In this study, three groups of factors affecting WSS were considered including, (1) Policies and mechanisms factors, (2) Water demand factors and (3) Natural factors. Fuzzy analytic hierarchy process method was applied to quantify the factors which influence WSS. The input data were collected by means of face-to-face interviews with water resources experts. | Asian Journal of Scientific Research OPEN ACCESS ISSN 1992-1454 DOI: Research Article Prioritization of Factors Impacting on Water Security using Analytic Hierarchy Process Method 1 Tran Thi Lan Huong, 2Nguyen Truc Le, 2Do Anh Duc and 3Nguyen Xuan Long 1 Institute for Africa and Middle East studies, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, 37 Kim Ma Thuong, Ba Dinh Street, Hanoi, Vietnam University of Economics and Business, Vietnam National University, 144 Xuan Thuy, Hanoi, Vietnam 3 University of Languages and International Studies, Vietnam National University, Pham Van Dong Road, Hanoi, Vietnam 2 Abstract Background and Objective: Water Source Security (WSS) is one of the key challenges for many countries due to climate change, limited water supply and growing water demand. The objective of this study was to find out the important factors which influence the security of water sources in the mainstream of the Da River, Vietnam. Materials and Methods: In this study, three groups of factors affecting WSS were considered including, (1) Policies and mechanisms factors, (2) Water demand factors and (3) Natural factors. Fuzzy analytic hierarchy process method was applied to quantify the factors which influence WSS. The input data were collected by means of face-to-face interviews with water resources experts. Results: The results show that the group of natural factors were the most affecting group to water security, followed by the group of mechanism and policy factors and group of water demand factors. Conclusion: This study has found out the most affecting group to WSS using the fuzzy AHP approach. The results obtained from this study may serve as a reference for policy makers in water resources management. Key words: Analytic hierarchy process, water source security, water resources management, fuzzy numbers, Da river, factors Received: April 13, 2017 Accepted: May 26, 2017 Published: June 15, 2017 Citation: Tran Thi Lan Huong, Nguyen
