A simple method to equalize the workload when operating several small wastewater treatment plants: a case study.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Engineering
• Water Resource Management
• Operational Research

Background:

• Personnel costs significantly impact the operational expenses of small wastewater treatment plants (SWWTPs).
• Efficient workload distribution is crucial for optimizing staff allocation and service management in decentralized water infrastructure.
• Existing methods for workload assessment may not be sufficiently practical or adaptable for diverse SWWTP operational contexts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a straightforward and user-friendly methodology for equalizing personnel workload across multiple SWWTPs.
• To establish a practical approach that minimizes the required number of staff for effective SWWTP operation and management.
• To provide a tool that aids water and wastewater management companies in optimizing human resource allocation.

Main Methods:

• Workload evaluation based on key operational parameters: population equivalent (PE) and the number of plants managed.
• Calculation of the percentage of personnel time dedicated to SWWTP operations.
• Development of a case study in collaboration with a Southern Italy-based water management company.

Main Results:

• The proposed method offers a practical tool for workload equalization, considering both PE and the number of managed plants.
• The approach facilitates the identification of minimum staffing requirements for reliable SWWTP service.
• The methodology is designed for easy comprehension by management and adaptability to other scenarios.

Conclusions:

• The developed method provides an effective means to equalize workload among SWWTP personnel, leading to potential cost savings.
• The approach is flexible and can be modified to incorporate additional workload assessment criteria.
• This study offers a valuable framework for optimizing human resource management in the context of small wastewater treatment facilities.