Da Re, Adriana Eleanora Ernesta, "An Expert System for Groundwater Supply Protection and Management"

This thesis describes the development of a novel expert system for the protection and management of public water supply wells. A methodology for well protection is also presented providing, the structure for the overall expert system application. The system addresses three issues basic to the development of protection areas: the extent of the protection area; the existing and potential sources of pollution; and the regulatory and nonregulatory techniques for protecting, the water supply. The suitability of the expert system technology for the groundwater protection problem is examined and a prototype system is designed and implemented. This development effort provides a methodology for the design of future expert system applications in this area.

The prototype system captures knowledge in the area of groundwater protection and uses it to provide information and recommendations for establishing well protection areas. Hydrogeological data and land use information provided by the user of the pro-ram are used to determine the extent of the protection area and identify potential pollution threats to the groundwater supply. The prototype system addresses protection against microbial contamination in unconfined porous media aquifers and is operational for one main path in the decision process. Other components of the expert system are discussed theoretically and mapped out in the system structure.

The computer application was built on an IBM compatible personal computer using KnowledgePro Windows, a development tool for Microsoft Windows. A graphical user interface and hypertext were incorporated into the design of the expert system. The graphical interface enhances communication with the program while the hypertext allows the user to access computer screens containing further information.

The run-time version of the program and knowledge base files containing the source code are located on the computer disk provided with this thesis.

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This document was last modified on November 30, 2000.