A Cost-Effective Decision Support Model for Efficient Water Infrastructure Planning to Enhance Sustainability

Abstract In today’s world, understanding the role of effective water management is crucial for promoting sustainable development. It is essential to focus on strategies that balance resource conservation with the demands of growing communities. In this regard, this study focuses on developing a decision support system to enhance the planning and implementation of water infrastructure projects in rural areas, which often rely on international aid and partnerships. The proposed model aims to provide stakeholders with a clear understanding of the implications of various design and operational choices, offering an optimal balance. Main key contributions of the model include an adaptive approach to customizing rural water infrastructure planning based on local needs and conditions, accurate cost estimates that account for geographic and demographic factors, and the ability to compare different infrastructure scenarios to identify the most cost-effective and sustainable solutions. Additionally, the proposed model features an intuitive user interface designed for easy interaction by all stakeholders, including non-technical community members. This interface provided a 90% time savings in water infrastructure design and promoted a collaborative decision-making process by dynamically adjusting recommendations based on stakeholder input. By offering a standardized, easily understandable format for presenting project information, the model not only strengthens funding applications but also adds value to the existing literature, providing a valuable resource for future studies in the field of rural water infrastructure planning.