Waste load allocation using non-dominated archiving multi-colony ant algorithm

The optimal Waste Load Allocation (WLA) problem, in general, is a mathematical model incorporating a water quality simulator within the framework of multi objective optimization. The goals are defined to improve the water quality and minimize the total treatment cost of dischargers. The fraction removal levels of dischargers are the decision variables. This paper explores the capabilities of Ant Colony algorithms to solve the optimal Waste Load Allocation as a multi-objective optimization problem. We use QUAL2K as a water quality simulator and a powerful ant colony algorithm known as Non-dominated Archiving Multi-colony Ant Algorithm (NA-ACO). The applicability of the model is demonstrated through a hypothetical case example. Results’ location near global optima demonstrates the suitable performance of applied algorithm.