Multi-Criteria Analysis of Water Resources Planning Options

Author: UDE
Partner Organisations: RWC, PHG, HEC, ATEEC, HSI, STEP, DI, UFZ, KIT, UGOE

Key Findings

  • Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) methods based on PROMETHEE can be applied for informed and transparent decision-making in water resources planning.
  • The analysis of water production and transfer strategies reflects Jordanian and Palestinian stakeholders‘ desire for water independency through seawater desalination at Gaza and Aqaba. Highly ranked were also combined options of Gaza/Netanya for the West Bank and Haifa/Aqaba for Jordan, which are more cost-effective.
  • For desalination plant concepts at the Mediterranean Sea, alternatives in proximity to the shore are preferred due to lower capital requirements and costs. Offshore concepts perform better on environmental criteria while being less economical. For Aqaba, desalination concepts with energy supply from photovoltaics and additional molten salt storage perform well overall. Weaknesses are the technical complexity, higher energy demand and impact of brine discharge.
  • A general preference for centralized wastewater systems has been identified. For decentralized systems, providing more funding opportunities might improve political acceptance.

Full Policy Brief