Products > Water Resource Solutions
DCSE has developed an automated geographic information system (GIS)-based water demand forecasting tool to rapidly estimate the water demands in response to changes in the land use and the related use factors. The changes in land use include varying the build-out and the phasing plans to evaluate different growth scenarios. The automated tool is used to generate and analyze the water demand component of the WRMP. The water demand data generated by the forecasting tool is used to evaluate the system capacity and to plan future system expansions.
Several municipal water agencies have used WDF to update their Water Resources Master Plans (WRMPs). The purpose of a WRMP is to project future demands and the availability of supplies for both potable and non-potable water. In addition, the updated WRMP should include the analysis of infrastructure inadequacies and a plan to improve the system capacity to meet the service requirements under normal and emergency conditions.
The process of developing and updating the WRMP relies heavily on development of land use information. This is due to the fact that the water demand projections are based on land use and the corresponding water use factors. The process of updating the land use information includes collection and incorporation of the existing and the planned land use from all jurisdictional agencies and private companies within the service area of the municipal water agency. Land use in a service area can change rapidly due to conversion of land to residential, commercial, industrial, and other urban uses.
ArcView is used as the front-end graphical user interface (GUI), as well as a tool for displaying post-processed data. This facilitates changing the water use factors and updating water demand forecasts. Data is stored in a relational database. The algorithms for computing water demand are bundled in a Forecast Generator Engine (FGE), using Java. The tool includes extensive on-line help and documentation.
Since WDF is land use-based, it can be used in California to meet the requirements of recent legislation (SB 610 and SB 221) to provide a consistent demand forecast for approval of new projects.
DCSE is available to assist in customizing this tool for a specific use at an agency and for general water resources and/or GIS Services. Some of the solutions include: