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Assesing Performance in the Management of the Urban Water Cycle

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  • Picazo-Tadeo, Andrés J.
  • Sáez-Fernández, Francisco J.
  • González-Gómez, Francisco

Abstract

This paper proposes the use of directional distance functions and Data Envelopment Analysis techniques to assess technical efficiency in the provision of the stages of the urban water cycle in Andalusia, a Southern Spanish region. Evaluating performance in the management of specific stages of the urban water cycle provides utility managers and regulating authorities with relevant information that could remain out of sight with more conventional approaches based on assessing performance at firm level. Among other results, we show that Andalusian water and sewage utilities could achieve important increases in the volume of water delivered without diminishing their production in the remaining services, and with the same quantities of inputs. Potential increases are also important for the volume of sewage collected, thus entailing significant environmental benefits in a territory where water scarcity has seen the efficient management of this natural resource become a pressing obligation.

Suggested Citation

  • Picazo-Tadeo, Andrés J. & Sáez-Fernández, Francisco J. & González-Gómez, Francisco, 2008. "Assesing Performance in the Management of the Urban Water Cycle," Efficiency Series Papers 2008/01, University of Oviedo, Department of Economics, Oviedo Efficiency Group (OEG).
    • Handle: RePEc:oeg:wpaper:2008/01
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    File URL: https://www.unioviedo.es/oeg/ESP/esp_2008_01.pdf
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    Cited by:

    1. Ferro, Gustavo & Lentini, Emilio & Mercadier, Augusto & Romero, Carlos A., 2010. "Retornos a escala en agua y saneamiento: estimaciones para América Latina [Returns to scale in water and sanitation: estimates for Latin Amercia]," MPRA Paper 20324, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised Jan 2010.

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