Management of optimum water quality in a stream

An optimal waste discharge policy along a stream is investigated based on a program of minimizing the total cost benefit function on a regional basis. The system consists of a stream along which are located several inputs of waste and intakes of water. The cost benefit function comprises of the sum of the cost of waste treatment and the cost of water treatment minus the benefits derived from maintaining a certain water quality in the stream. The biochemical oxygen demand and the dissolved oxygen are considered to be the primary indicators of water quality. A steady state dispersion model is employed to predict the BOD and DO concentrations along the stream.