Multi-criteria decision analysis for sustainability assessment of decentralised water treatment systems (DWTS) in developing countries.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bath
Department Name: Chemical Engineering
Abstract
Even though access to safe drinking water and sanitation has been recognised by the United Nations as a human right, providing universal access to basic needs is still an important challenge of today, and as such was set as one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Small-scale systems for water treatment can contribute to the provision of safe water in areas not served by conventional systems, such as rural or peri-urban areas. However, this context can prove itself challenging due to availability of resources, organisational support, among other critical factors. The observed moderate success of these systems derives from some important criteria not being met. The constraints that threaten the long-term functionality of the local schemes are not necessarily related to performance of the technologies, but to a series of influential factors of environmental, technical, governmental, economic or social nature. The aim of this project is to develop a decision-support framework to assess sustainability of decentralised, small-scale water treatment systems in the context of developing countries. The study will carefully investigate the multidisciplinary factors that affect the sustainability in this context.
Integrating different sustainability factors such as economic, environmental and especially social aspects is crucial for providing a more comprehensive evaluation. Some well-established assessment methodologies such as Life Cycle Analysis or Cost-Benefit Analysis do not consider socioeconomic factors and would not provide a good sustainability evaluation in this context. This project will integrate different aspects using Multi-criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) in order to simultaneously evaluate different criteria and their quantitative and qualitative attributes in one universal and holistic decision support framework, focusing on ensuring high acceptance of the decision-making process by stakeholders.
The applicability of this framework will be evaluated by case studies in developing countries, where real systems will be assessed in order to find the best available alternative. The decision support tool will then provide support to stakeholders in deciding the best way forward, and hopefully helping to bring us closer to universal access to safe drinking water.
Integrating different sustainability factors such as economic, environmental and especially social aspects is crucial for providing a more comprehensive evaluation. Some well-established assessment methodologies such as Life Cycle Analysis or Cost-Benefit Analysis do not consider socioeconomic factors and would not provide a good sustainability evaluation in this context. This project will integrate different aspects using Multi-criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) in order to simultaneously evaluate different criteria and their quantitative and qualitative attributes in one universal and holistic decision support framework, focusing on ensuring high acceptance of the decision-making process by stakeholders.
The applicability of this framework will be evaluated by case studies in developing countries, where real systems will be assessed in order to find the best available alternative. The decision support tool will then provide support to stakeholders in deciding the best way forward, and hopefully helping to bring us closer to universal access to safe drinking water.
Planned Impact
We will deliver the Centre's impact aims in depth and breadth through the following objectives:
1) Ensuring that skilled recruits are available to industry to enhance the global competitiveness of UK plc thereby filling an industry-identified skills gap in appropriately trained water informatics professionals - Beneficiary: Industry;
2) Maximising the recruitment opportunities for graduates, by providing them with the professional and development skills needed to succeed - Beneficiary: Students;
3) Promote the work of the CDT to the widest possible audience so that the true value of the investment in the centre is realized - Beneficiary: Communities (both public and academic);
4) Create and develop the next generation of academics - Beneficiary: Academia / Students.
Economic and Societal Impact: Water professionals are faced with increasingly complex problems of ensuring sustainable use of water resources, given a rapidly expanding demand for energy and food from a growing population, and the dynamic nature of our world. Simultaneously we see an explosion in new data and in computational power, which allows us to build more and more complex models of our environment. Organisations such as Toshiba and IBM expect the Centre to support them in developing a 'real business opportunity' in Smart Utility systems. Partners such as the Environment Agency and MET Office feel that WISE will give them access to essential skills in long term planning and climate impact assessment. HR Wallingford and Wessex Water see the opportunity to maintain and enhance their global advantage in technology and catchment management expertise. The impact on the industrial sectors relevant to this Centre will be guided and supported by our Advisory Board. To facilitate wider impact we will also work through regional and national groups, networks, and Learned Societies.
We will undertake the following activities in support of our pathways to impact:
1) Bi-Annual WISE Mini-Conference: One day events to engage current Partners and additional end-users including the student cohort and established research projects.
2) Annual 'Hackathon': A sector specific one day event will be an opportunity for the students to focus on a real industry problem and provide solutions.
