Evaluación de la planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales de la comunidad Hualcanga San Luis, cantón Quero, provincia de Tungurahua

Abstract

The purpose of the present work was to evaluate the current operation of the wastewater treatment plant in the community of Hualcanga San Luis, Quero canton, Tungurahua’s province. For this purpose, an inspection of the facilities was made, and then the inlet and outlet flow rates were measured using the volumetric method for seven consecutive days. This made it possible to determine the maximum and minimum flows with which the WWTP works. Once these flows were measured, wastewater samples were taken. These samples were sent to the Environmental Services Laboratory of the UNACH´s University for analysis of the pollutant load. The results showed that the current processes: distribution tank, septic tank, sludge drying bed and ascending biological filter do not meet the maximum removal parameters established in the TULSMA 2015 standard. Once the current operation of the WWTP was evaluated, a redesign of the current stages and the design of new stages were carried out, which are: desander and an oil and grease trap. These improvements together with the redesigned stages will allow the plant to operate correctly, respecting the values allowed by the regulations, because at present the discharge of these waters is a source of pollution for the environment. Finally, a maintenance and operation plan was proposed to ensure that the WWTP functions optimally.