| Summary: | A multi-criteria analysis (MCA) with benefit–cost analysis (BCA) is introduced to evaluate water allocation options for a highly urbanized river basin. The MCA framework comprises the triple-bottom lines of social, economical, and environmental dimensions, taking into consideration the basin water availability represented using the water resources index (WRI). MIKE HYDRO Basin model is deployed to simulate a 50-year drought, where reduced water allocation options are considered when reservoir storage drops below the threshold. For each option, the simulated minimum WRI value represents the residual water availability, and the change in WRI represents the “cost” of the option which translates to reduced water availability. Benefit function curves describe the impact, hence benefit level, of each option on the three dimensions considered. The simulation results are analyzed using TOPSIS algorithm to determine the option which yields the highest basin-wide benefit and optimum benefit–cost ratio. The approach is implemented on the Klang River basis, Malaysia, as part of the national water balance study. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2023.
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