Date of Award:

5-2016

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Committee Chair(s)

Richard C. Peralta

Committee

Richard C. Peralta

Committee

Steven Clyde

Committee

Thomas Lachmar

Abstract

The world population is growing rapidly. In developing countries, the growing population is mostly in urban areas. A bigger population requires more food, and more food requires more water. The water needed for food and people comes from the same sources: surface water (rivers, lakes, etc.) and groundwater (aquifers). Thus, there is a competing water demand between people and agriculture in urban areas.

In this research, we use computer software to make a model of the hydrologic system that focuses on surface water and groundwater. To make the model, we use data from real aquifers and streams in order to make the model represent the real system and the water management situations in urban areas. The purpose of this research is to find the maximum population that water can support as well as the maximum economic benefit that agriculture provides to farmers. By connecting the water resources and the users, the model shows that they can help each other rather than compete.

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