Optimizing Operating Rules of Multiple Source Water Supply Systems in Terms of System Guarantee and Resulting Operating Costs: Survey of Simulation- Optimization Modeling Approaches Based on General Purpose Tools

Management and operation of a multiple-objective multisource water supply system from the point of view of the conjunctive use of water sources is a very complex problem whose solution is not just obtained using analytical models but also through a negotiation process among stakeholders and in which Public Bodies have a main role. For these reasons, this problem has been addressed using conservative approaches based on simulation models or simulation – linear optimization models parameterized using few parameters which, in general, are already covered by existing generalized modelling tools using a longer or shorter trial and error process. However, these conservative approaches have drawbacks and constraints when dealing with certain complexities of water supply systems (i.e.: non-linearity, uncertainty or stochastic nature) that may prevent them of finding an optimal solution.