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A Scenario-Based Water Conservation Planning Support System (SB-WCPSS)
Citation:
Wang, X., A. Burguess, AND J. Yang. A Scenario-Based Water Conservation Planning Support System (SB-WCPSS). Stochastic Environmental Research and Risk Assessment . Springer-Verlag, BERLIN-HEIDELBERG, Germany, 27(3):629-641, (2013).
Impact/Purpose:
Inform public and professionals on a new planning method on water-energy adaptation
Description:
The potential of human-induced climate change requires adaptation strategies to minimize human impact, especially in areas sensitivity to climate change. In the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Water Resource Adaptation Program (WRAP), studies are conducted to blunt this challenge by providing water resource managers and decision makers with tools they may use to adapt water resources (e.g., watersheds and infrastructure) to climate change and demographic and economic development. One aspect of the WRAP research is to understand the demand for water and energy under various urban development scenarios. To achieve this goal, this study aims to develop a Scenario-Based Water Conservation Planning Support System (SB-WCPSS). The SB-WCPSS consists of four components – 1) a graphic user interface (GUI), 2) a community spatial database, 3) a Geographic Information System (GIS), and 4) a set of drinking water consumption models. Through the GUI SB-WCPSS users can specify features of a community planning scenario by specifying anticipated future land uses and associated water consumption patterns. The modeling and GIS analysis retrieve data from the spatial database and the analytical results are stored in the community spatial database. After the process is repeated for multiple scenarios, SB-WCPSS users, though the GUI, can review the water consumption consequence of a scenario or compare the results of multiple scenarios. To prepare planners, decision makers and general public for the challenge of climate change, this study is the initial step of a larger quantitative adaptive planning that includes modeling the water quality spatial distribution and energy consumption.
