Cost-effectiveness analysis for sustainable wastewater engineering and water re...

• Author(s): Costa, Sérgio ; Coutinho, L. ; Brito, A. G. ; Nogueira, R. ; Machado, A. Patrícia ; Salas, J. J. ; Póvoa, C.
• Date: 2009
• Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/1822/10308
• Origin: RepositóriUM - Universidade do Minho
• Subject(s): Cost-effectiveness analysis; Sustainable wastewater treatment; Water economics; Water Framework Directive (WFD)
• Document Type: Article
• Language: English

Description

A cost-effectiveness integrated methodology applied in a water resources management and sanitation project in Minho and Lima’s region (Portugal) is presented. First, environmental objectives and programmes of measures (PM) are established and priorities are identified using a cause–effect assessment matrix and a global effectiveness index. Aiming to achieve more demanding goals, some complementary actions are considered, including “decentralized low-energy wastewater treatment plants construction”. A geographic information system was used to select potential implementation sites, and suitable treatment processes for each location are identified. The centralized and decentralized wastewater treatment plants combination is promising, achieving a cost-effectiveness attendance of €1510/equivalent-inhabitant in Minho–Lima river basins.