Enhancing water security: assessing technology operation capabilities in clean water facilities using MCDM approach

Ensuring water security is critical, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions. This study explores the assessment of technology operation capabilities in clean water facilities, aiming to enhance water security through improved operational performance. An innovative, integrated approach is proposed, combining Spherical Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (SF-AHP) and Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) methods to evaluate the critical criteria related to the technology operation capabilities of clean water plants. SF-AHP is employed to assess the significance of seven key criteria, whereas DEMATEL identifies the influence relationships between these criteria, revealing the drivers and dependencies within the system. A case study of clean water facilities in Hanoi, Vietnam, was employed to validate the proposed models. The results highlight that the capability to operate technology safely according to the design capacity ranks highly in both methods, confirming its priority in terms of both importance and influence. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers and facility managers, offering a framework for improving the operational resilience and sustainability of clean water facilities, thereby contributing to enhanced water security amidst socio-economic and environmental challenges.