Diseño del sistema depurador de aguas residuales del Hospital Básico Manglaralto, Santa Elena

Abstract

CONDITION FOR PUBLICATION OF PROJECT. The treatment of hospital wastewater is not regulated by Ecuadorian standards, causing healthcare facilities to use outdated systems. The current system at Manglaralto Basic Hospital (cesspool) experiences failures during rainfall events, putting patients and the community at risk. The objective of this project is to design a hospital wastewater treatment system for Manglaralto Basic Hospital through the use and application of local regulations, wastewater characteristics, and unit processes and operations, to protect public health and the environment. The analyses revealed a COD/BOD5 ratio of 28.74 (low-biodegradability wastewater), which requires a physicochemical treatment system. With a 20-year design period, 25 projected beds, and a design flow rate of 1.31 L/s, a compact treatment plant was designed, including coagulationflocculation processes and dual filtration with sand-gravel beds and zeolite with activated carbon. The system reduces the pollutant load of turbidity (99%), ammonium (91%), and emerging contaminants (90%), contributing to SDGs 3, 6, and 11. The initial investment in CAPEX amounts to USD 62,230.71, with operation and maintenance (OPEX) costs of USD 18,675.73. Environmental costs total USD 2,853.75 (CAPEX) and USD 753.65 (OPEX) per year, excluding VAT. Finally, an operation and maintenance manual was proposed, to be calibrated during commissioning and then permanently adjusted as needed. Keywords: Wastewater, hospital, treatment, emerging contaminants.