Multi-preference based interval fuzzy-credibility optimization for planning the management of multiple water resources with multiple water-receiving cities under uncertainty

Abstract This study aims to develop a multi-preference based interval fuzzy-credibility constrained programming (MIFCP) approach for planning the regional-scale water-resources management system (RWMS) of Henan Province, China. This is the first attempt at planning RWMS through combining interval parameter programming (IPP), fuzzy-credibility constrained programming (FCP) and three diverse attitudes of decision makers in one framework. MIFCP cannot only address uncertainties expressed by interval and fuzzy information but also present multiple preferences of decision makers towards conservative, neutral and radical attitudes. Solutions of multiple water resources, multiple water-receiving cities and multiple water-using departments in association with multiple attitudes of decision makers and multiple credibility levels are examined. Results reveal that over the planning horizon the total water supply under α = 0.6 (i.e. the set of elements that belong to a fuzzy set of credibility level with degree of membership at least α) for a radically oriented decision maker can be 1.80 × 109 m3 higher than for the conservatively oriented decision maker. The obtained results also disclose that for the radically oriented decision maker, the proportion of water allocation for agriculture, industry, life and ecology during the entire horizon under α = 0.2 can respectively be 47.11 %, 22.45 %, 18.68 % and 11.76 %. These findings cannot only provide insights for Henan Province but also provide theoretical suggestions for other study regions.