Multi-criteria Decision Analysis: A Strategic Planning Tool for Water Loss Management

Abstract

Water utilities particularly in the developing countries continue to operate with considerable inefficiencies in terms of water and revenue losses. With increasing water demand and scarcity, utilities require effective strategies for optimum use of available water resources. Diverse water loss reduction options exist. Deciding on which option to choose amidst conflicting multiple criteria and different interests of stakeholders is a challenging task. In this paper, an integrated multi-criteria decision-aiding framework for strategic planning of water loss management is presented. The PROMETHEE II method was applied within the framework in prioritizing water loss reduction options for Kampala city. A strategic plan that combines selective mains and service lines replacement and pressure management as priorities is the best compromise based on preferences of the decision makers and seven evaluation criteria characterized by financial-economic, environmental, public health, technical and social impacts. The results show that the most preferred options are those that enhance water supply reliability, public health and water conservation measures. This study demonstrates how decision theory coupled with operational research techniques could be applied in practice to solve complex water management and planning problems.

Transitioning of Urban Water Distribution Systems

“…For example, UNICEF and WHO (2012) however this analysis may benefit from a more qualitative approach rather than a quantitative approach. Mutikanga et al (2011) used performance indicators to analyse the state of existing systems, however their application to the UWDS transition problem is still elusive. Nonetheless, they can act as starting points for the decision making during the UWDS transition process.…”

“…The integrated analysis of technical and socio-economic attributes of urban infrastructure is gaining use judgments from decision-makers to prioritise options based on weights and ranks generated from a set of evaluation criteria (Belton and Stewart 2002;Kiker, Bridges et al 2009;Mutikanga et al 2011). Mendoza and Martins (2006) described the attributes that characterize MDCA problems.…”

“…Moreover, MCDA or MCDM has additional features that make it an appropriate tool for solving complex problems such as analysing SII. First, the MCDA/MCDM methods can take care of both quantitative and qualitative data (Mendoza and Martins 2006;Mutikanga et al 2011). The data for the dimensions and criteria required to compute SII may be both quantitative (for example, population and population density) and linguistic in nature (e.g.…”

“…For these reasons, MCDA has been selected for the SII problem. However, MCDA suffers from a few drawbacks that potential users ought to be aware of which include their subjectivity, risk of being manipulated, the approach is prone to rank reversal when new criteria are introduced and potential of creating "black box" effects where criteria exceed seven, limiting the decision-makers ability to objectively track the decision process (Mutikanga et al 2011).…”

Multi-criteria evaluation of sources for self-help domestic water supply

“…El-Gafy, El-Ganzori and Mohamed (2013) assessed irrigation water in the Egyptian Governorate using MCDA. Mutikanga et al (2011) employed MCDA to evaluate water loss reduction options in Kampala using seven evaluation criteria characterized by financial-economic, environmental, public health, technical and social impacts. Piertersen (2006) applied MCDA to develop policy responses and strategies for groundwater management at community and catchment scales in South Africa.…”