Rediseño del sistema de tratamiento de aguas residuales en la comunidad San Pedro, Cuenca

Abstract

In Cuenca, the municipal public company ETAPA is committed to the integral environmental sanitation of the canton. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in rural and peri-urban areas are of high importance and many of these systems face significant operational problems. The WWTP serving the community of San Pedro needs to upgrade its service flow and infrastructure to improve treatment efficiency. This degree project involves the evaluation and redesign of the San Pedro WWTP. An analysis of its current operation was conducted through field inspections and characterizations of the influent and effluent. In the redesign, it was decided to enhance the existing pre-treatment by incorporating a settling tank. For primary treatment, it was decided to retain the existing septic tank structure. Several redesign alternatives were proposed for the secondary treatment, which were evaluated in a technology selection matrix where a French-style constructed wetland system was chosen. A chlorination disinfection unit was incorporated to ensure that the effluent complies with current Ecuadorian regulations. Finally, a budget and an operation and maintenance manual were prepared.