Technical efficiency and cost analysis in wastewater treatment processes: A DEA approach

In light of the growing importance of water reuse as an alternative source of water resources in many regional areas, the objective of this paper is to analyse the efficiency of wastewater treatment plants as a basic requisite to improve the potential of the water reuse. The analytical benchmarking...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Desalination Vol. 249; no. 1; pp. 230 - 234
Main Authors: Hernández-Sancho, Francesc, Sala-Garrido, Ramón
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 30.11.2009
Elsevier
Subjects:
Applications of mathematics to chemical engineering. Modeling. Simulation. Optimization
Applied sciences
Benchmarking methodology
Chemical engineering
Computational efficiency
Computing time
Cost analysis
Cost structure
DEA models
Efficiency
Exact sciences and technology
General purification processes
Mathematical analysis
Mathematical models
Methodology
Pollution
Reuse
Sewerage works: sewers, sewage treatment plants, outfalls
Wastewater
Wastewater treatment
Wastewaters
Water reuse
Water treatment and pollution
Spain, Valencia
Spain
Benchmarking methodology
DEA models
Wastewater
Cost structure
Efficiency
Water reuse
Water treatment
Reuse
Maintenance
Modeling
Indicator
Sewage treatment plant
Waste water
Cost analysis
Waste water purification
Mathematical programming
ISSN:0011-9164, 1873-4464
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:In light of the growing importance of water reuse as an alternative source of water resources in many regional areas, the objective of this paper is to analyse the efficiency of wastewater treatment plants as a basic requisite to improve the potential of the water reuse. The analytical benchmarking methodology Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is used to calculate efficiency measurements. An efficiency index is obtained for each plant by means of mathematical programming techniques, aiming to minimise the inputs used in the water treatment process. This indicator is used as a reference to analyse plants' activity through a series of variables including the size of the plant or its cost structure. Given the importance of wastewater treatment in the Valencia Region (Spain), empirical research has been carried out for 338 plants located in this area. We verify the fact that the largest plants run more efficiently than smaller plants, as was to be expected. At the same time, there is evidence that a series of representative variables in the treatment process are clearly linked to efficiency. Maintenance and waste management costs are the most important factors to explain the differences between plants in terms of efficiency. Finally, the benchmarking methodology (Data Envelopment Analysis) is confirmed as a very useful management tool for the study of wastewater sector.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-2
content type line 23
ObjectType-Article-2
ObjectType-Feature-1
ISSN:0011-9164
1873-4464
DOI:10.1016/j.desal.2009.01.029