On Least‐Cost Design of Aqueduct Systems

Abstract

A new approach to solve the problem of designing an aqueduct system in areas of uniform terrain slope is developed. The approach is based on the premise that, apart from the amount of water to be allocated, the location of the elements of an aqueduct system is a variable to be optimized for a minimum cost design. Based on the geographical distribution of the users and the individual demands, a function of demand is established to determine the optimal number of laterals. For each number of laterals, and using dynamic programming, the leastcost layout of the aqueduct system is determined. Then the overall minimum cost solution is determined. Simulation studies of hypothetical cases show that significant savings can be accrued to interest groups financing aqueduct systems through the use of mathematical optimization techniques, and that the least‐cost design depends on the spatial distribution of demand for water.