A Simple Method for Identifying Appropriate Areas for Onsite Wastewater Treatment

IRIBARNEGARAY, M. A.; CORREA, J. J.; JAZMÍN, J.M.R.; CLAVIJO LARA, A.; RODRIGUEZ ALVAREZ, M.S.; SEGHEZZO, L.

Water

MDPI

Lugar: Basel; Año: 2021 vol. 13 p. 1 - 18

Onsite Domestic Wastewater Treatment Systems (ODWTS) are increasingly important fortreating domestic wastewater in metropolitan contexts, especially in suburban sectors isolated from sewer networks and centralized treatment plants. When ODWTS are not correctly planned and located in suitable places, or are not properly designed, they can cause groundwater contamination and generate risks for human health. This work presents a Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) to zone specific areas based on a few simple parameters. The proposed tool can be easily adapted to different contexts, even where institutional capacities are low. Results obtained in the metropolitan area of the Lerma Valley (Salta, Argentina) show strong contradictions between our zoning and current urbanization features in the study area. As a result, environmental impacts and healthhazards are likely to manifest in the short or medium term. The sectors with the best receptivityconditions were found in the southern sector of the study area. We argue that ODWTS can be safelyimplemented in many areas as long as this concept is embedded in urban planning initiatives, whichusually also require the consolidation or development of appropriate institutions and control systems.