Rationalizing Water Requirements with Aid of Fuzzy Allocation Model

Abstract

This paper considers water resources planning, specifically the case in which there is limited capability to expand water supply capacities by means of structural solutions. Under such circumstances, all measures that facilitate more efficient water use becomes very important. One of the most critical tasks of water resources planners is the evaluation of the potential for rationalization of water use. The problem is, however, that such practitioners have limited access to information that describes rationalization options available to individual water users. Regarding future water requirements, there is no method to precisely determine their values, and thus water resources planners must proceed on the basis of indirect information only. A dialogue between water administration and water users is always required, but in this case it is of a special importance. To this end, a water resources allocation model has been formulated, based on concepts of fuzzy sets and satisficing theories. A numerical example illustrates the application of the proposed methodology.