Water Analysis: A Systems Approach Incorporating Linear Programming

Abstract

This paper reviews an interactive, policy-oriented simulation model (!PASS) developed by Olson, et al (4, 5] and introduces the addition of a water module to this system. This module enables policymakers to estimate and analyze direct and indirect socioeconomic effects on a regional economy over time due to regional water supply constraints and water reallocation decisions. While the simulation system including the water module allows the user (policymaker) a great deal of flexibility to adjust underlying parameters and constraints to analyze impacts, it provides no guidelines as to which policy parameters should be changed or in what direction or magnitude. As a step towards filling this void with respect to water-related decisions, a linear programming (LP) model is linked to the simulation system through the water module to guide the user in making optimizing parameter adjustments with respect to water allocation and with respect to the user's (policymaker's) objective. The LP methodology is demonstrated through a simple, 2-sector graphical presentation.