Response to reviewers

Reviewer 1
The authors should ask the help of native English speaking proof reader, because there are some
linguistic mistakes that should be fixed.
- More suitable title should be selected for the article.
Corrected
- The abstract should state briefly the purpose of the research, the principal results and major
conclusions. An abstract is often presented separately from the article, so it must be able to stand
alone.
Corrected
As integral part of sustainable urban planning, the supply-demand for energy and water should
be addressed. It is specifically important to understand how expected scenarios regarding socio-
economic growth can be translated into corresponding future water-energy (WE) usage patterns.
This paper developed the long-term WE demand relating the past WE consumption with such
scenarios using linear regression (LR) model with a help of Waikato Environment for
Knowledge Analysis (WEKA) tool. The LR model performance indices are evaluated and as
well as the most influential scenario or drivers were identified for WE sectors. In addition, the
alternative supply intervention was quantified to meet the future WE demand. Consequently, the
total Water-Energy demand of the city was predicted for the years 2030 and 2050. Energy
demand including residential, street-lighting, commercial and industrial sectors was estimated to
be around 14,000 and 53,000 GWh for the two years respectively. These years’ predicted water
demand including residential, commercial and industrial sectors was 400 and 680 million-cubic-
meters. The energy saved by efficient energy technologies was 53 and 102 Peta Joule (PJ) in
2030 and 2050 respectively and whereas water saving in 2050 was about 650 MCM. In 2030 and
2050 the water supply-demand balance index is around 2 and 1 respectively, this shows the water
demand will be met for respective years. For similar years, the energy supply-balance after the
intervention become around 0.9 and 0.7. The study results clearly predicted future water-energy
demand of Addis Ababa city with the supply suggestion on the comprehensive form.

The major defect of this study is the debate or Argument is not clear stated in the introduction
session. Hence, the contribution is weak in this manuscript. I would suggest the author to
enhance your theoretical discussion and arrives your debate or argument.
Incorporated
- The necessity and innovation of the article should be presented to the introduction.
Corrected
- It is suggested to present the structure of the article at the end of the introduction.
Corrected
- Following, you will find some new related references which should be added to literature
review:
Hussain & Al-Fatlawi. Remove Chemical Contaminants from Potable Water by Household
Water Treatment System;
Incorporated
Water is fundamental for life in terms of quantity and quality. Most available water sources are
surface water or groundwater. Surface water considered an essential source for water supply in
many improving countries [42].

Kim et al. Utilization of Microalgae in Aquaculture System: Biological Wastewater Treatment.

Water supply challenge can be occurred due to water pollution which is emerged as an important
environmental issue; thus, concern for wastewater management has grown concurrently [43].
- It is suggested to compare the results of the present research with some similar studies which is
done before.
- Page 8: the following paragraph is unclear, so please reorganize that:
“A low-flow retrofit is a package of water saving devices that can assist residents to save water
at home and typically includes low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, and other applicable
retrofit items. The distribution of lowflow retrofit can accelerate the natural conversion of less
efficient plumbing fixtures.”
Corrected

- More suitable title should be selected for the figure 6 instead of “Water supply surplus and
deficit”.
Corrected
- A map should be presented for the study area. It is suggested to show the general location and
then in 2 or 3 step show the exact location.
The location of the study area is shown in Figure.
Figure. Location map of Addis Ababa city in Ethiopia

Corrected

- It is suggested to add articles entitled “Tsanov et al. Water Stress Mitigation in the Vit River
Basin Based on WEAP and MatLab Simulation”, “Obianyo, J. I. Effect of Salinity on
Evaporation and the Water Cycle” and “Kansoh et al. Computing the Water Budget Components
for Lakes by Using Meteorological Data” to the literature review.
Most of the approaches to water scarcity mitigation address its complexity, taking into account
the spatial and temporal characteristics of the water resources, as well as their imperative
environmental and socio-economic aspects [44]. The estimation of water budget components is
important for water resources management, development and optimizing water resources [45].
- A flowchart should be added to the article to show the research methodology.
The study framework that investigates the interactions between supply and demand of water-
energy for designing strategies in support of the decision making is indicated in Figure.
Figure. Framework of WE supply and demand analysis

