The Influence of Seasonality on the Economic Efficiency of Wastewater Treatment Plants

Abstract

Many tourist areas are often characterized with seasonal water demand. The influence of seasonality on water management is more intensive in the context of water scarcity. Thus the use of so-called non-conventional water resources in these areas becomes a key aspect. In this sense, efficient performance, both in technical and cost terms, favors water reuse possibilities and, therefore, increases the supply of non-conventional resources. In tourist areas, seasonality is a determining factor in the efficiency of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) as these are operating at full capacity only during the summer season while the rest of the year they have under-utilization problems. Using the Free Disposal Hull (FDH) methodology, this paper analyzes the efficiency differences between those WWTPs located in tourist areas with strong seasonality, in relation to those located in non-tourist areas. Moreover, the efficiency of WWTPs with extended aeration technology has been determined, as well as the efficiency of plants with activated sludge processing.