Cost-benefit analysis of reclaimed wastewater reuses in Beijing

Abstract

Costs and benefits of reclaiming and reusing Beijing’s municipal wastewater were analyzed based on the 2010 figures. The evaluation took into account the tangible categories of capital investment, operation and maintenance, chemical reagents, and revenues and the intangible categories of environmental improvements, public health impacts, and groundwater recharge and pollution. The outcomes showed the water reuse program would generate a net benefit of 712 million RMB, and the total benefits were 1.7 times of the costs. The inclusion of intangible benefits in the analysis provided extra incentives to go forward with the water reuse project.

Keywords:

• Cost-benefit analysis
• Wastewater reclamation and reuse project
• Reclaimed water irrigation
• Intangible environmental benefits
• Opportunity cost

Acknowledgment

We would like to thank for the support of National Natural Science Foundation of China (#41001330).