- Much more explanations and interpretations must be added for the results, which are not
enough.
Incorporated
- Please make sure your conclusions' section underscore the scientific value added of your paper,
and/or the applicability of your findings/results, as indicated previously. Please revise your
conclusion part into more details. Basically, you should enhance your contributions, limitations,
underscore the scientific value added of your paper, and/or the applicability of your
findings/results and future study in this session.
Incorporated
Water-energy scarcities are among the main problems that condition the livelihood of Addis
Ababa city inhabitants. To cope with these threats, a growing energy and water management are
advantages practices. This paper conducted sustainable water-energy supply and demand
analysis for Addis Ababa city by considering the socioeconomic and technology factors. The
energy conservation and demand management (ECDM) and water conservation and demand

Reviewer 2
Main comment is to check the grammar and insert references for some statements. Add source
for the tables, if they cited from somewhere else. Do not repeat the values in the table again in
the text. Explain the abbreviations, even it is common; line # 50, 56 in pg 1, line # 12 in pg 3,
line # 10 in pg 8, equation 11: what is ISEC, equation 15 to 18: what is N? What is Appendix A?
The growing population on the Addis Ababa city, high urbanization rates and higher affluence
stimulating consumption of water-energy (WE) are basic trends driving the future development
of impacts and city needs for WE supply. The Addis Ababa Water and Sewerage Authority
(AAWSA) have been implementing a program targeting the replacement of older plumbing
fixtures.
Regression is a model used to show the impact of basic parameters such as gross domestic
product (GDP), population growth, and per capita income (PCI) on the WE demand.
Appendix A indicates the governing equation and variable used to predict water-energy
consumption.

1. Title
a. Alteration would be fine. Remove the first sentence. Add the name of WEKA tool
as a second sentence.
Corrected
Urban Water-Energy Management-With a Focus on Predicting Demand Using Regression
Model in Addis Ababa City

2. Abstract
a. Couldn’t find the numerical results in the body such as the numbers in line # 28,
29, 30 and 34 in pg 1
Corrected
The energy saved by efficient energy technologies was 53 and 102 Peta Joule (PJ) in 2030 and
2050 respectively. The water saving by efficient technology in 2050 was about 650 MCM. In
2030 and 2050 the water supply-demand balance index is around 2 and 1 respectively, this shows
the water demand will be met for respective years. For similar years, the energy supply-balance
after the intervention become around 0.9 and 0.7.
 b. The supply demand balance index for 2030 is 2, not 1. It starts from 2035
In 2030 and 2050 the water supply-demand balance index is around 2 and 1 respectively, this
shows the water demand will be met for respective years.
3. Introduction
a. How many drivers? 3 or 4? (line # 42 in pg 1), 1. Population, 2. Per capita
income, 3. Gross domestic product and 4. Technology
The three basic socio-economic drives (population, per capita income, gross domestic product)
and technology….
b. Line # 45 in economic pg 1– City governors. Not the cities Governors
Corrected
c. Is there any other methods to predict WE demand other than regression models?
If so, write only names. (line # 7 in pg 2)
….. The regression models and time series methods are some of the traditional techniques. In
artificial intelligence (AI) based techniques, artificial neural network (ANN) is one of the most
popular models. An AI-based technique was mostly used for short-term forecasting demand [18].
Many variants of regression analyses can be found in the literature such as linear regression (LR)
or multiple linear regression (MLR), smooth transition autoregressive models, support vector
machines (SVM) and so on.
d. Line # 10 in pg 2 – rather than describing the variables, just write two variables
The regression model is the most popular implemented numeric predictions and a stochastic
approach for modeling the relationship between two variables [16]
e. 3rd paragraph in pg 2 represents which city?
The water supply system of the Addis Ababa city is characterized by a low output capacity,
inadequate networks and high system losses, high water use or high water demand, urbanization,
and high population [17].
f. Reference for the statement in pg 2 line # 19-21
Addis Ababa city has very limited resources of surface and groundwater which plays an
important role in the support of domestic needs and failure of whichever would result in a crisis
[19]. Hence, water supply is an important sustainable development, availability, adequacy of the
city water supply will be improved to achieve a sustainable goal (Butler, 2006). Water
management is the issue for sustainable development to maximize economy, secure production
and reduce environmental impacts (Savenije H. a., 2002).
g. Is it new water resources system or scheme in line # 23 in pg 2
The intervention in the water supply management focuses on expanding and diversifying a new
water supply sources which include maximizing stormwater storage through distributed water
harvesting structures and increasing existing water storage facilities.
 h. Reference for the statement in pg 2 line # 25-27
The intervention in the water supply management focuses on expanding and diversifying a new
water supply sources which include maximizing stormwater storage through distributed water
harvesting structures and increasing existing water storage facilities (Feilberg, 2016).

