Sustainability assessment of wastewater treatment techniques in urban areas of Iraq using multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA)

Abstract Sustainable development is based on environmental, social, economic, and technical dimensions. In this study, the sustainability of wastewater treatment techniques in urban areas Iraq was assessed using a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA)/the weighted sum model (WSM). The performed 13 operating plants 10 provinces, Iraq, questionnaire sheet with assistance 52 specialists Ministry Municipalities Public Works, Iraq. Four types (Conventional Treatment, Oxidation Ditches, Aeration Lagoons, membrane bio-reactor (MBR)) were assessed. dimensions represented by 11, 5, 7, 4 indicators, respectively. main results study indicate that MBR recorded highest total importance; order importance from to lowest was: > Ditches Lagoons Conventional Treatment. environmental dimension proved its dominance four studied techniques' as it maximum contribution sustainability. While least sustainability, Environmental Dimension Economic Social Technical Dimension.