Introduction to Water Resources Management

Abstract

The course offers an introduction to the basics of water resources analysis and management covering the topics of water demand vs availability, water exploitation and reservoir design, aquatic physics, water quality and pollution, water conservation and remediation in rivers, lakes and aquifers, sustainable water use.

Objective

Introduction to the basics of sustainable water resources management based on relevant hydrological processes, management approaches and mathematical models.

Content

Introduction to water management, current situation: water uses, conflicts on water resources, impact of global change. Water supply vs water demand management. Green water, virtual water. Introduction to concepts of participatory approach in WRM. Estimation of urban, industrial and agricultural water needs. Estimation of agricultural water needs. Simple models of annual and seasonal water yield. Introduction to Time Series Analysis and Stochastic Modelling. Linear Stochastic Models. Thomas Fiering Model. Droughts: definition, identification, quantitative analysis, impact and mitigation. Run of river water abstraction. Environmental Flows. Reservoir design: deterministic and probabilistic methods. Simulation technique. Optimal water allocation: linear programming. River and basin morphology and interaction with infrastructures. Environmental Impact Assessment of water resources projects. Economic and reliability analysis. Example of application of modelling techniques are made available on selected topics. Four computer-based class exercises on selected topics are offered and guided through teaching assistants.

Resources