Multi-criteria Decision Making for Integrated Urban Water Management

The city of Zahedan, in South-eastern Iran, has high population growth, limited local freshwater resources and inadequate water distribution system resulting in water supply failures in recent years. This paper will investigate integration of several demand management measures such as leakage detection on water distribution network, water metering and low volume water fixtures as well as the conjunctive use of surface and groundwater resources of this city. For integration of water management criteria, compromise programming will be used as a multi-objective decision making method. The criteria include minimizing the cost, maximizing water supply and minimizing the social hazards due to the water supply operations. This model will derive optimum long-term plans for implementation of water resources. The results will show that demand management can delay a water transfer project for Zahedan city up to 10 years. Compromise programming is as an efficient tool for integrated water resources management in urban areas and the method is capable to being used by decision-makers in other cases.     

Decision Making Tool for Sustainable Water Sharing

This paper explores the possibility of using a calibrated rainfall-runoff model as a decision-making tool in sustainable water sharing. Designing institutional arrangements for runoff sharing process in the case of a sub-catchment spread across geopolitical boundary is challenging. For the water sharing arrangement to be sustainable, it must be founded on realistic runoff predictions. The climate uncertainties make the water sharing process more complex and complicated. This context warrants a decision-making tool for helping the water sharing policy makers and its managers in taking a decision. In this study, a decision-making tool for sharing the waters of Parambikulam sub-catchment in Southern Peninsular India is developed. RRL (Rainfall-Runoff Library), RAP (River Analysis Package) and SCL (Stochastic Climate Library) of eWater toolkit are used for developing this tool. In the decision making, it also incorporates the runoff change prediction portrayed in India’s second national communication to UNFCC. The existing institutional arrangement for water sharing of this sub-catchment is revisited in the light of findings of this study. Paper is concluded by explaining how it is useful in synthesizing a range of options on designing a new water sharing paradigm for this sub-catchment.     

Regional Water Balance and Economic Assessment as Tools for Water Management in Coastal Lebanon

The Lebanese coast is highly subject to seawater intrusion and groundwater deterioration. The study is carried out in Byblos district (Jbeil Caza) 35 km north of Beirut. It aims to investigate the seawater intrusion, to determine the regional water balance of the region and finally to estimate the economic value of that water for agricultural use. The monitoring of the aquifer was achieved through samples from different wells chosen randomly. As for the regional water balance, it was determined with use of a GIS model. The economic evaluation was carried out, using the contingent valuation method to estimate the willingness to pay of farmers to contribute to the improvement of groundwater quality; two alternative scenarios were proposed and compared with the current situation. The annual regional water balance is positive, which means that the region is rich in water. The monitoring results show that the coastal part of the region is slightly contaminated by seawater intrusion due to the excess of pumping from the aquifer. The economic evaluation estimated that farmers would contribute by 102 US$ yr^− 1 for the first proposal and 166.67 US$ yr^− 1 for the second.     

引水工程运行管理决策支持系统设计与实现

引水工程是我国水资源战略调配的重要举措,在我国水资源调配已经或将发挥重要作用,引水工程的信息化建设将促进和提高引水工程运行管理水平。在分析引水工程特点及其运行管理需求的基础上,应用先进的信息采集、通信网络、空间和计算机控制处理技术,对引水工程运行调度管理决策支持系统进行分析设计,以吉林省引嫩入白引水工程为例,进行应用实践。通过应用表明,该系统运行稳定,界面友好,提升了引水工程水利信息化水平,充分发挥了引水工程的效益。     

Application of Multi-Criterion Decision Making Analysis to Integrated Water Resources Management

In the context of integrated water resources management (IWRM), account should be taken of a wide range of factors including economic, social and environmental issues. Multi-criterion decision making (MCDM) approaches are applied to the case study in this paper to integrate different objectives into the planning, management and decision making process. A variety of criteria in terms of economic, social and environmental dimensions are identified and formulated for the purpose of MCDM analysis. A set of different management scenarios is proposed for the desired goals. They include reductions in irrigated areas, improved irrigation efficiencies, increased system loss for groundwater irrigation and changes in cropping pattern. An integrated water resources optimisation model (IWRO) is used to optimise surface and groundwater allocation, through which the identified criteria can be enumerated. Compromise programming (CP), which results in a compromise solution located as close as possible to an ideal solution, is adopted to carry out the MCDM analysis for the case study. The sensitivity of different sets of weights and different values of parameters related to CP is investigated. Results indicate that compromise programming is able to lead to satisfactory solutions. Performance of different alternatives is evaluated based on the compromise programming analysis, and potential decisional alternatives are proposed for further investigation.     

