What influences the urban sewage discharge in China? The effect of diversified factors on the urban sewage discharge in different regions of China

The urban sewage discharge is a complex system influenced by various factors. However, the extant research is limited in examining the mechanism by which urban sewage discharge is caused. Drawing upon the ‘driving force–pressure–state–impact–response’ (DPSIR) model, our paper proposes a theoretical framework to address the influencing factors of urban sewage discharge, which involves 15 indicators during 2010 and 2016, and examines path relationships from both national and regional angles. The data were estimated by using the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach. The findings indicate that sewage discharge is influenced by the driving factor in the regions of the South, the Northeast, the Southwest, as well as the Northwest of China, while significantly affected by pressure factor in the Northwest, the Northeast, the East, the Southwest, the North, as well as the middle South of China. The role of state element is manifested in the regions of South, Central, as well as Southwest of China. In terms of the response element, the Southwest, Northwest, East and Northeast are influenced areas. This research are guidance for Chinese governments to make policies to effectively reduce and manage urban sewage discharge.