Innovative tools for water quality management and policy analysis: Desert and streamplan

• Published in: Water Science & Technology Vol. 40; no. 10; pp. 103 - 110
• Main Authors: De Marchi, C, Ivanov, P, Jolma, A, Masliev, I, Smith, M G, Somlyody, L
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: London IWA Publishing 1999
• Subjects: Artificial intelligence; Commands; Computational fluid dynamics; Computer simulation; Data management; Data processing; Decision analysis; Decision support systems; Deserts; Effluent standards; Emissions control; Fluid flow; Freshwater; Hydraulics; Instruments; Modelling; Municipal wastewater; Policies; Policy analysis; Quality management; Regional development; River basins; River water; Rivers; Specifications; Systems analysis; Wastewater; Water quality; Water quality management; Water quality standards; Windows (computer programs); Europe
• ISBN: 008043696X; 9780080436968
• ISSN: 0273-1223; 1996-9732
• DOI: 10.1016/S0273-1223(99)00679-4

This paper presents the major features of two decision support systems (DSS) for river water quality modeling and policy analysis recently developed at the International Institute of Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), DESERT and STREAMPLAN. DESERT integrates in a single package data management, model calibration, simulation, optimization and presentation of results. DESERT has the flexibility to allow the specification of both alternative water quality models and flow hydraulics for different branches of the same river basin. Specification of these models can be done interactively through Microsoft registered Windows commands and menus and an easy to use interpreted language. Detailed analysis of the effects of parameter uncertainty on water quality results is integrated into DESERT. STREAMPLAN, on the other hand, is an integrated, easy-to-use software system for analyzing alternative water quality management policies on a river basin level. These policies include uniform emission reduction and effluent standard based strategies, ambient water quality and least-cost strategies, total emission reduction under minimized costs, mixed strategies, local and regional policies, and strategies with economic instruments. A distinctive feature of STREAMPLAN is the integration of a detailed model of municipal wastewater generation with a water quality model and policy analysis tools on a river basin scale.