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Computer software tool REALM for sustainable water allocation and management
B J C Perera1, B James, M D U Kularathna
1School of Architectural, Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Victoria University, P.O. Box 14428 MCMC, Vic. 8001, Australia. chris.perare@vu.edu.au
Journal of Environmental Management
|November 18, 2005
Summary
The REsource ALlocation Model (REALM) optimizes water distribution in supply systems using network linear programming. It aids in water supply planning, management, and assessing supply security, especially with stochastic data and environmental flows.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Engineering
- Water Resource Management
- Computational Modeling
Background:
- Water resource management requires sophisticated tools for efficient allocation and distribution.
- Existing simulation software often faces challenges with capacity constraints and dynamic operating rules.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and describe the features and capabilities of the REsource ALlocation Model (REALM).
- To demonstrate REALM's application in urban and rural water supply systems.
- To highlight REALM's utility in water supply planning, management, and security assessment.
Main Methods:
- REALM employs mass-balance accounting at nodes within a water supply network.
- Water movement is simulated considering carrier capacity constraints.
- A network linear programming algorithm optimizes water allocation at each time step based on user-defined rules.
Main Results:
- REALM effectively models harvesting and bulk distribution of water resources.
- Case studies showcase its application in major urban and rural water supply systems.
- The model successfully integrates stochastically generated data for planning and management.
Conclusions:
- REALM is a versatile tool for optimizing water allocation in complex supply systems.
- It enhances the ability to model environmental flows and assess water security.
- REALM provides valuable insights for water resource planning and operational management.