A Framework for Technological Choice (A Technology Assessment: Methodology for the Choice of Wastewater Treatment Facilities)
D. Couillard
DOI: 10.2190/WQ11-EWP7-C50R-96CG
Abstract
In this article, technological assessment is defined as a multidimensional process as applied to a management model in order to make wise or "best" choices. A method of technological assessment is presented as well as its application to the choice of wastewater technology. An analysis of the critical path used in the Québec urban wastewater treatment program was done using a grid made up of six dimensions, or domains, that can be considered when making a technology assessment study (technology, economics, environment, society, the individual, values and collective aspects of decision-making). This led to the identification of the most important criteria on which the selection of technologies was based: it was found that technical, economic, and environmental criteria were called upon much more often than those relating to society, the individual, or to values and collective aspects of decision-making.
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