Water Resources Management

Learning Outcomes: 

Α) Knowledge-based
The course aims at providing knowledge and tools that are used by engineers in water resources planning and management. The course should provide a general overview of the current state of water resources and the challenges faced today and in the future. The course covers methods of quantitative, and methods of management and decision-making. Quantitative analysis techniques include mathematical and statistical methods, and deterministic models, spatial analysis and modeling, and optimization and simulation methods. Knowledge of the methods used to assess the water resources and anthropogenic impacts on water. Examination of the basic principles of surface and ground water resources management in the context of increasing water scarcity and uncertainty due to the stress of the system. Knowledge of specific topics including reservoir, river basin and aquifer management, conjunctive use of surface and ground water, and treated wastewater reuse. Besides the technical aspects of water management, an overview of its legal and institutional framework is provided.

Β) Skils/Competences acquired
After completing this course, students will be able:

• To combine options to emerge with skills varying from integrated water management, surface and groundwater hydrology, to administration and leadership skills relevant to the sector.
• To apply management fundamentals to solve current problems and to anticipate, mitigate and prevent future problems in the area of water resources management.
• Τo recognize and appreciate social, political, economic and environmental impacts on water resources management
• Το develop skills in methods and techniques relevant to integrated water resources management
• Το explain the concept and principles of IWRM. Describe the methodologies and tools for practicing IWRM. Analyze the EU WFD as an example of IWRM in practice
• To analyze policy and planning frameworks for water resources management
• To identify and critically review the conflicting interests to be considered in making water resource management decisions
• Τo fully contribute to projects and issues in integrated water resource management
• Το characterize, quantify and manage water resources

General Skills: 

ICT use,Decision-making,Project design and management,critical thinking,autonomous work

Course Content:
This course introduces the student to the basic principles of Water Resources Management (WRM). The lectures are the following:
1. Introduction in WRM
2. Water resources systems
3. Economics of WRM
4. Numerical modelling in WRM
5. Simulating the water systems
6. Optimization
7. Decision making and multi-criteria analysis
8. Uncertainties in WRM
9. Machine Learning in WRM
10. Natural hazards: floods
11. Natural hazards: drought
12. WRM software presentation
13. Final course

Suggested Bibliography:

• 1. Loucks, D. and van Beek, E. (2017). Water Resource Systems Planning and Management, Springer.
  2. Ojha, C.S.P., Surampalli, R.Y., Bardossy, A., Zhang, T.C., Kao, C.M. (2017). Sustainable Water Resources Management, American Society of Civil Engineers.
• Mays L.R. (2017). Water Resources Engineering. Wiley; 2 edition, 928 p.