Product Policy as an Instrument for Water Quality Management

A main reason for the persistence of current water pollution lies in the diffuse character of many of its sources. For a large part such diffuse pollution is related to the production, use and waste of various kinds of products. For the reduction of this pollution, a product-oriented policy strategy, based on interaction with stakeholders could be more successful than the traditional measures of direct regulation that were devised for point source reduction. In this article we identify different types of product policy, and explore the potential benefits and costs for water quality management. The methods that can be used in a product policy approach are illustrated with some examples. Although the specific advantages for water quality management have not been quantified yet, governments increasingly recognise the potential positive effects. In this context, the European Water Framework Directive, in stimulating product policy by enhancing public and stakeholders participation, can be considered to be part of a general development towards interactive water management.     

Comparison of Compensatory and non-Compensatory Multi Criteria Decision Making Models in Water Resources Strategic Management

Growing water demands as well as inconsistency between water demand and water supply pose new challenges for water resources managers in arid regions. This study examines the strategies to tackle water shortage for a sustainable development in Shahrood, Iran. A contentious plan has been proposed to transfer water from the Caspian Sea in north of Iran to this region. Ensuring sustainable development, however, necessitates a strategic planning for water resources. The study develops all viable strategies for the region using Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis. Due to inability of the SWOT model to rank the alternatives, the developed strategies are ranked using Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) models based on specified sustainable development criteria. The ranking is implemented using the compensatory models of Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), and the non-compensatory model of ELimination and Choice Translating REality (ELECTRE III). The results of all MCDM models introduce water transfer as the worst strategy for the region. Because of the uncertainty in the relative importance of specified criteria, sensitivity analysis is done for MCDM models by altering the criteria weights. The results show that the ELECTRE III method has lower sensitivity than the SAW and AHP methods to changes in the weights. Also, the compensatory methods exhibits a high dependency to the weights of some dominant criteria. Therefore, this research reveals that the rankings obtained from the ELECTRE III method are more reliable for decision makers to ensure a sustainable development in the region.     

Techno-political Decision Making for Water Resources Development: The Jordan River Watershed

Discussions on water resources development generally focus on a variety of techn ical options, often without considering the potential political repercussions of each option. This paper incorporates both technical and political considerations in a 'technopolitical' decision-making framework. Water resources developm ent alternatives are then examined to evalu ate their respective priorities for development in Israel, Palestine and Jordan, which are the major riparians of the Jordan River. Particular account is taken of the Middle East peace negotiations, and consequent political changes. Each proposal is designed to provide incentives for sharing resources and benefits among the riparian states.     

Research on Simulated Optimal Decision Making for a Regional Water Resources System

A rational exploitation policy for regional water resources is a fundamental condition for sustainable development of the regional economy and eco-environment. Faced with global change, rapid economic growth and population explosion, research on optimal decision making for a regional water resources system becomes much more important than ever before, especially in China today. In this paper, the plain area of Hanzhong Basin is used as a case study. Through systematic analysis of the regional water resources system, a system dynamics (SD) model is established. Based on the SD model, different exploitation scenarios are set up, and the optimal scenario and related exploitation policy are determined by multiscenario-multiobjective appraisal. The modelling and analysis methodology can be shared in other regions as well.     

