Chapter 3 Decision Support Model (IUWS-DSM) - Tubdok

98 New Conception and Decision Support Model for IUWS
and UD), where the nested structure is built up. As the IUWS has two sides, i.e. water usage
and WIS, the planning procedure consists of two sections, too. The water usage is planned
in the bottom-up direction, i.e. from WUC to WUU, then UD and finally CA, where the WIS is
planned in the top-down direction, i.e. from CA to UD and then WUU. The water facilities in
WUC are not included as they are mainly indoor facilities on small scales and usually the
private properties. The interaction between two sections in each water entity is also taken
into account. (§ 3.2, p. 50)
If there is more than one option, the decision has to be made. Decision making policies
are developed, which are divided into five sections for dealing with five issues: 1. selection of
water sources, 2. supply methods of desired water, 3. collection and transport methods of
used water and rainwater, 4. utilisation methods of used water, and 5. utilisation methods of
rainwater. The decision making mechanisms are developed for each issue and the decision
making rules are set up respectively, as well. (§ 3.3, p. 55)
The cost and energy consumption are chosen as the criteria to evaluate the alternatives
of IUWSs, where the cost estimation is the essential criterion. The estimation method is built
up, and the empirical cost functions are suggested. The information about energy
consumption in urban WIS is universally lacking, so a general procedure for assessing
energy consumption is proposed. (§ 3.4, p. 71)
Afterwards, the methods for comparing system options of IUWSs are introduced. In the
same manner, two parts need be compared, i.e. water usage and WIS. The water usage is
compared within each water entity with consideration of the interrelations between water
entities. In the hierarchy of the IUWS, since water entities are embedded, there are two kinds
of comparison for the WIS, i.e. within water entities and crossing levels. The demonstration
graphs are given for the water usage, and the comparison matrices are established for the
WIS. (§ 3.5, p. 79)
In the holistic view, the relations between total water demands and water sources need to
be revealed. As defined in § 1.3.3, the model copes with two situations: 1. planning of new
area and 2. expansion of existing area. Such relations of both situations are presented
together in Figure 38 (p. 83) as a demonstration. It can help the model users easily
determine the suitable scenarios of water usage and properly organise the water sources.
In order to easily and widely use the IUWS-DSM, it needs to be realised in the software.
The realisation method is therefore proposed. The architecture of the software is sketched.
Especially, the structure of database in the software is described in details. (§ 3.6, p. 86)
In Chapter 4, the new conception and IUWS-DSM are summarised. Several similar
projects related to IUWSs are shortly described. As the IUWS is a quite new progress
direction, other projects are either ongoing or new proposed, so no concrete comparison can
be done. The uncertainty of IUWS is discussed. The potential improvement of the IUWS-
DSM is suggested. Last but not least, the prospect of further research for IUWSs is expected.
(§ Chapter 4, p. 89)