Conditions, costs and investment requirements
The
Swiss urban wastewater system has reached a high service level. The focus of
the wastewater sector changes more and more form construction to maintenance
and operation. Today, not enough verified data are available to allow strategic
planning on a regional or national level. Information such as the condition of wastewater
infrastructure, operation costs and investment requirements are missing.
The
aim of the project is to provide a conceptual basis for a systematic analysis
of the Swiss wastewater sector. For the first time the Status Quo of the entire
wastewater sector could be determined.
The
Swiss wastewater is treated in 759 central treatment plants with more than 500
population equivalents. The replacement value of these treatment plants is 10.1·109 CHF
with annual of 819 million CHF.
Waste-
and storm water are removed in 47’400 km public sewers with an estimated
value
of 55.2 ·109
CHF. For operations and capital expenditures 875 million CHF are spent
annually.
Two
thirds of the sewage system was built within the last 50 years, whereas cities
have significant older facilities than rural communities. About 23% of the
investigated sewers show significant damages.
In
addition more than 3’400 small scale sewage treatment plants, about 42’000 km
private sewers and estimated 1’700’000 house connections contribute to the high
level of sanitation service. The total value of the Swiss wastewater system is
estimated to be 100·109 CHF.
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