Many regions are facing formidable freshwater management challenges. Allocation of limited water resources, environmental quality and policies for sustainable water use are issues of increasing concern. Conventional supply-oriented simulation models are not always adequate.
Over the last decade, an integrated approach to water development has emerged that places water supply projects in the context of demand-side issues, water quality and ecosystem preservation and protection. WEAP incorporates these values into a practical tool for water resources planning.
WEAP is distinguished by its integrated approach to simulating water systems and by its policy orientation. WEAP places the demand side of the equation – water use patterns, equipment efficiencies, reuse, costs and allocation – on an equal footing with the supply side – streamflow, groundwater, reservoirs and water transfers. WEAP thus provides a laboratory for examining alternative water development and management strategies.
WEAP is comprehensive, straightforward and easy-to-use, and attempts to assist rather than substitute for the skilled planner. As a database, WEAP provides a system for maintaining water demand and supply information. As a forecasting tool, WEAP simulates water demand, supply, runoff, streamflows, storage, pollution generation, treatment and discharge, and instream water quality. As a policy analysis tool, WEAP evaluates a full range of water development and management options, and takes into account multiple and competing uses of water systems.
To see a full list of publications that use WEAP – including those produced outside of SEI – see the publications page of the external WEAP website.
The Sacramento Water Allocation Model, known as SacWAM, mimics one of the most complex water systems in the US.
- SEI briefs
- Water
- 7 May 2019
- California
Policy-makers can now model the effect of management options on the availability of habitat and the viability of aquatic species.
- SEI briefs
- Water
- 6 May 2019
- California
RDS helps stakeholders create a shared mental model of available opportunities and potential trade-offs for various objectives.
- SEI briefs
- Water
- 6 May 2019
- California
SEI researchers used the Gridded Meteorological Ensemble Tool for a water balance study in Bolivia, marking the first time the tool was applied outside the US.
- SEI briefs
- Water
- 7 March 2019
- Bolivia
This paper describes the development of poverty-related indicators in SEI's Water Evaluation And Planning (WEAP) tool.
- SEI working papers
- Water
- 1 August 2018
- Colombia
An overview of the development scenarios for Rwanda SEI researchers co-created with stakeholders and explored using the LEAP and WEAP tools.
- SEI reports
- Water
- Energy
- 31 May 2018
- Rwanda
- Sub-Saharan Africa
This study examines how the continued development of hydroelectric dams could affect one of the largest wetland systems in South America.
- Journal articles
- Water
- 8 May 2018
- Colombia
This paper evaluates a coupled water planning and crop model for irrigated agriculture that researchers deployed in Yolo County, California.
- Journal articles
- Water
- 2 October 2017
- United States
This document draws on SEI experience with WEAP and LEAP to provide guidance for mainstreaming gender and social equity issues into modelling studies
- Other publications
- Energy
- Water
- Gender
- 30 April 2017
- SEI reports
- Climate
- Energy
- Water
- 28 December 2016
- Middle East and North Africa
- Journal articles
- Water
- 2 November 2016
- California
- Other publications
- Water
- Governance
- 26 April 2016
- Israel
- Jordan
- Palestine
- Syria
- SEI briefs
- Energy
- Water
- 11 September 2015
- Colombia
- Journal articles
- Energy
- Water
- 21 July 2015
- United States
- Journal articles
- Energy
- Water
- Land
- 6 February 2015
- Ethiopia
- Feature
- Water
- Governance
- Land
- 25 August 2016
- United States
21 of California’s groundwater basins and sub-basins are critically overdrafted. We must break entrenched positions and find sustainable solutions.
- Perspective
- Water
- Governance
- 3 November 2015
- California
- Feature
- 2 September 2015
- Feature
- 27 August 2012
- SEI-US Water Program Director
- SEI US
- @MEscobar_Agua
- Centre Director
- SEI Latin America
- @dpurkey1
- Scientist
- SEI US
- Scientist
- SEI US
- Scientist
- SEI US
- Senior Scientist
- SEI US
- @ahuberlee
- Senior Scientist
- SEI US
- Senior Scientist
- SEI US
- Senior Scientist
- SEI US
- Senior Scientist
- SEI US
- @cyoung_sei
The Sacramento Water Allocation Model enables policy-makers to weigh difficult trade-offs in water use, by simulating a complex water system in the US.
- Project
- Water
- 2014
- California
SEI adapted WEAP to assess the needs of chinook salmon and steelhead trout in the Santa Clara Valley Water District.
- Project
- Water
- 2015
- California
SEI worked with the Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District to produce a Stormwater Resources Plan.
- Project
- Water
- 2017 - 2018
- California