Designing and Solving two Mathematical Models for the Optimal Distribution of Urban Water Resources
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Abstract
The lack of optimal distribution of water resources in cities with a lack of quality water resources can be a threat to the sustainability of these cities.
The present study seeks to design a method for urban water distribution among urban districts using two optimization mathematical models applied in Qom Responding to the water needs of the consumption districts was to be carried out with the least distribution costs, towards which end the first mathematical model was designed. Thus, by solving the first model, it will be clear how much water is needed to be transferred from each surface and ground resources that, while considering resources’ limitation of allocation to consumption districts, the needs of the districts are satisfied and the costs of the water company kept at the minimum.
The scarcity of high-quality water resources in Qom has rendered water allocation from these resources to all consumption districts in the city impossible. On the other hand, urban consumption districts demand the highest-quality water given their predominant fabric (residential, commercial, or industrial). Thus, distribution management must take measures to allocate high-quality water to each district depending on its fabric, to which end the second mathematical model has been designed. Hence, solving the second model would answer the question of whether, by using the mathematical model of water distribution from various resources with different qualities, it would be possible to satisfy citizens’ needs in terms of water quality (so that the quality of the allocated water is higher than the quality demanded by the district) and ensure that optimized resource allocation would take place at minimum costs for the company.