On the Path of Sustainability in Wastewater Treatment: The Golden Mean Applied to Regional Context

An important part of the environmental degradation is caused by discharge untreated or mistreated wastewater. Since centralized treatment systems have proved to be inefficient, tackling issues requires a regional approach. Wastewater plants (WWTPs) mitigate impacts and contribute financial savings other firms. However, literature evaluating WWTPs' performance economic sustainability does not abound. Thus, this paper analyses wastewater companies in Portugal NUTS II regions, 2016-2019. Using firms' reports from SABI, results show that, large, firms Centre region display higher performances when compared regions. These can used investigate whether central are implementing best practices regarding management technology. Results also foster enhancements governance regulated utilities.