Influence of Water Transfer between River Basins on the Operation of Water Systems in Semi-arid Regions

Water security is essential for the development of semi-arid regions. Inter-basin water diversion projects are an important solution for guaranteeing access to water for populations in these regions. Reaching optimal water allocation in an inter-basin water diversion project is a challenge, especially in water systems that are unable to meet their demands. This study proposed a methodology for defining reservoir operation rules for inter-basin water diversion projects in semi-arid regions. The findings from taking the Apodi-Mossor & oacute; River Basin in Northeast of Brazil as a case reveal that the regulated flow of the reservoirs under constant water transfer increased in direct proportion to the transferred volume, and that it is not necessary to transfer water every year. Thus, the results show that the proposed reservoir operation policies reduce transferred volumes, thereby cutting costs, without compromising the system's water availability. This study consequently contributes to providing information in order to prepare decision-makers to implement sustainable water resource management in this region.