Abstract
Since 2000, large numbers of water reuse systems have been constructed to solve the water scarcity in Beijing. However, the operations of these systems are not well as expected. The paper will conduct an analysis of economic and social impacts of water reuse systems in Beijing. The aim is to find out whether the systems have positive economic and social impacts or not. If the systems bring negative economic and social influence, it will demonstrate that the economic or social factors could be the reasons for the unsuccessful operations of water reuse system. The method of benefit cost analysis is carried out to estimate the economic cost, economic benefits, social cost, and social benefits of water reuse systems, and then a comparative analysis is implemented. Water reuse in Beijing mainly includes wastewater reuse and rainwater harvesting, which are studied separately in this study. Four wastewater reuse plants and three rainwater harvesting plants containing different sizes of plants are chosen for case study. The study determines that different sizes of water reuse systems have different results on benefits cost comparison. For small wastewater reuse plants, the economic and social benefits are more than cost; while for larger wastewater reuse plants, the economic and social benefits are less than the cost. Conversely, for small rainwater harvesting plants, the economic and social benefits are less than cost; while for large rainwater harvesting plants, the benefits are more than cost. Hence, from the respective of economic and social impacts, building small wastewater reuse plants are more feasible than large plants, while constructing large rainwater harvesting plants are more economically feasible. Key words: Beijin, water, waste, systems.
Highlights
As the Chinese political and financial center, Beijing has a large and increasing population
The economic benefits including all kinds of cost saving account for around 85% of total benefits, while for the large plants, the social benefits account for larger proportion of total benefits
For the small plants, the social benefits are larger than the social cost; for the large plants, the social benefits are smaller than the social cost
Summary
As the Chinese political and financial center, Beijing has a large and increasing population. Beijing is located in the arid area of China. Rapid urbanization and climate change lead to serious water scarcity in Beijing. Arid regions around the globe are most often associated with physical scarcity. Northern China, including Beijing is an area of physical water scarcity (Seckler et al, 1998). Beijing’s climate is semi-humid monsoonal with a mean annual temperature of 10 to 12 centigrade. Northwest and west shield the city from the encroaching desert steppes.
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