Applying Multiobjective Genetic Algorithm to Analyze the Conflict among Different Water Use Sectors during Drought Period

Abstract

Water deficits often occur during the drought season and may cause water conflicts among various water use sectors. The reservoir rule curve operation is commonly used to avoid extreme water shortage during droughts in Taiwan. When applying the rule curve operation, the water supply discounting ratio for different sectors implies a trade-off of water deficit impact among sectors. This study therefore develops a multiobjective water resource management model to evaluate the trade-off curve of water deficit impact between irrigation and public sectors to facilitate negotiation between the sectors for obtaining acceptable discounting ratios. The study uses the shortage index to assess water deficit impact. The proposed model integrates operating rules, the stepwise optimal water allocation model, and the convex hull multiobjective genetic algorithm to solve the multiobjective regional water allocation planning problem. The computed trade-off curve, noninferior solutions, provides relevant information to facilitate negotiating water-demand transfer. The results reveal that when decision makers prefer specified water use, the discounting ratio of another competing water use at the low buffer zone should be limited on the lower bound.