scholarly journals Suitability of the Decentralised Wastewater Treatment Effluent for Agricultural Use: Decision Support System Approach

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (18) ◽  
pp. 2454
Author(s):  
William Musazura ◽  
Alfred O. Odindo
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Decision Support ◽  
Decision Support System ◽  
South African ◽  
Support System ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Nutrient Loading ◽  
Crop Yields ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Agricultural Use

The decentralised wastewater treatment system (DEWATS) is an onsite sanitation technology that can be used in areas away from municipal sewerage networks. The discharge of effluent emanating from DEWATS into water bodies may cause pollution. Agricultural use of the effluent may improve crop yields and quality thereby contributing to food security in low-income communities. There are drawbacks to the agricultural use of treated wastewater. Therefore, the study assessed the crop, environmental and health risks when irrigating with anaerobic filter (AF) effluent using the Decision Support System (DSS) of the South African Water Quality Guideline model, in four South African agroecological regions, three soil types, two irrigation systems and three different crops. The model was parameterised using AF effluent characterisation data and simulated for 45 years. The model predicted that there are no negative impacts for using AF effluent on soil quality parameters (root zone salinity, soil permeability and oxidisable carbon loading), leaf scorching and irrigation equipment. The problems were reported for nutrient loading (N and P) in maize and microbial contamination in cabbage and lettuce. It was recommended that the effluent should be diluted when used for maize production and advanced treatment should be explored to allow unrestricted agricultural use.

Evaluating the application of a decision support system in identifying adequate wastewater treatment for small communities. A case study: the Fluvia River Basin

2005 ◽  
Vol 51 (10) ◽  
pp. 179-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Alemany ◽  
J. Comas ◽  
C. Turon ◽  
M.D. Balaguer ◽  
M. Poch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Decision Support ◽  
Decision Support System ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Support System ◽  
River Basins ◽  
Complex Problem ◽  
Adequate Treatment ◽  
Small Communities ◽  
Different Characteristics

The identification of adequate wastewater treatment for small communities is a complex problem since it demands a combination of data from different sources, such as aspects of the community and landscape, the receiving environment and the available wastewater treatment technologies. The Catalan Water Agency (Agència Catalana de l'Aigua) considered using an EDSS (Environmental Decision Support System) as a tool to help water managers select the most adequate treatment for the urban wastewater of nearly 3,500 small communities in Catalonia (Spain). From that moment, EDSS was applied to all the river basins in Catalonia. In this paper the authors present the results obtained for the 76 small communities located in one of these river basins: the Fluvia River Basin. The characteristics of the community used in the reasoning process of the EDSS, the list of selected wastewater treatment alternatives, the technical environmental justification for the selected treatments and the reasons for discarding, favouring or disadvantaging them are presented. Finally, some results for the Fluvia River Basin are compared with those obtained in other Catalan river basins with different characteristics in order to evaluate which are the significant features in identifying adequate wastewater treatments.

A Decision Support System and Warehouse Operations Design for Pricing Products and Minimizing Product Returns in a Food Plant

10.28945/4692 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
pp. 039-054
Author(s):  
Yahel Giat ◽  
Dan Bouhnik
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Decision Support ◽  
Decision Support System ◽  
Support System ◽  
Low Income ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Pricing Model ◽  
Product Returns

Aim/Purpose: The first goal is to develop a decision support system for pricing and production amounts for a firm facing high levels of product returns. The second goal is to improve the management of the product returns process. Background: This study was conducted at a food importer and manufacturer in Israel facing a very high rate of product returns, much of which is eventually discarded. The firm’s products are commonly considered to be a low-cost generic alternative and are therefore popular among low-income families. Methodology: A decision support module was added to the plant’s business information system. The module is based on a supply chain pricing model and uses the sales data to infer future demand’s distribution. Ergonomic models were used to improve the design of the returns warehouse and the handling of the returns. Contribution: The decision support system allows to improve the plant’s pricing and quantity planning. Consequently, it reduced the size of product returns. The new design of the returns process is expected to improve worker’s productivity, reduces losses and results in safer outcomes. This study also demonstrates a successful integration and of a theoretical economical model into an information system. Findings: The results show the promise of incorporating pricing supply chain models into informing systems to achieve a practical business task. We were able to construct actual demand distributions from the data and offer actual pricing recommendations that reduce the number of returns while increasing potential profits. We were able to identify key deficiencies in the returns operations and added a module to the decisions support system that improves the returns management and links it with the sales and pricing modules. Finally, we produced a better warehouse design that supports efficient and ergonomic product returns handling. Recommendations for Practitioners: This work can be replicated for different suppliers, manufacturers and retailers that suffer from product returns. They will benefit from the reduction in returns, as well as the decrease in the losses associated with these returns. Recommendation for Researchers: It is worthwhile to research whether decision support systems can be applied to other aspects of the organizations’ operations. Impact on Society: Product returns is a lose-lose situation for producers, retailers and customers. Moreover, mismanagement of these returns is harmful for the environment and may result in the case of foods, in health hazards. Reducing returns and improving the handling improves sustainability and is beneficial for society. Future Research: The decision support system’s underlying pricing model assumes a specific business setting. This can be extended using other pricing models and applying them in a similar fashion to the current application.

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