Wastewater Valorisation through biological trEatment and Reduction of its impact on the aquatic enviRonment
In Ecuador, 12% of the total land area is devoted to agriculture, of which 60% is located along the coast (Costa) and 35% in the Amazon region (Oriente). In many instances, agricultural activities (such as livestock feed production) and aquaculture are conducted by small, trusted enterprises. In addition to these farmers, other businesses and households are not connected to the sewage system. Only 30% of domestic wastewater is treated in Ecuador. A significant issue currently faced is the discharge of untreated wastewater from these point sources into the surrounding surface water bodies without any purification. This results in the influx of excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, leading to eutrophication and thereby reducing the quality of the surface water. In some regions (like the Costa), a scarcity of fresh water is a major concern. This project proposal aims to achieve several objectives:
Reducing the impact of wastewater discharge on the aquatic environment.
Reusing the treated wastewater.
The project's approach involves treating the wastewater with an abiogenic treatment step coupled with cost-effective technologies (adsorption, membranes). This will diminish the influx of excess nutrients into the surrounding surface water bodies, reducing the impact on the receiving water body. The wastewater can also be reused. As part of the biological treatment technology, the use of microalgae and local aquatic plants such as Azolla (fern), Eichhornia, and Pistia could be considered. These species have the potential to convert the nutrients in the wastewater into high-value intracellular compounds, such as proteins. In this way, the harvested biomass can be valorized. The focus will be on technologies that facilitate the reuse of wastewater, potentially incorporating natural local materials. The results of the project will also serve as an incentive for local and national politics to promote water reuse.
