Formulation of a nonlinear water distribution problem with water rationing: an optimisation approach

Abstract

A mixed-integer nonlinear programming water distribution problem that incorporates water rationing is presented. The city of Bulawayo water distribution problem is implemented and solved using max-min ant system, genetic, tabu search, and simulated annealing algorithms with 100 runs performed for each algorithm. The results show that the city of Bulawayo can save $3158 a day. The max-min ant system produced the best optimal costs compared with the other algorithms. The least run time is obtained by implementing the tabu search algorithm. Water lost through hoarding during water-rationing periods contributes significantly to the total operational costs. Statistical analysis of the results obtained by different algorithms shows that the optimal costs obtained by tabu search, and simulated annealing algorithms are insignificantly different. Future research may be directed toward incorporating priority among water users and formulating a hybrid algorithm that uses both the max-min ant system and tabu search algorithms to solve such problems.

Potential of rooftop rainwater harvesting to meet outdoor water demand in arid regions

“…These changes could affect surface and groundwater flow patterns and influence the quality of water, which in turn could pose serious threats to water resource management (Middelkoop et al, 2001). The optimal allocation and rational use of water resources can potentially lead to a reduction of cost and a sustainable water resource development (Chagwiza, 2016). Rainwater harvesting (RWH) can be an alternative source of water not only because of the volume that can generate but also because it meets the majority of the local water quality standards in terms of the maximum contaminant levels (Cain, 2010;Rahman et al, 2014).…”