Browsing by Author "Cadme Galabay, Manuel Remigio"

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A comparative study of water quality using two quality indices and a risk index in a drinking water distribution network
(2022) García Ávila, Fausto Fernando; Cadme Galabay, Manuel Remigio; Valdiviezo Gonzales, Lorgio; Gutierrez Ortega, Fausto Horacio; Flores del Pino, Lisveth Flores del Pino; Zhindón Arévalo, César
This study compares the Canadian Council Water Quality Index (CCME WQI) and the Arithmetic Water Quality Index (WAWQI) methodologies for determining the quality of water in the city of Azogues (Ecuador). Additionally, a drinking water quality risk index (IRCA) was determined to evaluate the degree of risk of disease occurrence related to water consumption. The data generated came from the analyses of twelve physicochemical parameters (pH, turbidity, colour, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, total hardness, alkalinity, nitrates, phosphates, sulfates, chlorides, residual chlorine) from 172 samples of water over six months. The calculated average value of CCME WQI (97.59 ± 1.08) indicates that 100% of the drinking system was of ‘excellent’ quality. The WAWQI average value was calculated to be 26.36 ± 1.13 indicating that 16.67% of the distribution system was of ‘excellent’ quality and 83.33% of the distribution water was of ‘good’ quality. The IRCA calculated in all the distribution zones is between 0 and 5% and therefore, the distributed water is considered suitable for human consumption and is rated at the no-risk level. Furthermore, WAWQI is influenced by parameters with low maximum allowed concentration (for example, turbidity value 1 NTU in the Ecuadorian standard was used instead of 5 NTU recommended by the WHO); conversely, CCME-WQI is influenced by parameters with a high maximum allowed concentration (no parameter exceeded the norm in this study). The IRCA is a support instrument to guarantee that the water supplied by the provider companies complies with the characteristics established for drinking water.
Considerations on water quality and the use of chlorine in times of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic in the community
(2020) García Ávila, Fausto Fernando; Flores del Pino, Lisveth; Zhindon Arevalo, Cesar Edmundo; Altamirano Cardenas, Luis Francisco; Gutierrez Ortega, Fausto Horacio; Cadme Galabay, Manuel Remigio; Valdiviezo Gonzales, Lorgio
This review goal is to reflect on the challenges and prospects for water quality in the face of the pandemic caused by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (COVID-19). Based on the information available so far, the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater has raised interest in using it as an early warning method, to detect the resurgence of infections and to report the risk associated with contracting SARS-CoV-2 in contact with untreated water or inadequately treated wastewater is discharged. The wastewater-based epidemiological approach can be used as an early indicator of infection within a specific population. On the other hand, it is necessary to collect information from the managers of drinking water supply companies and professionals who are related to water quality, to know SARS-CoV-2 data and information, and its influence on drinking water quality. The basic purpose of this review article is to try to provide a valuable and quick reference guide to COVID-19. Important topics were discussed, such as detection of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater in various parts of the world; wastewater screening to monitor COVID-19; persistence of SARS-CoV-2 in aquatic systems; the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in drinking water; clean water as a mechanism to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic; chlorine as a disinfectant to eliminate SARSCoV-2 and damage to ecosystems by the use of chlorine. Currently does not exist extensive literature on the effectiveness of water and wastewater treatment processes that ensure the correct elimination of SARS-CoV-2. Excessive use of disinfectants such as chlorine is causing effects on the environment. This document lighlights the need for further research to establish the behavior of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in aquatic systems. This study presents an early overview of the observed and potential impacts of COVID-19 on the environment.
Opportunities for improvement in a potabilization plant based on cleaner production: experimental and theoretical investigations
(2021) Zhindon Arevalo, Cesar Edmundo; García Ávila, Fausto Fernando; Valdiviezo Gonzales, Lorgio; Iglesias Abad, Sergio Fernando; Gutierrez Ortega, Fausto Horacio; Cadme Galabay, Manuel Remigio; Donoso Moscoso, Silvana Patricia
Cleaner Production (CP) has been studied mainly in the productive sector, ignoring that in drinking water treatment plants (DWTP) a better environmental performance can be achieved. The objective of this study was to evaluate the processes in a DWTP in order to improve production, reduce environmental impact and generate economic savings, for which a cleaner production plan was implementing. The methodology recommended by UNIDO was used. Three CP opportunities were evaluated and identified. After, each CP opportunity, a technical, environmental and economic feasibility analysis was carried out. The results indicated that by implementing the first opportunity of CP (Good housekeeping), it will save water by reducing the number of filter washes by 29400 m3/year, without any investment, so the gains will be immediate. With the second chance of CP, a water-saving of 23256 m3/year will be achieved by recirculating the water from the filters to the decanters. The investment is small, and the recovery period will be 2.4 months. The third CP option, which is based on the coagulant change, would have an annual financial savings of 5361.12 USD, with an immediate payback period. The results showed that the CP applications proposed in this study can significantly reduce water consumption in a WDTP, being able to be implemented in the short and medium-term, without large investments, allowing to address water scarcity today and in the future.
Relationship between chlorine decay and temperature in the drinking water
(2020) García Ávila, Fausto Fernando; Sánchez Alvarracín, Carlos Mauricio; Cadme Galabay, Manuel Remigio; Conchado Martinez, Julio Hector; Garcia Mera, George Adalberto; Zhindon Arevalo, Cesar Edmundo
The bulk chlorine decay rate in drinking water supply systems depend on many factors, including temperature. In this document, the method to determine the order of reaction of chlorine with water is reported, as well as the method to estimate Kb (Bulk reaction rate constant). Experiments were carried out to determine the bulk chlorine decay, for which a set of water samples to determine the free residual chlorine every hour were analyzed. Chlorine concentrations were graphed against time and adjusted appropriately to the developed model. The experimental results showed that the average value of the mass decomposition rate was 0.15 h−1. It was shown that temperature affects the variation of the reaction rate of chlorine with water, Kb increases as temperature increases. In this manuscript it is reported: • The method that allows determining the reaction kinetic order of chlorine with drinking water. • The method that can help residual chlorine modelers in the correct definition of the bulk reaction rate constant. • The effectiveness of the method for evaluating the decomposition of residual chlorine in drinking water distribution networks as a function of temperature.