Waste water purification in Italy: costs and structure of the Technology.

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Title:

Waste water purification in Italy: costs and structure of the Technology.

Description:

WP 02/2001; This work examines the purification processes of urban waste waters in Italy, with reference to costs and technology. The operating cost function of 103 plants shows that an increase in the sizes of the smaller ones generates strong economies of scale. A minimum efficient size at about 100,000 inhabitants, however, inhibits the creation of large monopolies at a local level and allows to maintain indirect competition. Among the explanatory variables of the costs, the pollution load of the waste water takes on a high statistical significance and suggests environmental prevention. The recent introduction of advanced treatments is expensive, but their costs are balanced by a notable improvement in the pureness of the effluent. As for general environmental policies, it is necessary to find good compromise between the need to improve the effectiveness of the existing plants and the investments in areas where the water purification service is still inexistent.

Publisher:

CNR Ceris

Date:

2001

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