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This paper discusses how sustainability frameworks work towards developing and sustaining a system where theuse of resources is restorative and non-harmful, allowing both humans and the ecosystem tothrive. They strive to accomplish this goal by creating little or no damage to natural ecosystems,sustaining natural resources and increasing their productivity, understanding the environmentalimpacts of different choices, creating little or no waste, and rethinking current design practices.A few of these ideas can specifically be integrated into critical life cycle cost analyses (LCCAs) that are applicable to thewater and wastewater industry.Based on these frameworks, two potential methods are discussed for incorporatingsustainability principles in a critical LCCA. The first method is to change the way a critical LCCAis developed, by looking not just at one asset but at a whole system design as outlined byNatural Capitalism. For example, rather than analyzing and optimizing just one pump, theanalysis would include the entire pumping system: pumps, motors, piping, valves, etc. Thesecond technique is to quantify environmental cost, through specific use of the EcologicalFootprint, and integrate it into the critical LCCA. Includes 16 references, figures.

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Edition: Vol. - No. Published: 04/01/2005 Number of Pages: 9 File Size: 1 file , 950 KB