Key determinants for the economic and operational sustainability of sewerage services

Abstract This paper analyses the determinants of the economic and operational sustainability of sewerage services at the level of an economic operator, using data from an 11-year period, focusing on investments from European funds, network extension, environmental compliance and tariff policy. The results reveal uneven distribution of investments and high volumes of untreated wastewater, which reveal deficiencies in planning and infrastructure. Connected population is identified as a key factor for financial sustainability. Slow network expansion and tariff stability limit the ability of operators to invest in modernization. The results provide practical directions for improving the management of sewerage services in the long term.