Developing a methodology to recover the cost of wastewater reuse: A proposal based on the polluter pays principle

In this study, we propose a cost recovery model for a wastewater treatment and reuse process based on the polluter pays principle that, among other things, provides appropriate incentives for efficient waster use and guarantees its future availability. Finally, the proposed cost recovery model is then applied using date provided by the Wastewater Treatment Plant of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Island, Spain). Using the tariff system proposed in this article for wastewater reuse, citizens would become aware of the financial investments involved in this process with the consequent impact on saving water, which would then help maintain reserves. •We propose a methodology towards cost recovery in wastewater treatment and reuse processes.•A cost calculation methodology based on polluter pays principle is proposed for wastewater treatment and reuse processes.•We propose a cost calculation methodology for efficient water use and guarantees its future availability.