A Sustainable Decision Support Framework for Urban Water Management

This paper develops a decision support framework that assists managers in the urban water industry to analyse a mix of water service options, at the whole-of-city scale. The decision support framework moves decision-making in urban water systems from traditional command and control approaches that tend to focus on an outcome at a point in time to a more sustainable, inclusive and dynamic decision-making process driven by social learning and engagement. While available models and evaluation techniques provide valuable input to decision-making, the complex nature of urban water systems requires more than just social and economic criteria to be considered as part of decision support frameworks. The authors believe that current decision support frameworks need to be presented in a way that incorporates adaptive management and integrated urban water management strengths at the strategic and operational level. The inclusion of social learning and engagement is necessary to achieving this end.     

GIS and Multi-Criteria Evaluation: Robust Tools for Integrated Water Resources Management

Abstract

Integrated water resources planning and management are considered very complex issues. These issues are usually addressed through the multi-sectoral, interdisciplinary and hierarchal decomposition approaches. In general, integrated resource management indicates the consideration of water, social, socio-economic, economic and environmental issues. The current study aims at merging the GIS and Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE) techniques for the integrated water resource management of a cropped area. An area of about 120,000 Hectares located in the Northern Nile River Delta area with a coastal zone on the Mediterranean was selected and GIS was applied to represent the area's different environment, social, economic, and water factors. Different randomization cropping pattern distribution scenarios were proposed. Through the merging of GIS and MCE approaches, three scenarios were run and evaluated at three different levels: farm, canal catchment area and whole area. This merging resulted in a very powerful tool for the evaluation of different plans. The merging of GIS and MCE really facilitated the decision making process for these types of integrated water management problems.     

Suitability of Water Quality Indices for Application in Lakes in the Mediterranean

Water quality indices (WQIs) are efficient and powerful tools for evaluating, organising and communicating information on the overall quality of surface water bodies. The use of these indices may be very helpful in evaluating the water quality of aquatic systems in relation to the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). In this study, two well-known water quality indices have been selected for evaluation: the CCME (Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment) and NSF (National Sanitation Foundation). These WQIs were applied in the Polyphytos reservoir-Aliakmon river in Greece where monthly water quality data were available for the period June 2004 to May 2005. The available dataset included values of the following parameters: water depth, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, pH, transparency (Secchi disk depth), BOD₅, COD, total phosphorus (TP), chlorophyll-a (Chl-a), ammonium (NH₄ ⁺), nitrite (NO₂ ^?) and nitrate (NO₃ ^?), and total Κjeldahl nitrogen (TKN). The application of the two WQIs was made using specialised, freely available software-tools. A comparison of their performance and a qualitative judgement on their suitability on expressing the quality of a surface water body is presented. The classification results were compared with those obtained by the WFD-ECOFRAME approach of the EU. Based on the applicability and drawbacks of the examined indices, useful conclusions were derived and discussed. Among others, it is concluded that the NSF-WQI is a more robust index and produces a classification nearer that of the WFD-ECOFRAME approach when compared to the CCME-WQI.     

Integration of Reservoir Volume Estimates into Water Resources Decision Making

Abstract

Engineers have long sought a tool that would improve the reliability of planning estimates for water storage volumes, especially under tight financial constraints. Three tributaries on a desert wadi in Jordan were investigated to learn about the possibility of groundwater artificial recharge using flood water retention structures. For each tributary, calculations were made without the assistance of surveying equipment and manpower to present to the authorities for a rapid decision to proceed with preliminary and final design of such water storage structures. Each tributary was visually observed and rough measurements taken to estimate lake volumes of dikes at different heights, ranging from 2 m to 10 m. The resulting volumes were calculated based on differing slopes of dike sides and effective lengths of profiles. These planning level estimates were presented to government decision makers and were subsequently compared to exact volume calculations from detailed topographical surveys. The percentage difference between planning and final volume calculations ranged from one to fifteen percent. In addition to the obvious conclusions that final volume calculations are more reliable, and that any planning level estimates must be done carefully, the following finding appears valid: under strict financial constraints that developing countries like Jordan are experiencing and under certain assumptions, planning level estimates can be used as an initial tool to estimate water storage volumes for small dikes with acceptable accuracy.     

