Decision Support System for Drainage Water Management Applied in Egypt

Abstract

This research demonstrates the use of recent engineering technologies and tools as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Decision Support System (DSS) and their applicability in identifying and solving water quality problems. The integrated approach of water management increases the complexity of the decision-making and policy making. A DSS can be used to facilitate such a complex and integrated approach. The DSS includes measures and strategies to present the results of the model calculations in a clear way. The approach includes the quantification of the pollutant input into the drainage water system as a function of human activities. The water quality processes are analyzed and evaluated using a computational framework of a database as well as a geographical information system for the multi­ criteria evaluation through visualization. Mathematical models are also used for simulation, calculation and prediction. The objective of the developed DSS is to improve the effectiveness of the decision and not the efficiency with which decisions are being made. This includes the ability to support the solution of complex problems and to give fast resp•onse to unexpected situations that result in changed conditions. It also gives new insights and learning that could help in training inexperienced managers • and improve the management control and performance. Finally, this could reach objective decisions better than those made intuitively and save expenses wasted due to uninformed decisions.