Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to Optimize the Service in a Water Supply Network

Abstract

Decision making in drinking water supply networks is increasingly complex due to the large number of variables involved. In order to make better decisions it is necessary to use adequate and robust methodologies. This paper presents the application of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) related to the operation of the drinking water supply network of the city of Chihuahua, Mexico, where two possible alternatives are delineated with the objective to optimize the service. The application of AHP was carried out in 24 sectors that have substantial differences in their efficiency but with instrumentation and measurement in all the variables contemplated by the operating agency, with a population of 221,722 inhabitants which represent a 30% of the total population of the city, the results indicate that the best alternative is the one with less criteria to be controlled and fewer repercussions on the cost of operation and investment in the rehabilitation and replacement of the network.