A linear bi-level multi-objective program for optimal allocation of water resources

PLoS One. 2018 Feb 14;13(2):e0192294. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192294. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

This paper presents a simple bi-level multi-objective linear program (BLMOLP) with a hierarchical structure consisting of reservoir managers and several water use sectors under a multi-objective framework for the optimal allocation of limited water resources. Being the upper level decision makers (i.e., leader) in the hierarchy, the reservoir managers control the water allocation system and tend to create a balance among the competing water users thereby maximizing the total benefits to the society. On the other hand, the competing water use sectors, being the lower level decision makers (i.e., followers) in the hierarchy, aim only to maximize individual sectoral benefits. This multi-objective bi-level optimization problem can be solved using the simultaneous compromise constraint (SICCON) technique which creates a compromise between upper and lower level decision makers (DMs), and transforms the multi-objective function into a single decision-making problem. The bi-level model developed in this study has been applied to the Swat River basin in Pakistan for the optimal allocation of water resources among competing water demand sectors and different scenarios have been developed. The application of the model in this study shows that the SICCON is a simple, applicable and feasible approach to solve the BLMOLP problem. Finally, the comparisons of the model results show that the optimization model is practical and efficient when it is applied to different conditions with priorities assigned to various water users.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Decision Making
  • Water Movements
  • Water Supply*

Grants and funding

This research was financially supported by the International Partnership Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. 131C11KYSB20160061) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41422101 and 41761144078). Prof. Dr. Liu Junguo participation was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41625001, 41571022, 51711520317), the National Key R&D Program of China (No. 2017YFA0603704) and the Southern University of Science and Technology (Grant no. G01296001).