A novel approach for identification of environmentally and economically suitable locations for establishment of wastewater treatment plants

Despite having several economic and environmental benefits of locating suitable sites for wastewater treatment plants, only a few studies have been reported in the literature. The present study implemented a fuzzy-analytic hierarchy process (fuzzy-AHP) method followed by the multi-criteria decision analysis for identification of suitable locations for wastewater treatment plants. Also, the study incorporated additional parameters such as slope and relative elevation to reduce environmental hazards and to increase economic benefits of locating wastewater treatment plants. The findings of the study revealed that 2.05% (42.68 km2) of the total study area is suitable for the establishment of environmentally and economically suitable wastewater treatment plants in each zone of the study area. It was assumed that half of wastewater will be treated in the East zone and the other half will be treated in the West zone. A minimum area of 30 ha was considered to treat half of the wastewater generated and based on this, 10 suitable sites were identified with five sites located in each zone. The approach of this study will help public health engineers and other stakeholders to identify environmentally and economically suitable locations for wastewater treatment plants in the study area and other similar areas globally. HIGHLIGHTS A fuzzy-AHP-MCDA approach was used for locating wastewater treatment plants (WTPs).; The study identified economically and environmentally suitable 10 locations for WTPs.; This study reduced the subjectivity in ranking the parameters for siting WTPs.; The study will help the readers for identifying best locations for WTPs.;