Decision Support System for Evaluating Rural Water Supply Infrastructure Scenarios

This paper seeks to develop a methodology that will be useful for rural water districts in assessing the future of their water systems infrastructure. In particular, the use of free water simulation software and publicly available data on population, roads, and terrain present rural water systems with the opportunity to analyze their existing distribution system and forecast where problems are likely to occur. This methodology will allow various alternatives (such as consolidation with a neighboring system, or pipe upgrades) to be evaluated and the costs of implementing these alternatives to be explored. Finally, different avenues for funding the associated costs can be summarized and presented to the community, including the steps needed to apply for popular grant and loan programs