A fuzzy game theoretic approach for groundwater resources management: Application of Rubinstein Bargaining Theory

Abstract

Developing optimal operating policies for conjunctive use of surface and groundwater resources when different stakeholders with conflicting objectives are involved, is usually a challenging task. This problem would be more complex when objectives related to surface and groundwater quality are taken into account. In this study, a new methodology is proposed to resolve the conflict of interests among water users, water supply and environmental protection agencies which are involved in a problem of conjunctive use of surface and groundwater resources. In order to develop a Pareto front among objectives, the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) is used. To incorporate the objectives related to groundwater table fluctuations and groundwater quality, the MODFLOW and MT3D groundwater quantity and quality simulation models and the optimization model are embedded. The best non-dominated solution on the Pareto front is selected using the Rubinstein Sequential Bargaining Theory (RSBT). The Fuzzy Set Theory is also utilized to better define the utility functions of decision makers. To evaluate the efficiency of the proposed methodology, it is applied to the conjunctive use of surface and groundwater resources in the Tehran metropolitan area, Iran.