i. Divide the introduction to short titles

Corrected accordingly

4. Methodology
a. Too complex, some sections should go to introduction part
Corrected accordingly
b. Is the leakage is equal non-revenue water? line # 25 in pg 3
The NRW is the volume that includes the water losses and the consumed volume by the
authorized agents (e.g., social services, fire-fighting services). Leakage is real loss, whereas
NRW includes both leakage and apparent loss.

a. Central Statistical Agency in Addis Ababa or Ethiopia?? Line # 57 in pg 3

Socio-economic drivers including GDP and population were collected from the Bureau of
Finance and Economic Development (BoFED) and the Ethiopian Central Statistical Agency
(CSA)….
b. What is “Invalid source specified”. Line # 52, 54 and 60 in pg 5, Line # 7 in pg
Corrected
c. Is the 2020 data is planned or existing??
Data is existing…
d. Table 2 – After 2025 all the data are same. You can remove the next columns
Corrected
e. How do you get annual rainfall and average annual rainfall? Check the
calculations
Corrected
f. The rainfall in equation 4 should in mm?
Corrected
g. When writing the currency use internally recognized currency such as, USD with
the date of citing. Currency exchange rates differ with the time.
According to AAWSA, the charge of 0.15 USD per month was levied for the indirect financial
situations (indigent tariff); while an intermediate rate of 0.6 USD per month was charged for sub-
economic households from 2025-2050 [26]
5. Results and discussion
a. Where is the result for statement in line # 45-46 in pg 11
b. Is 2016 is projected data or hindcast data by the model?
It is the actual data……
c. There are same number for two scenarios Line # 8-14 in pg 12
Corrected
d. Discuss the figure 4 more
Within a five year interval (2025-2050), the energy growth rate for these sectors is 33-53%. The
growth rate for residential, commercial, industrial and street-lighting were 34-50%, 34-42%, 33-
46% and 46-53% respectively. Street-lighting indicates the highest energy demand growth rate,
whereas industrial sector showed the lowest growth rate. Energy demand growth rate will
decrease from 2030 to 2050 for commercial, industrial, residential and whereas from 2040-2050
for street-lighting (transport). The overall energy demand indicates the decrease in growth rate
(2025-2050).
e. How do you know the accuracy of the scenarios 2 and 3 Line # 43 in pg 14
Corrected
f. Where is the introduction for WCDM scenario
Corrected accordingly
g. There is missing word in line # 35 “ the conservation and <> billing system
Corrected

h. Where is the regression coefficients for 4th paragraph in pg 17

i. Check the numbering of tables
Corrected
6. Conclusion
a. Where is the results for accuracy of the model and how do you tell it achieves real
data? Is it for 2016 only?
The scenario used in WE consumption estimation was selected based on performance indices
(R2, MAE, RMSE, RAE). The modeling results showed RAE value of less than 10% for each
year of observed data and R2 of greater than 0.92, which indicates strong fitness to actual values.
The model results are consistent with the actual water data (2016-2020 and 2021-2027: AAWSA
plan) and energy data (2016-2020), which means that the model has achieved satisfactory levels
of accuracy and meets the actual predicting requirements. Thus, this model can served as a
baseline for the analysis of the supply of urban water and energy, and provide a foundation for
the development of WE planning strategies. Therefore, based on the baseline predicted water-
energy demand, different options of supply intervention were developed to improve the future
unmet demand.