Abstract:
Increased usage and non-efficient management of limited resources has created the
risk of facing resource scarcity. Water, the most essential element for survival of life,
is on the disastrous verge of scarcity. Due to climate change, urbanization, and
mismanagement of water resources, countries like Pakistan are also facing lack of
ample water resources to cope with increased water demand. Rapid urbanization
obstructs the sustainable utilization of resources due to over-extraction of groundwater
resources. So, there arises a need to address the water management challenges of urban
areas with effective water resource management. We propose Modeling and Simulation
of Urban Water Resource Management using Water Evaluation and Planning system
(WEAP) to model an integrated framework for examining and planning of water
resources in a typical urban setting in Pakistan. The model uses scenario-based
approach to evaluate the future water demand and resources. Analysis of these
scenarios helps in drafting the strategies for efficiently managing the resources and
achieving water conservation. The model is flexible to user inputs and can be scaled
with ease. We demonstrated through our scenario-driven approach and simulations
that water shortages can be effectively dealt with using alternative water resources.
