A Multi-Objective Optimal Water Resources Allocation Process

Abstract

This paper gives a modelling process of dynamic water resources allocation problem in the multi-objective aspect as optimal control process. The method of Maximum Principle including iterative goal programming is proposed as solution algorithm. The system equations presented in this paper is inherently general for water environmental system analysis, so they are available not only for water resources allocation, but, for example, for sewerage planning and so on. The trade-offs between regional developments and environmental impacts can partly be transformed into a decision-making problem of people in the basin, i.e., decision on satisfied and permitted level of objectives. Case study of Yamato-River Basin in Nara and Osaka prefectures of Japan clears that coverage ratio of sewerage system takes a main role of solving such a trade-off problem. And it implies that the balance between the goal of high urban activities and that of conserving water quality in river can be made through water resources allocation.