Application of non-linear simulation and optimisation models in groundwater aquifer management

The need for rational and overall water resources management has become, during the past decades, a problem of major importance due to the rising water demands. In this paper a technique is presented through which a management model that combines the use of two separate models, a flow simulation and an optimisation one, is used for groundwater management. The necessary stages for the formulation and the combined use of the two models, along with a number of problems that might arise during the development of the management model are also presented. This technique is applied to a large-scale case study problem that forms an optimisation approach with a large number of non-linear decision variables. The results of the application of the management model demonstrate the importance of the use of such models both in managing rationally available water resources and in reducing the operational cost of their exploitation.