Two-Stage Chance-Constrained Fractional Programming for Sustainable Water Quality Management under Uncertainty

Abstract

In this study, a two-stage chance-constrained fractional programming (TCFP) method is developed for dealing with water quality management problems associated with stochastic inputs. Two-stage chance-constrained fractional programming is a hybrid of stochastic linear fractional programming (SLFP) and two-stage stochastic programming (TSP) methods. It can not only balance objectives of two aspects through converting a bi-objective problem into a ratio one but can also analyze various policy scenarios when the promised production targets are violated. For demonstrating its advantages, the proposed TCFP method is applied to a case study of water quality management where managers have to consider conflicting objectives between economic development and environmental conservation, as well as stochastic features expressed as probability distributions. The obtained solutions under different significance levels can help managers to identify desired policies under various environmental, economic, and constraint-violation conditions.