Simulation and multicriteria optimization modeling approach for regional water restoration management

This paper presents a modeling framework that intends to select the optimal robust wastewater reclamation program of measures (PoM) to achieve the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) objectives in the inner Catalonia watersheds. The integrative methodological tool developed incorporates a water quality model to simulate the effects of the PoM used to reduce pollution pressures on the hydrologic network. A Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm (MOEA) helps to identify efficient trade-offs between PoM cost and water quality. Interactive Decisions Map (IDM)—a multi-criteria visualization—based decision support tool is used to provide a clear idea of the trade-off between water status and the cost to achieve such situation. Lastly, a stochastic simulation model to analyze the sensitivity under varied environmental uncertainties is run. Moreover, the tool is oriented to guide water managers in their decision-making processes. Additionally, this paper analyzes the results of the application of the management tool in the inner Catalan watershed in order to perform the European WFD. This tool has had a key role in the design of part of the PoM which shall be implemented to achieve objectives of the WFD in 2015 in all the Catalan catchments.