Diseño del sistema de agua potable para la localidad de el milagro, cantón Balsas, provincia de El Oro

Abstract

Access to drinking water is a fundamental right and a key factor for the health and socio-economic development of communities. In the El Milagro sector, Balsas canton, El Oro province, the absence of a potable water system forces residents to rely on unregulated sources, exposing them to health risks and limiting their development. Currently, the community depends on untreated informal water intakes with high turbidity, microbiological contamination, and irregular supply, especially during the rainy season, compromising public health and hindering regional progress. To address this issue, the design of a potable water supply system is proposed, complying with Ecuadorian regulations and ensuring a continuous and safe supply. The available water sources, their supply capacity, and quality were evaluated through physico-chemical and bacteriological studies. Additionally, topographic surveys and community surveys were conducted to assess their needs and current conditions. The proposed design is based on hydraulic and sanitary engineering principles, considering a future population of 150 inhabitants over a 20-year design period and a flow rate of 0.506 l/s, according to the projected demand. This design encompasses the processes of water intake, conduction, treatment, storage, and distribution, ensuring an efficient and safe supply. A multi-stage filtration system (FiME) was chosen, incorporating dynamic coarse filters (FGDi), slow sand filters (FLA), and a disinfection system. The selection of this system was based on water quality analyses, considering key parameters such as turbidity, color, and the presence of fecal coliforms. For the intake structure, a bottom intake was considered ideal due to the low flow rate in the water source. For water conduction, the use of high-density polyethylene pipes with a nominal diameter of 50 mm was proposed. The conduction line has a total length of 1.976 km, extending from the bottom intake with a screen to the treatment plant. However, due to the sector’s irregular topographic conditions and the plant's location, the conduction line did not reach the minimum speed recommended by current regulations to prevent potential sedimentation. The calculated velocity was estimated at 0.304 m/s, falling below the required 0.60 m/s according to the Design Requirements of the Ecuadorian Construction Code (NEC-11). The modeling of the distribution network revealed that the use of pipes smaller than 75 mm at the beginning of the system caused significant issues, preventing water from reaching the most remote points due to high friction losses. Specifically, nodes 13, 14, and 15 recorded pressures below the minimum required 10-meter water column. Node 13 was the most affected, as it supplies homes located 3 to 4 meters above, failing to comply with the CPE INEN 5-1992 standard.