Sensitivity Analysis of a Nonlinear Water Pollution Control Model Using an Upper Hudson River Data Base

The sensitivity of the optimal waste treatment cost of a water pollution control model is analyzed. This analysis is conducted for the policy mandating a fixed dissolved oxygen requirement, using an upper Hudson River data base Details concerning the formulation, solution, and sensitivity analysis of the model are presented. It is shown that the maximum allowable dissolved oxygen deficit is unequivocally the parameter to which the optimal waste treatment cost is most sensitive. All of the many parameters involved in the model are analyzed and, relative to stipulated assumptions, are shown to have from significant to negligible impact on the waste treatment cost.