Decentralized sewage treatment and reuse systems in an isolated neighbourhood in Salta, Argentina

L. SEGHEZZO, A. P. TRUPIANO, W. A. TEJERINA, V. I. LIBERAL AND C. M. CUEVAS

Wageningen, Holanda

Conferencia; The Sanitation Challenge. An International Conference on New Sanitation Concepts and Models of Governance; 2008

International Water Association (IWA), Wageningen University and Resarch Center (WUR), Lettinga Associates Foundation (LeAF)

The design, operation, and transfer of a sewage treatment system for single households is presented and discussed. The system, locally known as “STAR”, Spanish acronym for “wastewater treatment system” (Sistema de Tratamiento de Aguas Residuales), includes primary and secondary treatment, a filtration process, an optional disinfection stage to remove pathogens if required, and final disposal alternatives. Treated effluents can be reused for irrigation. Secondary treatment is provided by an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor. Five systems have been operating at a geographically isolated neighbourhood in Salta, Argentina. Effluents complied with discharge standards for organic matter. The system minimizes the risk of polluting the groundwater table and considerably reduces the investment demanded by conventional sewers and centralized treatment plants. Systematic monitoring is essential to assess the operation and optimize future designs. Training courses to transfer this technology to end users and promote its safe and successful implementation are under way.