Risk Assessment of Wastewater Collection Performance Using the Fuzzy Decision-making Approach

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD Student of Water Civil Eng., University of Tehran, Tehran

2 Prof., Center of Excellence for Engineering and Management of Civil Infrastructures, School of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran

3 Assist. Prof. of Water Eng., College of Aburaihan, University of Tehran, Tehran

Abstract

Wastewater collection network simulation in normal conditions dose not provide performance assessment in unusual circumstances. In this paper, a model has been developed for risk assessment of wastewater collection systems to manage their performance under natural or man-made critical conditions. In this model, certain criteria were defined, fuzzy MADM techniques were exploited, and a questionnaire was employed to measure such risk parameters as the probability of threats, the severity of their impacts, and the vulnerability of the network components. Based on the calculated magnitude of the risks, the threats and hazards were classified into groups ranging from low-risk to high-risk threats. The approaches adopted to combat the risks were also classified into the following three categories: "to deal with the risk", "risk shifting", and "risk taking". This process was implemented for the wastewater collection system in Shahrak-Gharb District in Tehran as a case study. ‘Introduction of chemical pollutants into the sewers’ and ‘drastic changes in wastewater quality’ were identified as the most threatening crises for the district and the ‘risk reduction strategy’ was proposed for combating the critical conditions in this district.

Keywords

Main Subjects

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Journal of Water and Wastewater; Ab va Fazilab ( in persian )
Volume 26, Issue 4 - Serial Number 4
Serial number: 98
September and October 2015
Pages 74-87

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