Development and application of a software, EQUITA for equitable water distribution in canal command areas

Abstract

The principle of equitable water distribution is to supply predetermined quantity of water at scheduled time. The equity may be on the basis of distribution of operating time of outlets and volume of water in proportion to the size of holding, or in proportion to the requirements of beneficiaries. Software EQUITA was developed to prepare rosters for equitable water distribution in outlet command areas, within the overall framework of rotational· water distribution system. Different levels of equity require different amount of data regarding beneficiaries, their land holdings, watercourses, conveyance losses and the crops grown. The developed software EQUITA can be used to prepare rosters for water distribution for beneficiaries of outlet command areas to achieve desired equity, based on the availability of data.