Decision Process and Trade-off Analysis Model for Supply Rotation and Planning

In recent years, Tampa Bay Water has added new and diverse water sources to its supply mix. With these additional sources, decision-making regarding source rotation and production scheduling has become increasingly complex. Each source combination has unique costs, environmental effects, water quality characteristics, reliability and benefits. And, the selected combination must meet Tampa Bay Water's annual planning objectives. To address this challenge, Tampa Bay Water developed and implemented a decision making process to aid annual water source rotation and planning decision making. A multi-attribute utility analytical (MUA) tool, named the Source Management and Rotation Technology Tool (SMARTT), was developed to evaluate water source planning alternatives. Together, the decision making process and SMARTT establish a framework to assess water source combinations and so policy makers can make effective decisions that meet water quality, environmental, social, operational and financial objectives. The purpose of this report is to provide a summary of the findings from the Tampa Bay Water Decision Making Process and Trade-off Analysis Model for Supply Rotation and Planning project. The report includes an overview of Tampa Bay Water, a project overview, an analysis of decision making process and trade-off analysis tools, a descriptive Tampa Bay Water project case study (including a detailed account of the development of SMARTT), and potential application of the lessons learned from this project to others in the water profession.