Ecosystem Quality and Water Supply under Scarcity Conditions. Methodologies to Assist the Decision Maker

This paper addresses the water supply system of the Agreste region in Pernambuco, a state located in the northeastern region of Brazil. It examines the quality of water and the environment surrounding the Jucazinho reservoir, as well as the expenses necessary to guarantee that individuals have access to an adequate supply of drinking water. The study employs pre-existing data, implementing certain simplifications, particularly in the context of the water supply network, which is represented in Epanet. A genetic algorithm is used to analyze and optimize a variety of scenarios by minimizing the objective function while considering the supplementary constraints. The quality of the water in the reservoir is evaluated by utilizing water depth as an indicator. In the case of the study, this straightforward parameter is demonstrated to be associated with the overall health of the ecosystem and the quality of the water. Additionally, it is feasible to establish the conditions that will aid the decision maker in the management of the supply system. During the simulations, other crucial elements for system organization surfaced. These elements can also support the improvement of the water supply network and the sustainable management of the area. This work demonstrates the necessity of combining a technological approach - albeit one that is quite specialized, as in the case of optimizing a complicated system using evolutionary calculation algorithms - with a comprehensive one that considers the engineering complexities of potential solutions in addition to other factors.