Evaluación y rediseño de la planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales Acchayacu, parroquia Tarqui, del cantón Cuenca, Ecuador

Abstract

The discharge of wastewater that has not received adequate treatment to receiving corps is a serious environmental and public health problem, this problem is evident in rural areas where access to sanitation services is difficult. For the treatment of wastewater in rural areas of the city of Cuenca, the Public Company ETAPA EP has implemented small decentralized treatment plants that currently have deficiencies in treatment or are no longer in operation. This study evaluates and redesigns the treatment plant located in the community of Acchayacu, in Tarqui, with the objective of providing a definitive technical solution to the system that currently discharges into a ravine used for agricultural activities. The project included field and laboratory studies; thus, an assessment of the current state of operation of the PTAR was carried out; after that, a technology selection study was carried out followed by a proposal for redesigning the system, which consists of a preliminary treatment (bar screen and grit chamber), the readjustment of the primary treatment (septic tank), secondary treatment (vertical wetlands first stage French style) and a tertiary treatment (disinfection). As part of the detailed engineering design, the study includes construction plans, technical design report, system operation and maintenance manual and construction budget.