water Resources Development and Management, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India), Richard Jairos Kasase (0009-0000-4271-2856, c Environmental Engineer, Singida Water Supply and Sanitation Authority, Singida, Tanzania)
Year2026
Volume28
Issue3
Pages558-576
Publication date2026-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueWater Policy (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1366-7017 • E-ISSN: 1996-9759
PublisherIWA Publishing (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.2166/wp.2026.217
OpenAlexW7136172606
LanguageEN
References cited37

Water sensitivity is progressively recognised as a critical pathway for achieving sustainable and resilient urban water management, particularly in riverine cities where ecological integrity, infrastructure performance and governance effectiveness are tightly interconnected. While the Water-Sensitive Cities Index (WSCI) has been widely applied in metropolitan contexts, its application to smaller and secondary riverine cities remains limited, particularly in developing countries such as India. This study develops and applies a context-specific water sensitivity assessment framework for Paonta Sahib, a secondary riverine city located along the Yamuna River. The framework adapts the WSCI through indicator customisation and integrates quantitative indices with qualitative, stakeholder-driven assessments across four dimensions: society, environment, technology, and governance, represented by 22 indicators. Results indicate an overall WSCI score of 0.41, placing Paonta Sahib in a neutral (moderately sensitive) transition stage. Society (0.58) and technology (0.54) demonstrate relatively stronger performance, while governance (0.37) and environment (0.29) reveal critical deficits. The analysis identifies key opportunities for advancing water sensitivity through nature-based solutions, wastewater reuse, groundwater recharge, circular economy practices and strengthened participatory governance. Finally, this study provides a replicable assessment approach that supports both scholarly evaluation and actionable urban water management strategies in similar contexts

Citizen journalism · Corporate governance · Groundwater · Metropolitan area · Water scarcity · Urban Stormwater Management Solutions · Wastewater Treatment and Reuse · Water Resources and Sustainability

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