STATISTICAL ASSESSMENT OF SUSTAINABLE WATER USE BASED ON A SYSTEM OF SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL-ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Abstract

The article substantiates the theoretical and methodological foundations of the statistical assessment of sustainable water use based on a system of socio-ecological-economic indicators. The relevance of the study is driven by increasing water stress, deterioration in water quality, growing anthropogenic pressure on aquatic ecosystems, aging water infrastructure, and the need to harmonize the national monitoring system with European approaches to integrated water resources management. It is determined that the current statistical framework in the field of water use does not provide a comprehensive reflection of the social, environmental, and economic consequences of water resource use, which limits the possibilities for complex analysis, interregional and international comparisons, and evidence-based management decisions. The study systematizes the major contemporary threats to sustainable water use, including contamination by emerging pollutants, deterioration of water supply networks, agricultural and industrial pressure, the impact of hydrotechnical construction, extractive activities, and uncontrolled sand mining. The paper proposes an original approach to the classification of sustainable water use indicators by functional orientation, territorial level, scale of coverage, areas of application, and categories of water users. The expediency of using not only basic but also integral indicators is justified, including water stress, water-use efficiency, anthropogenic pressure, balance of water use, and reliability of service provision for secondary water users. It is proved that the implementation of a system of socio-ecological-economic indicators forms the basis for comprehensive statistical monitoring, greater information transparency, risk assessment, support for basin-based management, and the development of an effective state water policy. Prospects for further research are associated with the normalization of indicators, the construction of an integral index of sustainable water use, and the testing of the proposed approach using data from Ukrainian regions and river basins.