Optimizing Management Efforts for Sustainable Long-Range Water Supply Planning

Complex watershed models with decision support systems (DSS) have been developed to aid in integrated water resources management (IWRM) and sustainable water supply planning. Detailed simulation models are important in determining operations policy but there is also a need for screening models that can compare a full range of management options before developing detailed site specific IWRM models. This study is an initial effort to develop a generic, optimization model and DSS that considers a comprehensive set of options for managing the quantity, quality, routing and use of water throughout the watershed including traditional water sources, direct and indirect water reuse, groundwater banking, demand management and land use management. The model is developed in accessible, familiar software with a user interface to facilitate the application of the model. A DSS is integrated in the interface to provide extensive output analysis to aid in recognizing and understanding relationships and tradeoffs, thereby supporting informed decision making.