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Spatial Patterns of Urban Wastewater Discharge and Treatment Plants Efficiency in China

Author

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  • Min An

    (Business School, Hohai University, Nanjing 211100, China)

  • Weijun He

    (College of Economics & Management, Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China)

  • Dagmawi Mulugeta Degefu

    (Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada)

  • Zaiyi Liao

    (Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada)

  • Zhaofang Zhang

    (Business School, Hohai University, Nanjing 211100, China)

  • Liang Yuan

    (College of Economics & Management, Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China)

Abstract

With the rapid economic development, water pollution has become a major concern in China. Understanding the spatial variation of urban wastewater discharge and measuring the efficiency of wastewater treatment plants are prerequisites for rationally designing schemes and infrastructures to control water pollution. Based on the input and output urban wastewater treatment data of the 31 provinces of mainland China for the period 2011–2015, the spatial variation of urban water pollution and the efficiency of wastewater treatment plants were measured and mapped. The exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA) model and super-efficiency data envelopment analysis (DEA) combined Malmquist index were used to achieve this goal. The following insight was obtained from the results. (1) The intensity of urban wastewater discharge increased, and the urban wastewater discharge showed a spatial agglomeration trend for the period 2011 to 2015. (2) The average inefficiency of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) for the study period was 39.2%. The plants’ efficiencies worsened from the eastern to western parts of the country. (3) The main reasons for the low efficiency were the lack of technological upgrade and scale-up. The technological upgrade rate was −4.8%, while the scale efficiency increases as a result of scaling up was −0.2%. Therefore, to improve the wastewater treatment efficiency of the country, the provinces should work together to increase capital investment and technological advancement.

Suggested Citation

  • Min An & Weijun He & Dagmawi Mulugeta Degefu & Zaiyi Liao & Zhaofang Zhang & Liang Yuan, 2018. "Spatial Patterns of Urban Wastewater Discharge and Treatment Plants Efficiency in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-15, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:9:p:1892-:d:166927
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Zhaofang Zhang & Weijun He & Juqin Shen & Min An & Xin Gao & Dagmawi Mulugeta Degefu & Liang Yuan & Yang Kong & Chengcai Zhang & Jin Huang, 2019. "The Driving Forces of Point Source Wastewater Emission: Case Study of COD and NH 4 -N Discharges in Mainland China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-19, July.

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