EDSS for the evaluation of alternatives in waste water collecting systems design

The design of new wastewater treatment systems in rural areas is a highly complex problem given the numerous possible alternative connections with pre-existent collection networks and the different criteria that affect the correct choice of the sought-after solution. This article presents a (GIS-based) decision support system that aids this design work and which considers the criteria of cost, environmental quality and social cost underlying these infrastructures. This innovative system was developed for the Government of the Principality of Asturias, and an example of its application in rural agglomerations in this region is presented here.