Governance Criteria for Responsible Management Entities of Decentralized Wastewater Infrastructure Systems

Abstract

Decentralized wastewater infrastructure systems (DWIS) offer cost-effective, sustainable sanitation solutions for many communities, yet their performance and long-term reliability hinge on effective management governance, i.e., the institutional and legal framework that defines system administration, financing, regulation, and maintenance. Responsible Management Entities (RMEs) of DWIS are central to ensuring operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and environmental protection, but limited guidance exists on how to structure and manage them. Fragmented and ill-defined RME governance leaves many DWIS without the oversight needed to ensure routine maintenance, regulatory compliance, and environmental protection. It is imperative to holistically understand the criteria shaping RME governance, bringing in-depth insights into the complexity of practices directing RMEs. To address this gap, this study uses inductive thematic analysis of ten case studies of diverse RMEs managing DWIS across the United States to (1) identify key RME governance criteria and (2) examine how these criteria intersect to influence operational flexibility, accountability, and community legitimacy. Findings reveal that no single governance configuration universally dominates; rather, trade-offs emerge among efficiency, regulatory oversight, and stakeholder engagement. The study provides a structured lens for analyzing, and designing RME governance arrangements, thereby supporting context-specific and sustainable management approaches for DWIS.