Diseño de un sistema descentralizado de saneamiento para comunidades de la parroquia San Cristóbal, Cantón Paute, Provincia del Azuay.

Abstract

This project focuses on designing a decentralized sanitation system for the communities of Pueblo Nuevo, Pampa Negra, La Dolorosa, and Bellavista, located in San Cristóbal, Paute, Azuay. Its objective is to implement a sustainable and suitable solution for wastewater treatment, improving the inhabitants' quality of life and reducing environmental pollution and contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), health and well-being (SDG 3), and the protection of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems (SDG 15). The project development included diagnosing the current system through surveys, field visits, and regulatory analyses, as well as characterizing the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the wastewater. Three treatment alternatives were designed: stabilization ponds, upflow anaerobic filters (UAF) with constructed wetlands, and upflow anaerobic reactors (UAR) with disinfection. The technical design of each alternative was based on national and international regulations, assessing their technical, operational, and economic feasibility. The results indicated that the UAF system with subsurface wetlands offers an optimal balance between removal efficiency, operational sustainability, and minimal environmental impact, achieving treatment levels that comply with current regulations. It is concluded that decentralized systems, such as the one proposed, are viable solutions for rural communities with limited resources, contributing to public health and environmental sustainability. Palabras Clave: Decentralized sanitation, wastewater, UAF, sustainable treatment.