Strategic decision-making system for urban water reuse application | |
| Author | Nitirach Sa-nguanduan |
| Call Number | AIT Diss. no.UE-11-01 |
| Subject(s) | Municipal water supply--Decision making--Thailand Water reuse--Decision making--Thailand |
| Note | A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Environmental Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Dissertation ; no. UE-11-01 |
| Abstract | Planned water reuse (WR) is a growing practice in urban areas to reduce water stress and to ensure sustainable water management. However WR implementation in middle-income countries has been typically restricted to landscape irrigation option due to devoting decision-making to its economic and technical aspects, with less consideration of indirect impacts and sustainability. Hence, the main objective of this study is to develop a strategic decision-making system (DMS) integrating sustainable aspects and environmental externalities for urban WR application. This study adopted a system development process for development of the DMS based on two selected study areas, Pattaya City and Chacheongsao Town Municipality in Thailand. Specific techniques, e.g. multi-criteria decision analysis, stakeholder analysis, environmental economic evaluation and statistical analysis, were used to conduct and/or analyze primary data from interviews of key informants and questionnaire surveys of key informants and households, and secondary data sources. The developed DMS for strategic decision on WR application in urban areas can contribute to the WR implementations by providing initiated groups of stakeholders and an improved decision-making process. Enhancing understanding of stakeholders and their roles in WR system could increase public support. The improved decision-making process through multi-criteria decision making was provided through a new set of criteria encompassing multiple aspects and environmental externalities and their relative importance, all feasible alternatives, and sensitive factors. The DMS can be a straightforward method to give not only an appropriate application but also the strengths and weaknesses of the WR alternatives. Additionally, the information support tool, as a computer-based system, was developed and is expected to assist decision makers, even those who are not experts on WR management in evaluating feasible alternatives. Implementing the DMS and information support tool will expand WR applications, e.g. beyond landscape irrigation by controlling effluent quality and by improving the institutional partnership. Thus this study contributes to improved decision-making mechanism by integrating local conditions and preferences of urban areas in middle-income countries. The DMS and the information support tool for WR application may be expected to be applied to other urban areas in middle-income countries. These could contribute to proper WR application and strategies to improve WR management towards urban water sustainability and to be an accessible tool for better communicating with stakeholders. |
| Year | 2011 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Dissertation ; no. UE-11-01 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Urban Environmental and Management (UE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Vilas Nitivattananon |
| Examination Committee(s) | Sajor, Edsel ;Chongrak Polprasert ;Shivakoti, Ganesh |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand ;Royal Thai Government Fellowship |
| Degree | Thesis (Ph.D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2011 |