Economies of Scale and Efficiency in the Wastewater Treatment Sector: A Decision Tree Approach
In this study, we use the efficiency analysis trees (EAT) model to evaluate the efficiency of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), focusing on identifying the key variables that enhance their performance. While traditional methods consider factors such as the plant size, age, and technology, the EAT...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| author | Vicent Hernández-Chover Águeda Bellver-Domingo Lledó Castellet-Viciano Francesc Hernández-Sancho |
| author_facet | Vicent Hernández-Chover Águeda Bellver-Domingo Lledó Castellet-Viciano Francesc Hernández-Sancho |
| author_sort | Vicent Hernández-Chover |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In this study, we use the efficiency analysis trees (EAT) model to evaluate the efficiency of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), focusing on identifying the key variables that enhance their performance. While traditional methods consider factors such as the plant size, age, and technology, the EAT model improves the precision of and reduces errors in the efficiency estimation process. The results highlight the significance of facility size, particularly in areas with smaller populations, suggesting that economies of scale can play a crucial role in optimizing treatment processes. Centralizing the sector could lead to cost savings through ensuring better resource allocation and more effective management strategies. This study provides insights into how facility dimensions impact efficiency, aiding in strategic planning for wastewater treatment operations. The novelty of this study pertains to its implementation of the EAT model to assess efficiency from an economic point of view. Specifically, this makes it possible to identify which facility dimensions ensure better performance and, consequently, will help operators to establish criteria for intervention and geographical planning, both technically and economically. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d55a97ce00c444d78a746f7345aec834 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-d55a97ce00c444d78a746f7345aec8342025-08-20T02:09:14ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-03-01157342310.3390/app15073423Economies of Scale and Efficiency in the Wastewater Treatment Sector: A Decision Tree ApproachVicent Hernández-Chover0Águeda Bellver-Domingo1Lledó Castellet-Viciano2Francesc Hernández-Sancho3Water Economics Group, International Institute of Local Development (IILD-WATER), University of Valencia, C/Serpis 29, 46022 Valencia, SpainWater Economics Group, International Institute of Local Development (IILD-WATER), University of Valencia, C/Serpis 29, 46022 Valencia, SpainWater Economics Group, International Institute of Local Development (IILD-WATER), University of Valencia, C/Serpis 29, 46022 Valencia, SpainWater Economics Group, International Institute of Local Development (IILD-WATER), University of Valencia, C/Serpis 29, 46022 Valencia, SpainIn this study, we use the efficiency analysis trees (EAT) model to evaluate the efficiency of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), focusing on identifying the key variables that enhance their performance. While traditional methods consider factors such as the plant size, age, and technology, the EAT model improves the precision of and reduces errors in the efficiency estimation process. The results highlight the significance of facility size, particularly in areas with smaller populations, suggesting that economies of scale can play a crucial role in optimizing treatment processes. Centralizing the sector could lead to cost savings through ensuring better resource allocation and more effective management strategies. This study provides insights into how facility dimensions impact efficiency, aiding in strategic planning for wastewater treatment operations. The novelty of this study pertains to its implementation of the EAT model to assess efficiency from an economic point of view. Specifically, this makes it possible to identify which facility dimensions ensure better performance and, consequently, will help operators to establish criteria for intervention and geographical planning, both technically and economically.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/7/3423corporate sustainabilitywastewater treatment plantefficiency analysis treesenvironmental economics |
| spellingShingle | Vicent Hernández-Chover Águeda Bellver-Domingo Lledó Castellet-Viciano Francesc Hernández-Sancho Economies of Scale and Efficiency in the Wastewater Treatment Sector: A Decision Tree Approach Applied Sciences corporate sustainability wastewater treatment plant efficiency analysis trees environmental economics |
| title | Economies of Scale and Efficiency in the Wastewater Treatment Sector: A Decision Tree Approach |
| title_full | Economies of Scale and Efficiency in the Wastewater Treatment Sector: A Decision Tree Approach |
| title_fullStr | Economies of Scale and Efficiency in the Wastewater Treatment Sector: A Decision Tree Approach |
| title_full_unstemmed | Economies of Scale and Efficiency in the Wastewater Treatment Sector: A Decision Tree Approach |
| title_short | Economies of Scale and Efficiency in the Wastewater Treatment Sector: A Decision Tree Approach |
| title_sort | economies of scale and efficiency in the wastewater treatment sector a decision tree approach |
| topic | corporate sustainability wastewater treatment plant efficiency analysis trees environmental economics |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/7/3423 |
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