Bridging the gap: a new module for human water use in the Community Earth System Model version 2.2.1

Abstract

Abstract. Water scarcity is often triggered by shifting climate patterns as well as rising water usage, yet state-of-the-art Earth system models typically do not represent human water demand. Here we present an enhancement to the Community Earth System Model (CESM) and its land (CLM) and river (MOSART) components by introducing sectoral water abstractions. The new module enables a better understanding of water demand and supply dynamics across various sectors, including domestic, livestock, thermoelectric, manufacturing, mining, and irrigation. The module conserves water by integrating abstractions from the land component with river component flows, and dynamically calculates daily water scarcity based on local demand and supply. Through land-only simulations spanning 1971–2010, we verify our model against known water scarcity hotspots, historical global water withdrawal trends, and regional variations in water use. Our findings reaffirm the role of irrigation in modulating local surface energy fluxes, while emphasizing the importance of including all sectors for water scarcity assessment capabilities. While the model captures global patterns, it also discerns regional nuances, expanding on the conventional focus on irrigation withdrawals in Earth system models (ESMs). Despite its advancements, the model's limitations, such as its exclusive focus on river water abstractions, highlight areas for potential future refinement. This research paves the way for a more holistic representation of human-water interactions in ESMs, aiming to inform sustainable water management decisions in an evolving global landscape.