Abstract
Water is a vital resource with fundamental economic and social functions and constitutes an essential human need. Iran, with an average annual precipitation of approximately 250 mm—less than one-third of the global average—is located within the world’s arid and semi-arid regions. Poor water resources management is considered one of the major constraints on sustainable development in the country. This study investigates the role of water resources management in enhancing the economic resilience of rural areas. This study is applied and adopts a descriptive–analytical approach. Data were collected from six peri-urban villages surrounding the city of Zanjan through documentary review and field surveys. Data were collected from six peri-urban villages surrounding the city of Zanjan through documentary research and field surveys. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were employed for data analysis, including the one-sample t test, the Kruskal–Wallis test, and structural equation modeling (SEM) implemented in AMOS. The results indicate that both water resources management (t = −17.21) and economic resilience (t = −12.40) are at suboptimal levels. Analysis of differences among water management indicators reveals that the largest disparities are associated with “economy and investment” and “participation in decision-making and policymaking,” with test statistics of −26.27 and −25.35, respectively. The results of the Kruskal–Wallis test indicate that there are significant differences among the villages. The Kruskal–Wallis statistic was 33.325 with a significance level of 0.000, which confirms the existence of statistically significant differences in water resource management at the 99% confidence level. Furthermore, policymaking and regulatory frameworks in water management, provision of financial facilities and credit, infrastructure development, farm management, maintenance of water facilities, technical management, and the application of modern technologies significantly contribute to strengthening the economic resilience of the rural communities under study.
Keywords: water resources management; sustainable development; resilience; peri-urban villages; Zanjan Province

Extended Abstract
Introduction
Water is a scarce socio-economic resource and a fundamental human necessity. Iran is located in the world’s arid and semi-arid belt. With an average annual precipitation of about 250 mm—less than one-third of the global average—and inefficient water resources management, the country faces serious constraints to sustainable development. Previous studies indicate that Iran will be among the countries experiencing severe water stress in the near future. At present, the significant imbalance between water consumption and renewable resources, aggravated by overextraction of groundwater, has resulted in a national water deficit of approximately 90 billion cubic meters. These conditions have led to widespread water shortages across the country. Given these challenges, adopting effective water management strategies is essential for addressing problems associated with declining water quantity and quality. The central question of this research is: What is the relationship between water resources management and rural economic resilience? Accordingly, the objective of this study is to assess the role of water resources management in improving economic resilience in order to support the economies of peri-urban villages surrounding the city of Zanjan.
Methodology
This study is applied and adopts a descriptive–analytical approach.the statistical population consists of 2,254 households residing in six peri-urban villages around Zanjan. Using Cochran’s formula, a sample of 328 households—specifically farmers and orchardists—was selected through systematic proportional allocation. Data were collected through documentary research and field surveys using structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and inferential analyses, including the one-sample t test, the Kruskal–Wallis test, and structural equation modeling (SEM) using SPSS and AMOS software, were employed to analyze the data and test the research hypotheses.
Results and Discussion
The findings indicate that both water resources management (mean = 2.43) and economic resilience (mean = 2.62) in the studied peri-urban villages are below the desired levels based on the adopted measurement scale. This suggests that current water management practices are insufficient to fully support the economic stability and adaptability of these rural communities. Furthermore, significant differences in the level of water resources management were observed among the villages. Among the six villages studied, Dizaj-Abad exhibited the highest mean rank of 211.61, indicating relatively better water management practices and higher capacity to cope with economic challenges. In contrast, Panbeh Jogh had the lowest mean rank of 102.55, reflecting substantial deficiencies in local water management and limited resilience to economic stressors. These disparities highlight the uneven distribution of water management infrastructure, investment, and community participation across the region. Villages with higher ranks tend to have better access to financial facilities, improved irrigation systems, and more active involvement of residents in decision-making processes. On the other hand, villages with lower ranks may suffer from inadequate infrastructure, limited technical management, and lower engagement of local stakeholders, which exacerbate vulnerability to economic shocks. The observed differences underscore the critical role of local governance, resource allocation, and participatory management in enhancing economic resilience. These findings are consistent with previous studies indicating that efficient water resources management is a key determinant of rural communities’ capacity to adapt to environmental and economic challenges.
Conclusion
Results from structural equation modeling demonstrate that water resources management exerts a significant positive effect (standardized path coefficient = 0.86) on the economic resilience of the studied villages. All regression weights (factor loadings) in the measurement model are positive and statistically significant (p < 0.05). In addition, all Critical Ratio (C.R.) values exceed 1.96, confirming the statistical significance of the estimated relationships. the findings demonstrate that water resources management significantly influences the economic resilience of peri-urban villages surrounding Zanjan. Both water management and economic resilience are currently below optimal levels, with considerable variation among villages. Effective policies, investment in infrastructure, technical management, and the adoption of modern technologies play crucial roles in enhancing rural economic stability. These findings underscore the importance of participatory decision-making and strategic investment in water-related resources. While the study is limited to six villages, it provides actionable insights for policymakers and stakeholders seeking to improve water management practices and strengthen rural livelihoods in similar arid and semi-arid contexts.