Evaluación de la eficiencia de la planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales de la Universidad Técnica de Machala

Abstract

The present study aims to evaluate the efficiency of the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) at the Technical University of Machala. Initially, the georeferencing and extent of the WWTP were established, as well as the quantification of the inlet flow rate through volumetry. Subsequently, the water quality of the influent and effluent was characterized through physical, chemical, and microbiological analyses, comparing the results with the permissible quality criteria established in the NORMA: AM097A. This allowed evaluating the effectiveness of the WWTP’s operation in terms of pollutant removal. The results demonstrated relatively low removals for the main parameters: 46.48% for BOD, 44.68% for COD, 55.55% for oils and greases, and 38.97% for total solids. Although the effluent currently complies with the maximum permissible limits for discharge into the public sewerage system, there is a latent risk of exceeding these limits in the future if corrective measures are not implemented. Therefore, a Technical Action Plan was formulated to optimize the WWTP, proposing an Operation and Maintenance Manual to improve the effluent quality. This is essential, considering that the WWTP is currently operating well below its design capacity due to the low inlet flow and the absence of maintenance activities and assigned operational personnel. For this reason, this study provides up-to-date technical information on the structural and functional situation of the WWTP at the Technical University of Machala, identifying opportunities for improvement to ensure long-term regulatory compliance and minimize the environmental impacts associated with wastewater discharge.