Computer software tool REALM for sustainable water allocation and management

• Published in: Journal of environmental management Vol. 77; no. 4; pp. 291 - 300
• Main Authors: Perera, B.J.C., James, B., Kularathna, M.D.U.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2005; Elsevier; Academic Press Ltd
• Subjects: algorithms; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Australia; Biological and medical sciences; case studies; Computer Simulation; computer software; Computers; Conservation of Natural Resources; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Environmental management; Fresh Water; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; General aspects. Techniques; hydrologic models; linear models; Methods and techniques (sampling, tagging, trapping, modelling...); Models, Theoretical; Planning and management; Resource allocation; rural water supply; Simulation; Simulation modelling; simulation models; Software; Stochastic models; Sustainability; sustainable development; Sustainable water allocation; urban areas; Victoria (Australia); water allocation; Water management; Water Movements; Water resources; Water Supply; Victoria (Australia); Australia; Sustainable water allocation; Water supply; Simulation modelling; Planning and management; Software; Planning; Environmental management; Modeling
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2005.06.014

REALM ( REsource ALlocation Model) is a generalised computer simulation package that models harvesting and bulk distribution of water resources within a water supply system. It is a modeling tool, which can be applied to develop specific water allocation models. Like other water resource simulation software tools, REALM uses mass-balance accounting at nodes, while the movement of water within carriers is subject to capacity constraints. It uses a fast network linear programming algorithm to optimise the water allocation within the network during each simulation time step, in accordance with user-defined operating rules. This paper describes the main features of REALM and provides potential users with an appreciation of its capabilities. In particular, it describes two case studies covering major urban and rural water supply systems. These case studies illustrate REALM's capabilities in the use of stochastically generated data in water supply planning and management, modelling of environmental flows, and assessing security of supply issues.