The Use of AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process) as Multi Criteria Decision Tool for the Selection of Best Water Supply Source for Benin City

Abstract

This paper analysis the potential of using Analytical hierarchy process (AHP) as an analytical tool in multi criteria decision analysis, to identify the best water supply source for Benin City. The water supply sources available in Benin are Rainfall, Ground Water, Surface Water and Storm Water Runoff. In order to compare characteristics and rank the four major water supply source, expert advice was solicited, structured questionnaires administered, and a set of criterions was derived that would be used in evaluation procedure. The following set of criterions was adopted: Cost, Availability, Ease of distribution, Accessibility, Sustainability, Quality. In analysing the pairwise comparative judgments in this study, Ground Water was the most important alternative as it had the highest score of 0.4130 in the computation of the weighted average, making Ground Water the best water supply source for Benin City.