Designing cost effective water demand management programs in Australia

2002 ◽  
Vol 46 (6-7) ◽  
pp. 225-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.B. White ◽  
S.A. Fane

This paper describes recent experience with integrated resource planning (IRP) and the application of least cost planning (LCP) for the evaluation of demand management strategies in urban water. Two Australian case studies, Sydney and Northern New South Wales (NSW) are used in illustration. LCP can determine the most cost effective means of providing water services or alternatively the cheapest forms of water conservation. LCP contrasts to a traditional approach of evaluation which looks only at means of increasing supply. Detailed investigation of water usage, known as end-use analysis, is required for LCP. End-use analysis allows both rigorous demand forecasting, and the development and evaluation of conservation strategies. Strategies include education campaigns, increasing water use efficiency and promoting wastewater reuse or rainwater tanks. The optimal mix of conservation strategies and conventional capacity expansion is identified based on levelised unit cost. IRP uses LCP in the iterative process, evaluating and assessing options, investing in selected options, measuring the results, and then re-evaluating options. Key to this process is the design of cost effective demand management programs. IRP however includes a range of parameters beyond least economic cost in the planning process and program designs, including uncertainty, benefit partitioning and implementation considerations.

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 4869-4900 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Cahill ◽  
J. R. Lund ◽  
B. DeOreo ◽  
J. Medellín-Azuara

Abstract. The increased availability of water end use measurement studies allows for more mechanistic and detailed approaches to estimating household water demand and conservation potential. This study uses, probability distributions for parameters affecting water use estimated from end use studies and randomly sampled in Monte Carlo iterations to simulate water use in a single-family residential neighborhood. This model represents existing conditions and is calibrated to metered data. A two-stage mixed integer optimization model is then developed to estimate the least-cost combination of long- and short-term conservation actions for each household. This least-cost conservation model provides an estimate of the upper bound of reasonable conservation potential for varying pricing and rebate conditions. The models were adapted from previous work in Jordan and are applied to a neighborhood in San Ramon, California in eastern San Francisco Bay Area. The existing conditions model produces seasonal use results very close to the metered data. The least-cost conservation model suggests clothes washer rebates are among most cost-effective rebate programs for indoor uses. Retrofit of faucets and toilets is also cost effective and holds the highest potential for water savings from indoor uses. This mechanistic modeling approach can improve understanding of water demand and estimate cost-effectiveness of water conservation programs.


2013 ◽  
Vol 60 ◽  
pp. 129-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anas A. Makki ◽  
Rodney A. Stewart ◽  
Kriengsak Panuwatwanich ◽  
Cara Beal

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Shamsur Rahim ◽  
Khoi Anh Nguyen ◽  
Rodney Anthony Stewart ◽  
Damien Giurco ◽  
Michael Blumenstein

Digital or intelligent water meters are being rolled out globally as a crucial component in improving urban water management. This is because of their ability to frequently send water consumption information electronically and later utilise the information to generate insights or provide feedback to consumers. Recent advances in machine learning (ML) and data analytic (DA) technologies have provided the opportunity to more effectively utilise the vast amount of data generated by these meters. Several studies have been conducted to promote water conservation by analysing the data generated by digital meters and providing feedback to consumers and water utilities. The purpose of this review was to inform scholars and practitioners about the contributions and limitations of ML and DA techniques by critically analysing the relevant literature. We categorised studies into five main themes: (1) water demand forecasting; (2) socioeconomic analysis; (3) behaviour analysis; (4) water event categorisation; and (5) water-use feedback. The review identified significant research gaps in terms of the adoption of advanced ML and DA techniques, which could potentially lead to water savings and more efficient demand management. We concluded that further investigations are required into highly personalised feedback systems, such as recommender systems, to promote water-conscious behaviour. In addition, advanced data management solutions, effective user profiles, and the clustering of consumers based on their profiles require more attention to promote water-conscious behaviours.


Water Policy ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary Wolff

Water planners facing a choice between water “supply” options (including conservation) customarily use the average unit cost of each option as a decision criterion. This approach is misleading and potentially costly when comparing options with very different reliability characteristics. For example, surface water, desalinated seawater or recycled wastewater and some outdoor demand management programs have very different yield patterns. This paper presents a method for calculating constant-reliability unit costs that adapts some concepts and mathematics from financial portfolio theory. Comparison on a constant-reliability basis can significantly change the relative attractiveness of options. In particular, surface water, usually a low cost option, is more expensive after its variability has been accounted for. Further, options that are uncorrelated or inversely correlated with existing supply sources—such as outdoor water conservation—will be more attractive than they initially appear. This insight, which implies options should be evaluated and chosen as packages rather than individually, opens up a new dimension of yield and financial analysis for water planners.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (15) ◽  
pp. 6787
Author(s):  
Jože M. Rožanec ◽  
Blaž Kažič ◽  
Maja Škrjanc ◽  
Blaž Fortuna ◽  
Dunja Mladenić

Demand forecasting is a crucial component of demand management, directly impacting manufacturing companies’ planning, revenues, and actors through the supply chain. We evaluate 21 baseline, statistical, and machine learning algorithms to forecast smooth and erratic demand on a real-world use case scenario. The products’ data were obtained from a European original equipment manufacturer targeting the global automotive industry market. Our research shows that global machine learning models achieve superior performance than local models. We show that forecast errors from global models can be constrained by pooling product data based on the past demand magnitude. We also propose a set of metrics and criteria for a comprehensive understanding of demand forecasting models’ performance.


2013 ◽  
Vol 105 (9) ◽  
pp. E507-E516 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel A. Morales ◽  
James P. Heaney ◽  
Kenneth R. Friedman ◽  
Jacqueline M. Martin

Hand Surgery ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (02) ◽  
pp. 189-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anis Dosani ◽  
Sameer K. Khan ◽  
Sheila Gray ◽  
Steve Joseph ◽  
Ian A. Whittaker

This prospective non-randomised two-cohort study compares the use of an absorbable suture (Poliglecrapone [Monocryl]: Group A) and a non-absorbable suture (Polyamide [Ethilon]: Group B) in wound closure after elective carpal tunnel decompression. The primary outcome was scar cosmesis as assessed by the Stonybrook Scar Evaluation Scale (SBSES); the financial cost of wound closure was compared as a secondary outocome. All fifty patients completed follow-up. At six weeks, there was no significant difference in the two groups regarding scar tenderness (p = 0.5), although residual swelling was more evident in the absorbable group (p = 0.2). The mean SBSES score at six weeks was 4.72 in Group A, and 4.8 in Group B (p = 0.3). The unit cost per closed wound of Monocryl was three times than Ethilon (p < 0.05). Ethilon is thus cost-effective without compromising the cosmetic outcome, and we recommend using this as the preferred suture for closure of carpal tunnel wounds.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Pohling ◽  
Deepika Dave ◽  
Yi Liu ◽  
Wade Murphy ◽  
Sheila Trenholm

Removal of minerals from crustacean shells during chitin extraction is traditionally achieved using hydrochloric acid. However, the environmental, health and safety concerns of hydrochloric acid have led to investigation of...


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