Urban Wastewater Treatment Through a System of Green Filters in the Montañita Commune, Santa Elena, Ecuador

Abstract

In land application, soil is used as a natural filter to remove pollution from urban wastewater. The soil also has two other functions, first of all it's the receiving medium of wastewater and secondly it works as an active agent because physical, chemical and biological reactions are made in the soil-water-crops ecosystem. This non-conventional treatment is effective at removing pollutants such as suspended solids, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus and microorganism form effluent streams. The aim of this study is to design a pilot plant using soil as a natural filter for the treatment of wastewater discharge from oxidation ponds located in the Montañita commune through selecting and evaluating the site, calculating the design hydraulic load and the area necessary for system application. To take samples at different depths, a lysimeter was constructed that allowed to take samples at 30, 60 and 90 cm of depth. The variables that were measured in the treated water were total coliforms and BOD5. These variables were related to the values calculated for the discharge of the oxidation ponds and the percentage of removal for each sample taken. As a result, high removal percentages were obtained at 90 cm depth with respect to the level of application of the residual water. Percentages of up to 79% for total coliforms and 80% for BOD5 were obtained. These results are consistent with the limits established in the UTSLME (Unified Text of the Secondary Legislation of the Ministry of Environment). Finally, it could be concluded that soil in the area where the land application pilot plant was developed is suitable for efficient removal of the contaminants present in the discharge of oxidation ponds. This system contributed to the reduction of the pollution generated; in addition, the treatment of wastewater helps reforestation of this arid zone.

Groundwater Resilience Assessment in a Communal Coastal Aquifer System. The Case of Manglaralto in Santa Elena, Ecuador

“…However, since the creation of JAAPMAN, the success factors have been community participation based on ancestral knowledge [62], the interaction between the academy and the community, and the ability to make alliances reflected in technical cooperation projects with national and international organizations [63,67]. In addition, the key factors are projects with practices based on sustainability, such as treating wastewater through green filters and promoting reforestation, thus, expanding the social responsibility of supplying water to the population by attending to wastewater and integrating it into the water cycle (Figures 2-4) [72]. Ultimately, the sum of all these elements allows the community in its specific territory to participate in solutions and have resilience.…”

“…The assistance of academia has promoted the protection of the aquifer, prohibited the exploitation of construction material, and implemented reforestation campaigns in the area under study [62]. In 2017, CIPAT began community service projects to monitor the geometry of the aquifer, the water quality, and the wastewater treatment with the application of green filters to maintain and ensure water sustainability ( Figure 4) [72]. The actions by public institutions and academia have shown that the efforts of management policies to counteract the effects of scarcity and the high demand for water in groundwater basins such as the Manglaralto basin have not been enough.…”

Considerations in the Methodology for the Technical-Environmental Viability of Sanitary Landfills in Rural Communities. Northern Case of the Province of Santa Elena, Ecuador

“…The Manglaralto parish has excellent geological diversity that promotes tourist activity in the sector and its conservation of geosites and sustainable development in various areas, such as social, economic, environmental, and cultural [25,26]. Its resilience is reflected in the management of drinking water through the coastal aquifer and the supply to its six communes, the conservation of geosites and increase of its tourist resource, the management of its wastewater through green filters, among other projects focused mainly on the progress and advancement of the community [27][28][29].…”

Flow and Transport Numerical Model of a Coastal Aquifer Based on the Hydraulic Importance of a Dyke and Its Impact on Water Quality. Manglaralto—Ecuador

“…On the other hand, the issue of water and its management has recently been treated as an object of greater interest by many government researchers thanks to community participation, accompanied by ancestral knowledge, which have been key factors in solving problems regarding obtaining and distributing water, ensuring that the residents develop techniques to recharge the aquifer [18]. Within this participation, there are other significant parties involved, such as the International Atomic Energy Organization (IAEA) and the ESPOL Polytechnic University, which together with the community have managed to meet the growing water demand, rescuing ancestral knowledge by implementing tapes (artisanal dykes), addressing the overexploitation of the aquifer and empowering communities in water management [42]. However, in the geographical environment, problems remain due to tourism growth and climate change.…”