Needs-based sewerage prioritization: Alternative to conventional cost-benefit analysis

► This paper presents an empirical approach to prioritize sewerage projects within set budgetary limitations. ► This work quantifies sewerage benefits as a dimensionless number, and recognizes that sewerage provision depends not only on economic efficiency but also on non-commensurable attributes of the system. ► Prioritization based on net benefit is not practical. The benefit-cost ratio is calculated to project ranking. ► The relative, not absolute magnitude, of the benefit value is important. The factors for benefit estimates are site and project specific.