Evaluación de la planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales en el barrio sur San Miguel de la parroquia Mulliquindil de Santa Ana, cantón Salcedo, provincia de Cotopaxi

Abstract

The assessment of the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) was conducted due to various issues, including unwanted vegetation proliferation and unpleasant odors within the facilities and surrounding areas, resulting from inadequate system maintenance. The experimental work began with data collection and a topographic survey of the component dimensions. Additionally, the inflow and outflow flow rates of the treatment plant were measured to determine peak demand hours. Composite samples of influent and effluent were collected and analyzed for physicochemical characteristics in a laboratory. In order to determine the most important parameters for water quality, these results were compared with the TULSMA 2015 regulations, revealing that pH, COD, BOD5, suspended solids, and total solids levels, with the exception of ammonia nitrogen, were below the permissible limits for discharge into a freshwater body. Furthermore, a diagnosis was carried out for each hydraulic unit of the WWTP, determining that, except for the sludge drying bed, all units meet the parameters established in the design guides and manuals for treatment plants. Lastly, proposed solutions included implementing floating macrophytes on the surface of the upflow anaerobic filter, redesigning the sludge drying bed with a cover, and creating an operation and maintenance manual for the WWTP along with its corresponding budget estimate.