Return on investment of wastewater treatment systems in swine farms

Abstract The investments in wastewater treatment of swine systems (WTSS) search on safety, health and fulfillment of the requirements of environmental legislation to investigate to the possibilities of economically exploit properly treated effluent. This study analyzed the return on investment of different WTSS. Was being carried out between the months of October of 2013 to May of 2014. For data collection an electronic questionnaire applied through interviews on 37 farms in the State of São Paulo chosen randomly. To analyze the economic feasibility of different WTSS we used the technique of Capital Budget (PAYBACK and IRR). The farms were divided into four categories: GEEBC-generated electricity, biofertilizer and carbon credits; GEEBI-generated electricity and biofertilizer; GEEEL-generated electricity; NGVAP- no generating value-added products. The best economic result was observed in the category GEEBC with an average Payback time of nine years. It was observed that 73% of respondents do not exploit the economic value of the treated effluent, keeping your investments with a view to contemplate the environmental regulations.