Use of an optimal water resources allocation model on R. Rwizi catchment.

Abstract

Mbarara municipality has a rapidly growing population with R. Rwizi as the only fresh water source. Water scarcity and unregulated utilization of R. Rwizi catchment have become a threat to the sustainable development of both the ecosystem, human beings and livestock. In order optimize water resources in the area, this report attempts to propose a new perspective for the optimization of water resources allocation in a typical river catchment. In order to conduct an accurate and feasible program for water resources allocation, an optimal water resources allocation programming model was used which was solely decided by water resources demand in different water use sectors and the available volume in the catchment. The program includes two parts, namely water demand forecast among different water use sectors and optimal allocation among domestic, industrial, agricultural and ecological uses within the study area. The results demonstrate that the optimal program can well predicate the future water demand of the different water sectors and appropriately allocate the resources without constraining the ecological sector the actual situation of water allocation in the future. To ensure regional sustainable development, it is vital that reasonable water-saving measures in each water use sector and ecological protection policies be taken.