Developing a Water, Food, Energy, Economy, and Environment Nexus Index for Evaluating Centralized and Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems

IF 1.5 Q4 ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL

Environmental Quality Management Pub Date : 2024-12-12 DOI:10.1002/tqem.22344

Ghazaleh Bahman, Hamed Yazdian

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

In addressing the complex challenges of sustainable development, the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus underscores the critical role of wastewater management. This study evaluates centralized and decentralized wastewater treatment systems using the innovative Water-Energy-Food-Economy-Environment Nexus Index (WEFEENI). Centralized systems are traditionally favored in urban settings due to economies of scale, yet they encounter high costs and environmental impacts. In contrast, decentralized systems offer flexibility and lower operational costs, making them suitable for less populated regions. Our findings reveal that decentralized systems significantly reduce energy consumption by 72.88%, investment costs by 52.01%, and operating costs by 87.98%, while also lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Although centralized systems excel in food production and annual income, decentralized systems perform better in water and energy productivity, green space development, and aquifer recharge. The study highlights the importance of adopting a holistic approach, tailored to specific contexts and priorities, to achieve sustainable wastewater management.

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开发用于评估集中式和分散式废水处理系统的水、食品、能源、经济和环境关联指数

在应对可持续发展的复杂挑战时，水-能源-粮食（WEF）关系强调了废水管理的关键作用。本研究利用创新的水-能源-粮食-经济-环境关系指数（WEFEENI）对集中式和分散式污水处理系统进行了评估。由于规模经济，集中式系统在城市环境中历来受到青睐，但其成本和环境影响也很高。相比之下，分散式系统具有灵活性和较低的运营成本，因此适合人口较少的地区。我们的研究结果表明，分散式系统能显著降低 72.88% 的能耗、52.01% 的投资成本和 87.98% 的运营成本，同时还能减少温室气体排放。虽然集中式系统在粮食生产和年收入方面表现突出，但分散式系统在水和能源生产率、绿地开发和含水层补给方面表现更好。这项研究强调了采用适合具体情况和优先事项的整体方法来实现可持续废水管理的重要性。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Environmental Quality Management Environmental Science-Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

CiteScore

2.20

自引率

0.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： Four times a year, this practical journal shows you how to improve environmental performance and exceed voluntary standards such as ISO 14000. In each issue, you"ll find in-depth articles and the most current case studies of successful environmental quality improvement efforts -- and guidance on how you can apply these goals to your organization. Written by leading industry experts and practitioners, Environmental Quality Management brings you innovative practices in Performance Measurement...Life-Cycle Assessments...Safety Management... Environmental Auditing...ISO 14000 Standards and Certification..."Green Accounting"...Environmental Communication...Sustainable Development Issues...Environmental Benchmarking...Global Environmental Law and Regulation.