Optimal spatio-temporal design for water quality monitoring networks in maximizing economic value of information

Abstract

The Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC draw attention to Water Quality Monitoring Networks (WQMN) that allows the acquisition of information regarding water streams. Information could be acquired by a spatial and/or temporal approach. However, there is a cost for monitoring water quality. Hence, to determine the spatio-temporal design of the network, the Economic Value of Information must be known to undertake a cost-benefit analysis. In this study, we show how the calculation of the EVOI can help the network manager to answer questions such as: is the cost of monitoring justified? How to allocate a budget between adding a monitoring station or increasing the frequency of measurement of existing stations?