WaterSim 5.0, a systems dynamics model for estimating water supply and demand, helps users visualize the influence of multiple factors on water resources and the impact of water supplies on local economies and quality of life. Originally designed to assist Phoenix, Arizona civil and environmental engineers, planners, and policymakers address future water requirements, the program is available to the public online.

Source: PexelsResearchers at Arizona State University started developing WaterSim in 2007. The Decision Center for a Desert City (DCDS), a project of ASU’s Global Sustainability institute, developed the original program to estimate water demand for the Phoenix metropolitan area.

High-level variables included in the model include water supply, water demand, climate change, population growth and policy decisions. Data ranges from groundwater withdrawal to agricultural acreage to water consumption by farms, industry and homes. Much of the data comes from U.S. government sources.

In collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, ASU created WaterSim America, an educational project currently touring five states (Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Minnesota and Wyoming) as part of the “Water/Ways” exhibit. Participants in the interactive experience can change data inputs — for example, increasing water use by agriculture, or shunting water away from industry to residences — to visualize the effect of the changes on a region’s water availability and the economy.