Evaluación de la planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales Mollepamba de la parroquia Picaihua, cantón Ambato, provincia de Tungurahua

Abstract

The present work was conducted to establish if the wastewater treatment plant “Mollepamba” is performing the task for which it was designed and built. The evaluation of the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) began with the collection of information regarding its current units (Sandblaster, Primary Sedimentation Tank and Anaerobic Up flow filter). The maximum, average and minimum flows of entry to the plant were also determined and the collection of samples of the wastewater form both the affluent and the effluent were conducted for subsequent laboratory analysis. Once the results of the analysis were obtained, the incorrect functioning of the WWTP could be observed, since the values of the effluent parameters exceeded the maximum permissible stipulated in the TULSMA 2015 for the discharge of wastewater into freshwater bodies, in addition, in many cases, the pollutant load of the effluent was also greater than that of the affluent. On the other hand, after verifying the sizing of the current units of the WWTP, it was determined that these do not fulfill the minimum conditions and requirements stipulated in current regulations and design manuals. With the aim of improving the performance of the “Mollepamba” WWTP, a resizing of its units and the incorporation of other elements such as an input grid is proposed, a Parshall canal and a sludge drying bed, which will help reduce the pollutant load that reaches the receiving body (Pachanlica River).