Optimised conjunctive control rules for a system of water supply sources: Roadford reservoir system (UK)

Due to the large and often competing demands for water and increasing importance of sustainability criteria, water resource managers have begun to examine closely ways in which the operation of existing and planned reservoirs could be optimised. Guidelines have been devised on the operation of multi-purpose, multiple reservoir water systems, but there remains no methodology generally accepted by water resource managers for deriving multiple-reservoir operating policies. This article proposes a new approach to the optimisation of the operation of multiple reservoir systems. The revised methodology develops the concept of an extended drought period to evaluate additional emergency storage reserve extending the reliability of the system. The operation of the Roadford Reservoir System, South West England, consisting of nine reservoirs was studied. Through simulation analysis, the control rules for each reservoir were revised based on the concept of minimising demand deficit. This article highlights the superior results compared with the current operating control rules.