TY - JOUR
T1 - Comparative Assessment of Wastewater Treatment Technologies for Pollutant Removal in High-Altitude Andean Sites
AU - Jerves-Cobo, Rubén
AU - Maldonado, Edwin
AU - Hidalgo-Cordero, Juan Fernando
AU - García-Herazo, Hernán
AU - Mora-Serrano, Diego
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 by the authors.
PY - 2025/6
Y1 - 2025/6
N2 - This study evaluated the pollutant removal efficiency of two decentralized wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) located in the high-altitude southern Andes of Ecuador, Acchayacu and Churuguzo, from 2015 to 2024. Acchayacu previously operated using an upflow anaerobic filter (UAF), and from 2021, it transitioned to using vertical-subsurface-flow constructed wetlands (VSSF-CWs). In contrast, Churuguzo employs surface-flow constructed wetlands (SF-CWs). These systems were assessed based on parameters such as the five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total phosphorus, organic nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, total solids, fecal coliforms (TTCs), and total coliforms (TCs). The data were divided into two subperiods to account for the change in technology in Acchayacu. Statistical analysis was conducted to determine whether significant differences existed between the treatment efficiencies of these technologies, and the SF-CW was found to consistently outperform both the UAF and VSSF-CW in removing organic matter and microbial pollutants. This difference is likely attributed to the longer hydraulic retention time, lower hydraulic loading rate, and vegetation type. The findings highlight the environmental implications of treatment technology selection in WWTPs, particularly regarding the quality of receiving water bodies and their potential applications for public health, proper water resource management, and the design of decentralized systems in high-altitude regions, especially in developing countries.
AB - This study evaluated the pollutant removal efficiency of two decentralized wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) located in the high-altitude southern Andes of Ecuador, Acchayacu and Churuguzo, from 2015 to 2024. Acchayacu previously operated using an upflow anaerobic filter (UAF), and from 2021, it transitioned to using vertical-subsurface-flow constructed wetlands (VSSF-CWs). In contrast, Churuguzo employs surface-flow constructed wetlands (SF-CWs). These systems were assessed based on parameters such as the five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total phosphorus, organic nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, total solids, fecal coliforms (TTCs), and total coliforms (TCs). The data were divided into two subperiods to account for the change in technology in Acchayacu. Statistical analysis was conducted to determine whether significant differences existed between the treatment efficiencies of these technologies, and the SF-CW was found to consistently outperform both the UAF and VSSF-CW in removing organic matter and microbial pollutants. This difference is likely attributed to the longer hydraulic retention time, lower hydraulic loading rate, and vegetation type. The findings highlight the environmental implications of treatment technology selection in WWTPs, particularly regarding the quality of receiving water bodies and their potential applications for public health, proper water resource management, and the design of decentralized systems in high-altitude regions, especially in developing countries.
KW - constructed wetlands
KW - efficient removal
KW - high-altitude regions
KW - sustainable water management
KW - wastewater treatment
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105009045724
U2 - 10.3390/w17121800
DO - 10.3390/w17121800
M3 - Artículo
AN - SCOPUS:105009045724
SN - 2073-4441
VL - 17
JO - Water (Switzerland)
JF - Water (Switzerland)
IS - 12
M1 - 1800
ER -
