Evaluating Water Transfer Projects Using Analytic Network Process (ANP)

This article introduces the analytic network process (ANP) as an effective tool for ranking water transfer projects. Water resources are the main basis of stable development around the world. Uneven water distribution and the shortage of water in some areas have caused water managers to consider interbasin water transfer as a solution to these water problems. Due to the many different conflict criteria in ranking water projects, ranking execution projects is one of the most critical and difficult tasks in water management. Multiple Attribute Decision Making (MADM) is a collection of methodologies to compare, select, or rank multiple alternatives that typically involve incommensurate attributes. Many decision problems cannot be structured hierarchically because they involve the interaction and dependence of higher-level elements in a hierarchy on lower-level ones. This study deals with ranking water transfer projects as a MADM problem. Due to the fact that many of the criteria are related to each other, the Analytic Network Process (ANP) is proposed for ranking projects. Ten water transfer projects in Karun River are investigated. Thirty influential factors are identified. They are classified under benefit, cost and risk criteria. The objective of this investigation is ranking alternatives with respect to different criteria in network form. Finally, sensitivity analysis is introduced.