Centralized Wastewater Reuse versus Decentralized Wastewater Reuse: A Case Study for a Touristic Area

Abstract

In this study, centralized and decentralized wastewater reuse alternatives were compared in terms of water saving potential and costs for a touristic case study area in Antalya, Turkey. The results of decentralized reuse revealed that the maximum water saving of a hotel is limited with either amount of wastewater generated or ratio of irrigated landscape area to bed number. The breakpoint for the case study area is estimated as 50 m2/bed. As a result, in hotels where the ratio of irrigated area is less than 50 m2/bed, wastewater reuse may not be cost effective. In case of centralized wastewater reuse, supply and demand is balanced and as a result 60% more water saving may be achieved for the case study area. Furthermore, investment and operation cost of centralized reuse are considerably low and the price of reclaimed water is lower than price of service water. The average unit price of reclaimed water used as irrigation water was found to be 1.29 €/m3 in decentralized reuse, while the unit price was found to be 0.35 €/m3 in centralized reuse; which brings forth an internal rate of return by 20% and a 5-year payback period.

Keywords

• merkezi atıksu geri kazanımı
• yerinde atıksu geri kazanımı
• evsel atıksu geri kazanımı
• maliyet analizi
• net bugünkü değer
• turizm sektörü
• centralized wastewater reuse
• decentralized wastewater reuse
• domestic wastewater reuse
• cost analysis
• net present value
• tourism sector