A Study on the efficiency analysis of local water and sewage in Gyeongbuk province by using the DEA

Abstract

Local water and sewage in Korea are operated by 161 local governments, so the rates and service levels are different for each region. The difference in water rates by region is up to 3.9 times. The national average water realization is 80.1%, but the realization rate of 96 municipalities with a population of less than 100,000 is only 47.2%. In addition, while the national average water supply rate exceeds 97%, the water service rate in rural areas is less than 60%. This study aims to suggest ways to improve productivity by comparing and evaluating the efficiency of local water and sewage in Gyeongbuk province. The technique used in the analysis was applied to Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), which is mainly used for efficiency evaluation. DEA is a type of linear programming used to assess the relative efficiency between Decision-Making units (DMUs) organized for similar purposes, using different types of inputs to produce different types of outputs. By evaluating the relative efficiencies of Gyeongbuk province water and sewage system, it will be examined whether the system is efficient or not. I further analyzed the factors affecting the efficiency of water and sewage systems and suggested implications for efficient water and sewage management. The number of employees and operating costs was used as input factors for the efficiency of water supply, and the analysis was conducted using the water population, revenue water rate, and water fee income. The analysis results of this study are as follows. The results of the CCR analysis by DEA showed that the average efficiency score was 0.80 and there were 5 effective local governments. According to the BCC analysis, the average efficiency score is 0.87 points and 12 effective local governments account for 54.5% of the total. The number of employees and operating costs was used as input factors for local sewage efficiency measurement, and the results were analyzed using sewage population, amount of wastewater, and sewage fee income. The analysis results of this study are as follows. The results of the CCR analysis by DEA showed that the average efficiency score was 0.406, and there were 2 effective local governments. As a result of BCC analysis, the average efficiency score was 0.736 points and 5 effective local governments accounted for 22.7% of the total. Factors that determine actual efficiency are variables that cannot be quantified, such as geographic location, facility ageing, employee abilities, and job satisfaction. In the future, it is necessary to develop a formula for evaluating the efficiency of local water and sewage, and further empirical analysis studies to verify reliability. In addition, further research is needed to implement the integrated operation system, including the dam, river, and water and sewage information linkage. And, Further research is deemed necessary to realize the sequential integration of local sewage systems, such as the establishment of an integrated operation system, the linkage of the dam, stream and water supply information, the survey of staff for the integration of water supply and sewage organization and facility management work.