Revolutionizing Local Water Governance Indicators: A Combined Fuzzy Delphi and AHP Methodological Framework

Local water governance is fundamental to sustainable rural development and the equitable, efficient management of agricultural water resources. This study identified, validated, and prioritized indicators for assessing local water governance while exploring key challenges and improvement strategies based on expert perspectives. The study population consisted of 22 experts from the Kermanshah Province Agricultural Jihad Organization, the Water and Soil Research Center of Kermanshah Province, and the Departments of Water Engineering and Agricultural Extension and Education at Razi University (Iran). Indicators were extracted through a systematic literature review, refined and validated using the Fuzzy Delphi Method, and prioritized via the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) in Expert Choice software. Results revealed that participation, accountability, and equity were the highest-ranked governance principles, whereas consensus orientation received the lowest weight. At the indicator level, active farmer participation in water-related decision-making, equitable water distribution, and institutional compliance with legal obligations ranked highest, while long-term social interests ranked lowest. The findings underscore that sustainable local water governance transcends legal frameworks and hinges on robust stakeholder engagement, institutional accountability, and equitable resource allocation. • Developed a novel Fuzzy Delphi–AHP hierarchy for prioritizing local water governance indicators with reduced expert bias. • Participation, Accountability, and Equity ranked as top pillars for enhancing local water security. • Farmer participation is critical for policy legitimacy and conflict mitigation in water-stressed regions. • Low ranking of Consensus Orientation reflects fragmented institutions and a clear shift toward pragmatic governance principles. • Findings reveal short-term operational focus, urging integration of long-term, climate-adaptive strategies.