3) Short Film: To facilitate outreach, we will produce a short film to promote the awareness of the centre topic and the research of its students.
4) Case Studies: We will jointly develop a number of case studies for our website to showcase research and allow industry to understand how it can benefit from engagement with the Centre.
5) Third Party Events and Activities: Our student cohort and supervisors will work with existing and new networks to develop new relationships.
6) Public Engagement: The Centre will benefit from RCUK funded "Public Engagement with Research Catalyst" projects based at Exeter, Bath and Bristol. We will also engage with the British Science Association.
Impact on Knowledge Creation: The training approach has been designed to facilitate the transfer and dissemination of knowledge. From Year 2 onwards students will work in other institutions and/or with our industry partners for 3-6 months. We have agreement from our overseas and industrial partners to host placements. In terms of the wider academic and industrial sectors, students will be expected to attend and present at leading national and international conferences, and at our bi-annual mini-conferences.
Broader Impact on Postgraduate Students: The Centre has worked with partners to develop an environment that will provide training across a wide range of interdisciplinary topics. Bespoke skills-based workshops, novel approaches and strong relationships with partners are key features of this environment. Specifically our students will undertake modules within the University of Exeter Business School, which will give them the opportunity to explore challenges facing leaders in industry around the globe.
1) Ensuring that skilled recruits are available to industry to enhance the global competitiveness of UK plc thereby filling an industry-identified skills gap in appropriately trained water informatics professionals - Beneficiary: Industry;
2) Maximising the recruitment opportunities for graduates, by providing them with the professional and development skills needed to succeed - Beneficiary: Students;
3) Promote the work of the CDT to the widest possible audience so that the true value of the investment in the centre is realized - Beneficiary: Communities (both public and academic);
4) Create and develop the next generation of academics - Beneficiary: Academia / Students.
Economic and Societal Impact: Water professionals are faced with increasingly complex problems of ensuring sustainable use of water resources, given a rapidly expanding demand for energy and food from a growing population, and the dynamic nature of our world. Simultaneously we see an explosion in new data and in computational power, which allows us to build more and more complex models of our environment. Organisations such as Toshiba and IBM expect the Centre to support them in developing a 'real business opportunity' in Smart Utility systems. Partners such as the Environment Agency and MET Office feel that WISE will give them access to essential skills in long term planning and climate impact assessment. HR Wallingford and Wessex Water see the opportunity to maintain and enhance their global advantage in technology and catchment management expertise. The impact on the industrial sectors relevant to this Centre will be guided and supported by our Advisory Board. To facilitate wider impact we will also work through regional and national groups, networks, and Learned Societies.
We will undertake the following activities in support of our pathways to impact:
1) Bi-Annual WISE Mini-Conference: One day events to engage current Partners and additional end-users including the student cohort and established research projects.
2) Annual 'Hackathon': A sector specific one day event will be an opportunity for the students to focus on a real industry problem and provide solutions.
3) Short Film: To facilitate outreach, we will produce a short film to promote the awareness of the centre topic and the research of its students.
4) Case Studies: We will jointly develop a number of case studies for our website to showcase research and allow industry to understand how it can benefit from engagement with the Centre.
5) Third Party Events and Activities: Our student cohort and supervisors will work with existing and new networks to develop new relationships.
6) Public Engagement: The Centre will benefit from RCUK funded "Public Engagement with Research Catalyst" projects based at Exeter, Bath and Bristol. We will also engage with the British Science Association.
Impact on Knowledge Creation: The training approach has been designed to facilitate the transfer and dissemination of knowledge. From Year 2 onwards students will work in other institutions and/or with our industry partners for 3-6 months. We have agreement from our overseas and industrial partners to host placements. In terms of the wider academic and industrial sectors, students will be expected to attend and present at leading national and international conferences, and at our bi-annual mini-conferences.
Broader Impact on Postgraduate Students: The Centre has worked with partners to develop an environment that will provide training across a wide range of interdisciplinary topics. Bespoke skills-based workshops, novel approaches and strong relationships with partners are key features of this environment. Specifically our students will undertake modules within the University of Exeter Business School, which will give them the opportunity to explore challenges facing leaders in industry around the globe.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Thomas Arnot (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Juliana MARCAL (Student) |