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Shared Urban Greywater Recycling Systems: Water Resource Savings and Economic Investment

Author

Listed:
  • Sara Moslemi Zadeh

    (Civil Engineering/College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B152TT, UK)

  • Dexter V.L. Hunt

    (Civil Engineering/College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B152TT, UK)

  • D. Rachel Lombardi

    (International Synergies, 44 Imperial Court, Kings Norton Business Centre, Pershore Road South, Birmingham B30 3ES, UK)

  • Christopher D.F. Rogers

    (Civil Engineering/College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B152TT, UK)

Abstract

The water industry is becoming increasingly aware of the risks associated with urban supplies not meeting demands by 2050. Greywater (GW) recycling for non-potable uses (e.g., urinal and toilet flushing) provides an urban water management strategy to help alleviate this risk by reducing main water demands. This paper proposes an innovative cross connected system that collects GW from residential buildings and recycles it for toilet/urinal flushing in both residential and office buildings. The capital cost (CAPEX), operational cost (OPEX) and water saving potential are calculated for individual and shared residential and office buildings in an urban mixed-use regeneration area in the UK, assuming two different treatment processes; a membrane bioreactor (MBR) and a vertical flow constructed wetland (VFCW). The Net Present Value (NPV) method was used to compare the financial performance of each considered scenario, from where it was found that a shared GW recycling system (MBR) was the most economically viable option. The sensitivity of this financial model was assessed, considering four parameters ( i.e. , water supply and sewerage charges, discount rate(s), service life and improved technological efficiency, e.g., low flush toilets, low shower heads, etc .), from where it was found that shared GW systems performed best in the long-term.

Suggested Citation

  • Sara Moslemi Zadeh & Dexter V.L. Hunt & D. Rachel Lombardi & Christopher D.F. Rogers, 2013. "Shared Urban Greywater Recycling Systems: Water Resource Savings and Economic Investment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 5(7), pages 1-26, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:5:y:2013:i:7:p:2887-2912:d:26906
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. G. Tjandraatmadja & A. Sharma & T. Grant & F. Pamminger, 2013. "A Decision Support Methodology for Integrated Urban Water Management in Remote Settlements," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 27(2), pages 433-449, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Rosaria E.C. Amaral & Joel Brito & Matt Buckman & Elicia Drake & Esther Ilatova & Paige Rice & Carlos Sabbagh & Sergei Voronkin & Yewande S. Abraham, 2020. "Waste Management and Operational Energy for Sustainable Buildings: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-21, July.
    2. María J. López-Serrano & Fida Hussain Lakho & Stijn W.H. Van Hulle & Ana Batlles-delaFuente, 2023. "Life cycle cost assessment and economic analysis of a decentralized wastewater treatment to achieve water sustainability within the framework of circular economy," Oeconomia Copernicana, Institute of Economic Research, vol. 14(1), pages 103-133, March.
    3. Nancey Green Leigh & Heonyeong Lee, 2019. "Sustainable and Resilient Urban Water Systems: The Role of Decentralization and Planning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-17, February.
    4. Francesco Cappa & Fausto Del Sette & Darren Hayes & Federica Rosso, 2016. "How to Deliver Open Sustainable Innovation: An Integrated Approach for a Sustainable Marketable Product," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-14, December.
    5. Julian Canto-Perello & Maria P. Martinez-Garcia & Jorge Curiel-Esparza & Manuel Martin-Utrillas, 2015. "Implementing Sustainability Criteria for Selecting a Roof Assembly Typology in Medium Span Buildings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(6), pages 1-18, May.

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