An agent-based modelling for evaluation of water bank's buyback program

Leading towards sustainable water use and optimal allocation of water resources, water banks are efficient institutions. Water banks facilitate the trade of surface water and groundwater and engender water security. This study develops a couple agent-based groundwater model in NetLogo platform to assess economic and hydrologic impacts of water buyback programs in framework of a water bank institution. Rafsanjan Plain which faces serious problems due to water shortage, is selected as case study where the developed model is applied. Results show that buyback programs can temporarily ameliorate the condition of the Rafsanjan Aquifer, but there is a need for some other measures, like cap-and-trade policy, in conjunction with buyback program. Because of the buyback program, the drawdown of aquifer's unit hydrograph reduces from 80 to 58 cm per year. Moreover, the water bank improves the economic situation of the area as it increases the farmers' net benefit by 6 percent.