Integrated Water Resources Management Incorporating Water Quality, Energy Consumption and Ecological Requirement

摘要

Water demand is increasing with the population growth and economic development, which result in the conflicts between different water users with limited water resources. This calls for an integrated water resources management, which considers water quantity and quality along with the socio-economic factors. This study developed a system dynamics model for water resources management in Hillsborough County. The model considers multiple water users including ecological system, different water supply options, water quality, and energy consumption associated with water supply. The result shows that current water management mainly focuses on water quantity, especially for municipal water withdrawal. The incorporation of water quality and associated energy consumption in decision making will change the supply options. Surface water will be preferred for water supply and the simulated groundwater level will increase by 0.6-0.8% with minor decrease in the surface water level.