Application of multi-criteria analysis for selecting the most sustainable industrial wastewater treatment technology
Meaning Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) is a structured decision-making approach used to evaluate multiple alternatives based on several criteria simultaneously. In the context of industrial wastewater treatment, MCA helps identify the most sustainable technology by considering environmental, economic, technical, and social factors together rather than focusing on a single parameter such as cost or efficiency. It supports systematic comparison of technologies like biological treatment, membrane filtration, advanced oxidation, electrochemical processes, and hybrid systems. Introduction Industrial wastewater contains pollutants such as heavy metals, organic compounds, nutrients, oils, and toxic chemicals. Selecting an appropriate treatment technology is complex because industries must balance treatment efficiency, cost, environmental impact, regulatory compliance, and operational feasibility. Traditional selection methods often prioritize financial considerations, ignoring long-te...