A New Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Methodology for the Selection of New Water Supply Infrastructure
1
Water Distribution and Sewerage Systems Research Center (CIACUA), Universidad de los Andes, Carrera 1 Este No. 19A-40, Bogotá 111711018, Colombia
2
Department of Industrial Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Carrera 1 Este No. 19A-40, Bogotá 111711018, Colombia
3
Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy CEPMLP, University of Dundee, Ninewells Drive, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK
4
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Water Distribution and Sewerage Systems Research Center (CIACUA), Universidad de los Andes, Carrera 1 Este No. 19A-40, Bogotá 111711018, Colombia
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Water 2019, 11(4), 805; https://doi.org/10.3390/w11040805
Received: 7 March 2019 / Revised: 28 March 2019 / Accepted: 30 March 2019 / Published: 18 April 2019
(This article belongs to the Section Urban Water Management)
Abstract
Reliable and safe access to drinking water is necessary to ensure the economic and social sustainable development of human communities. This task requires a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) methodology to select alternatives for new water supply infrastructure. These alternatives represent significant financial resources and are established for a long lifespan. To support decision-making in the context of building new water supply infrastructure, this study developed an MCDA methodology that integrates a hierarchy of non-economic benefits and the expected costs into a global index. Our methodology was implemented in the city of Santa Marta, Colombia. This city currently has a 60% drinking water shortage, and urgently needs to expand its capacity to satisfy the increasing water demand. The results of this study support the implementation of the best alternative for addressing Santa Marta’s water supply problem by considering the preferences of stakeholders. View Full-TextKeywords:
multi-criteria decision analysis; analytical hierarchy process; water supply infrastructure
▼
Figures
Figure 1
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited (CC BY 4.0).
Share & Cite This Article
MDPI and ACS Style
Amorocho-Daza, H.; Cabrales, S.; Santos, R.; Saldarriaga, J. A New Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Methodology for the Selection of New Water Supply Infrastructure. Water 2019, 11, 805.
Note that from the first issue of 2016, MDPI journals use article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.