I want to have a PhD level research on "Quantitative Framework to measure Circular Economy of water in the context of Urban India". As a part of the research I have to classify the surface water source for water supply for a ULB how much circular or linear it is. In my view Sustainable production of water means ensuring that the source of water is replenished, and that extraction does not negatively impact the environment or downstream users. I have drafted a framewrok for this. But my guide tells that 1) I can not mention the points because the points I have mentioned are very subjective. 2) What is the basis for these points. 3) On what basis based on which the range of classification of circularity has been categorised? 4) My guide says that an indicator should be robust. I know that to answer him, I have to collect this scoring from large number of experts and combine. But here are so many parameters that it is quite difficult for get consent from so many experts. Is there any other approach for this?
Surface Water Source Circularity Assessment
Comprehensive Yet Practical Framework for ULBs
1. Source Reliability Assessment (25 points)
Question: Has the surface water source consistently met the ULB's water demand throughout the year, including peak summer months?
 1.1 Water availability during peak summer months (10 points)
•	Full supply throughout year (10 points)
•	Partial supply with minor restrictions (7 points)
•	Significant supply cuts needed (5 points)
•	Source dried up (0 points)
 1.2 Historical Drought Impact (7 points)
Based on last 5 years' records:
•	No water shortage incidents (7 points)
•	1-2 shortage incidents, managed with minor restrictions (5 points)
•	3-4 shortage incidents requiring major restrictions (3 points)
•	Annual shortage incidents/chronic scarcity (0 points)
 1.3 Climate Event Resilience (5 points)
Based on source performance during extreme events:
•	Maintained supply during extreme events (5 points)
•	Short disruptions during extreme events (3 points)
•	Extended disruptions during extreme events (2 points)
•	Complete failure during extreme events (0 points)
1.4 Visible flow in water body (10 points):
•	  Strong flow visible year-round (10 points)
•	  Moderate flow visible year-round (7 points)
•	  Low flow in dry season but continuous (4 points)
•	  Stagnant water in dry season (1 points)
•	  Dry bed visible in summer (0 points)
2. Source Quality Assessment (30 points)
Question: What is the treatability of raw water based on existing treatment plant performance?
 2.1 Treatment Plant Performance (10 points)
•	Normal operation year-round (10 points)
•	Seasonal challenges, manageable (7 points)
•	Frequent treatment adjustments needed (3 points)
•	Regular treatment failures (0 points)
2.2 Raw water quality indicators (10 points):
•	  Clear water year-round (10 points)
•	  Occasional seasonal turbidity issues (7 points)
•	  Regular turbidity issues (4 points)
•	  Visible pollution (1 points)
•	  Severe pollution with odour (0 points)
2.3 Biological Quality Indicators (5 points)
Based on existing water quality testing:
•	No biological contamination issues (5 points)
•	Seasonal coliform presence, treatable (3 points)
•	Regular biological contamination issues (1 points)
•	Severe contamination affecting treatment (0 points)
2.4 Algal Bloom Impact (5 points)
•	No algal blooms observed (5 points)
•	Occasional blooms, manageable impact (3 points)
•	Regular seasonal blooms affecting treatment (1 points)
•	Severe blooms disrupting supply (0 points)
 3. Source Protection Status (20 points)
Question: What is the current status of source protection based on visible conditions?
 3.1 Physical Protection (10 points)
•	Well-protected banks with vegetation (10 points)
•	Partially protected banks (7 points)
•	Eroding banks (3 points)
•	Severely eroded or collapsing banks (0 points)
 3.2 Immediate upstream conditions (10 points):
•	No visible pollution sources (10 points)
•	Minor pollution sources, manageable (7 points)
•	Significant pollution sources (example: Dense settlements with visible sanitation issues) (3 points)
•	Severe pollution affecting quality (example Direct sewage/waste disposal visible) (0 points)
4 Downstream Impact Assessment (25 points)
4.1 Visual Flow Assessment (10 points)
Observe flow conditions 1-2 km downstream of withdrawal point:
•	Strong visible flow maintained throughout year (10 points)
•	Moderate flow visible year-round (8 points)
•	Noticeably reduced flow in dry season (5 points)
•	Very low/stagnant water in dry season (2 points)
•	Dry riverbed sections visible (0 points)
4.2 Downstream Usage Impact (15 points)
Based on visible downstream activities within 2-3 km:
Observe presence and functioning of:
•	Fishing activities
•	Agricultural water extraction
•	Cattle washing/drinking
•	Religious activities
•	Other community uses
Scoring:
•	All existing downstream activities continuing normally (15 points)
•	Most activities continuing with some adjustments (10 points)
•	Several activities noticeably affected (5 points)
•	Most activities severely impacted or abandoned (0 points)
Circularity Classification:
High Circularity (80-100 points)
Moderate Circularity (60-79 points)
Low Circularity (40-59 points)
Poor Circularity (<40 points)