Multiobjective linear model to optimize water distribution in the Mexican Valley

A multiobjective optimization model is developed for the Mexican Valley to find optimal water distribution scenarios for three water users: agriculture, industry and domestic. Surface, ground, treated and imported water supplies are considered. The model with three objectives and 15 constraints was solved by the distance based method with distance l 1. Three scenarios and two priorities were analyzed for this problem. In Scenario 1, actual aquifer overexploitation and treated water usage were allowed. Scenario 2 considered the reduction of water extraction from the aquifer to one billion m³ (59%), and increased usage of treated water in agriculture by 50%. In Scenario 3, we assume aquifer sustainability and increasing surface water usage by 857 mill m³/year. The last scenario is the best because, in the worst case, the farmers can cover one season and also some crops in the second season, and the domestic users can get more water than their minimum demand. In addition, aquifer sustainability is implemented, which can reduce aquifer overexploitation. The waste water disposal problem, which is critical in this area, also can be reduced.