Multicriteria Decision Analysis Applied to Water Supply Network

Abstract

Many problems in a water supply network, such as control of physical and economic losses, waste, and lack of a maintenance plan, involve different stakeholders to analyze complex decision making. Thus, several studies and models had been developed to aid decisions making in order to reduce unnecessary exploitation of water, and losses in the water distribution networks. Some successful experiences in this sector regarding models to assist decision makers to deal with problems in the water distribution engineering maintenance area are shown in this chapter. The topics discussed in this chapter involve three major problems that may be addressed with multicriteria analysis in water supply systems: (1) sorting measurement flow areas; (2) ordering maintenance alternatives, which are potentially effective, to be implemented in the priority areas according to several decision makers’ point of view; and (3) aggregation of group members’ preferences. In the multicriteria analysis, the models developed can help to give a clear view of the problem, making it possible to recognize priority classes to support the maintenance management, and the major potential alternatives to reduce water loss. Several issues will also be approached in the chapter such as water supply and distribution networks infrastructure; economic and environmental impacts; and methods for decision making among others.