Optimization of Water Resources Planning for Jordan's Aqaba Special Economic Zone

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss the development of a water resources planning decision support system (DSS) for Jordan's Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZ). Our objectives are to conserve fresh water supplies and minimize overall water production and delivery costs. Aqaba currently relies entirely on fresh water pumped out of the Disi aquifer, 63 kilometers away. We used water consumption patterns, demographic projections, planned investments, and water demands to forecast water demand. We also identified existing and potential water sources, including the potable Disi water, desalinated Red Sea water, and treated wastewater. The DSS includes a mixed-integer programming model that considers demand and system component capacity limitations on production, storage, treatment, and transportation. The DSS optimal plan involves increasing wastewater treatment capacity, expanding 8.5 kilometers of the Disi aquifer-ASEZ pipeline, and constructing a 7.5-million cubic meter (MCM) reverse osmosis desalination plant. The ASEZ adopted our recommendations, built the pipeline expansion, and issued a request for proposal to construct the desalination plant and build a 4.4-MCM waste-water treatment plant. In addition to improving the reliability of fresh water supplies, the cost savings exceed US $7.74 million in capital investments and US $0.661 million in annual operating costs, bringing the net present value of savings over 15 years to about US $12.77 million.