Diseño de alcantarillado pluvial en el sector este de Puerto Villamil, Galápagos: Aplicación de soluciones convencionales y de drenaje urbano sostenible.

Abstract

The Island of Isabela, located in the Galápagos Archipelago, faces challenges related to water management due to the area's characteristics and extreme climatic events. This project aims to design an efficient and sustainable stormwater drainage system for Puerto Villamil, reducing the impact of flooding and improving urban infrastructure conditions. The project is justified by the need to prevent the saturation of the existing sanitary network and minimize environmental damage in an ecologically sensitive region. The hypothesis suggests that incorporating Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDs) will significantly reduce runoff volume and optimize stormwater management. The design was carried out using analytical calculations in spreadsheets, supported and verified with the SWMM software, following current technical standards. Techniques such as flow analysis and hydraulic capacity assessments of pipes were applied, alongside the evaluation of SUDs, including permeable pavements, structural tree pits, and rain gardens. The local topography and soil characteristics were considered to ensure the project's feasibility. The results show a 38% reduction in runoff volume, enabling the optimization of excavation depths and pipe diameters. The design includes 136 pipes, 136 manholes, and 3 discharge points, with 2.12 hectares allocated to SUDs. The estimated budget is $3.9 million, balanced between traditional infrastructure and sustainability measures. This project mitigates flood risks, improves urban conditions, and promotes responsible water management, ensuring a better quality of life for the inhabitants of Puerto Villamil. Moreover, it protects the island's unique ecosystems and fosters sustainable development in a region of high ecological importance, directly contributing to SDGs 6, 11, and 14. Keywords: Stormwater drainage, runoff, sustainability, hydraulic design, SUDs.