Developing a Stochastic Conflict Resolution Model for Trading Discharge Permits in River Systems

So many researchers are preoccupied with optimal river water quality management to economically use the assimilative capacity in these systems. This paper presents an efficient methodology for developing pollutant discharge permit trading in river systems considering the conflict of interests of involving decision-makers and the stakeholders. Moreover, the randomness associated with various input variables of the river water quality simulation model is considered. In the proposed algorithm, a trade-off curve between objectives is developed using the Nondominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II (NSGA-II). The best non-dominated solution on the trade-off curve is selected using the Young conflict resolution theory. Finally, an optimization model provides the trading discharge permit policies. Applying this methodology to the Zarjub River system in the northern part of Iran shows that it can be effectively used for conflict resolution in trading water pollution discharge permits in river systems.