دانلود رایگان مقاله انگلیسی یک مدل چارچوبی TOPSIS فازی برای رتبه بندی تامین آب پایدار - اشپرینگر 2017

Abstract

Recently water supply alternative sources, recognized as sustainable and ecofriendly have become popular. This is consequent on the scarcity and increasing demand for water, especially by developing nations characterized by industrialization and increasing population growth. However, the intricacies and overwhelming nature of factors to be considered in reaching a decision on a best alternative has further prompted the emergence of several decision support tools, some of which arouse discrepancies with setbacks. We employ here, the uniqueness of fuzzy TOPSIS (technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution), a multi-criteria decision approach (MCDA), to aid in deciding the most preferred alternative water supply among, desalination, water borehole, rain water harvesting, reclaimed water, black water, grey water and water importation. This method is reckoned for its ease in handling both quantitative and qualitative data. Moreover it also overcomes the uncertainties in expert opinions usually encountered in the decision process due to the numerous variables, criteria and attributes that interplay in achieving sustainability. Results from analysis on data aggregation, normalization and performance ratings, coupled with the weighted distance from the positive and negative ideal solutions indicated that borehole ranked topmost followed by rain water harvesting (RWH). These revelations are apt to all stakeholders in the water delivery sector and in deliberations on the paradigm shift to water conservation and management measure.

5 Conclusion

We have in this study, considering the unsatisfactory level of water supply in the country conducted an explicit and apt analysis following a deduction process utilizing solicited elite opinions for selecting criteria’s crucial in achieving sustainability in water supply, by employing the uniqueness of fuzzy TOPSIS model formulated to decide a preferred choice for an alternative water supply option in Nigeria. The linguistic concept and the CFCS method have been applied, revelations from performance rankings indicates borehole water as the best alternative. The study also considers the role of socioeconomic factors in its analysis, a criteria that is fundamental to society and human judgment. This and environmental factors, linked to atmospheric pollutions (acid rain phenomenon) is identified as a major reason for RWH ranking second, albeit with only a marginal difference. The method employed here is simple and demonstrates ease in decision making whilst applicable to similar terrains or region. The study would be useful for policy makers and indeed all involved in water supply/management/planning field as it permits/ enhances apt tradeoff between attributes, simulating between alternatives thus providing improved understanding of differences. This would enable/foster capacity building in weak or complacent areas, hence help develop appropriate alternative strategies.