The Role of Risk Analysis in Water Resources Engineering

Uncertainties and the conse quent related risks in water resources engineering design and operation are unavoidable. Water resources projects are always subject to a probability of failure in achieving their intended purposes. As an example, a flood control project may not protect an area from extreme flo ods. A w ater supp ly project may n ot deliver demanded w ater. This failure may be due to failure of the delivery system or may be due to lack of supply. A water distribution system may not deliver water meeting quality standards even though the source q uality doe s. The ration al in the selection of the design and operation parameters and the design and operation standards are continually questioned. Water resource engineering design and operation procedures do not involve any required assessment and quantification of uncertainties and the resultant evaluation of a risk.