APPLICATION OF COST CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS

Analysis of economic data relative to existing and planned municipal wastewater treatment plants in Greece. Budgeting future plants taking cost of construction (capital recovery factor), operation and maintenance into consideration as well as land usage and life cycle analysis of plants, personnel cost and cost of energy which are major contributors. A cost-effectiveness analysis is carried out to determine the optimum economically viable solution as the selection criterion. It is determined that under high energy costs and low level of automation and operation, activated sludge systems are relatively not cost effective.