Hydrology of the Jordan River Basin: A GIS-Based System to Better Guide Water Resources Management and Decision Making

A new method of participatory decision support that can be used in transboundary basins is presented. The framework of this method relies first on the creation of a transboundary geographic information system database to store hydrologic data and allow easy access to data from stakeholders. A participatory hydro-political framework is developed to help set up hydrologic models and evaluate joint water management scenarios. Results show that the countries of the Jordan River could benefit from the framework and in the case of southern Lebanon, six climate stations should be replaced or reactivated. Finally, the mechanism of a Lebanese Hydrologic Information System is presented and shows that an observation data model will facilitate science and policy integration.     

公众参与水利工程决策浅议

江西省南丰县某水库发生的一起纠纷,说明公众参与水利工程决策是必要的。借鉴国内外公众参与的经验,提出我国公众参与水利工程决策的建议:建立健全政府管理体制;加强法律意识、转变观念;加强公众对水利工程常识的了解,提高公众参与水利工程决策的能力与质量;建立一个开放的与工程相关的信息渠道;建立健全公众参与水利工程决策的法律、法规等。     

A Multi-Criteria Group Decision Making Methodology Using Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Sets: Application to Water Resources Management

In this paper, a new fuzzy group decision-making methodology which determines and incorporates negotiation powers of decision makers is developed. The proposed method is based on a combination of interval type-2 fuzzy sets and a multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) model, namely TOPSIS. To examine the applicability of the proposed methodology, it is used for finding the best scenario of allocating water and reclaimed wastewater to domestic, agricultural, and industrial water sectors and restoring groundwater quantity and quality in the Varamin region located in Tehran metropolitan area in Iran. The results show that the selected scenario leads to an acceptable groundwater conservation level during a long-term planning horizon. Although the capital cost of this scenario is high, which leads to groundwater restoration during the 34-year planning horizon, it is determined as the best allocation scenario. This scenario also entails the second least pumping cost, due to less water allocation from the groundwater. To evaluate the results of the proposed methodology, they are compared with those obtained using some well-known interval type-2 decision-making approaches including arithmetic-based, TOPSIS-based, and likelihood-based comparison methods. The Spearman correlation coefficient shows that the obtained results generally concur with those of the other methods. It is also concluded that the proposed methodology gives more reasonable results by calculating and considering the negotiation powers of decision makers in an extended TOPSIS-based group decision-making model.

     

Multicriteria Decision Support System for Regionalization of Integrated Water Resources Management

Successful implementation of integrated water resources planning and management (IWRM) requires delineation of regions that are relatively homogeneous with respect to multiple criteria, including hydrographic, physical-environmental, socioeconomic, and political-administrative aspects. The water resources planning and management (WARPLAM) DSS is presented as tool for regionalization in support of IWRM through: (1) GIS processing of spatial data related to multiple criteria for defining the homogeneity of clustered base units (e.g., catchments) with respect to multiple criteria; (2) application of fuzzy set theory to development of composite measures of homogeneity over all criteria for alternative clustering of adjacent base units; and (3) development of a modified dynamic programming clustering algorithm that guarantees consistent optimal solutions based on user preferences on the relative importance of the suite of criteria considered for regionalization. The viability of WARPLAM DSS as a tool for regional delineation in support of IWRM is demonstrated through a case study application to the Tocantins-Araguaia River Basin, the second largest in Brazil.     

A Neurofuzzy Decision Framework for the Management of Water Distribution Networks

Among the most important components of sustainable management strategies for water distribution networks is the ability to integrate risk analysis and asset management decision-support systems (DSS), as well as the ability to incorporate in the analysis financial and socio-political parameters that are associated with the networks in study. Presented herein is a neurofuzzy decision-support system for the performance of multi-factored risk-of-failure analysis and pipe asset management, as applied to urban water distribution networks. The study is based on two datasets (one from New York City and the other from the city of Limassol, Cyprus), analytical and numerical methods, and artificial intelligence techniques (artificial neural networks and fuzzy logic) that capture the underlying knowledge and transform the patterns of the network’s behaviour into a knowledge-repository and a DSS.     

A Fuzzy Group Decision Making Framework Based on ISM-FANP-FTOPSIS for Evaluating Watershed Management Strategies

Water Resources Management - Watershed planning and management is a complex process due to existing different influential criteria in social, economic and environmental sectors as well as...