Tratamiento de agua mediante plantas piloto para el sector rural, aplicando tecnologías de biofiltración. Caso de estudio: utilizando antracita y arcillas.

Abstract

Abstract: An emerging and economical technology for water supply is a decentralized system of aerated biofilters. The biofilters operate with a support material, generating a biofilm for the formation of microorganisms in the filter bed, the microorganisms eliminate pathogens and heavy metals present in the water. The research purpose is to determine the effectiveness of aerated biofilters with A-M-AP and A-M-AZ to remove physical and chemical substances from water in relation to a comparison material (Anthracite). The results revealed that these technologies do not comply with all water quality standards according to the WHO, but they reduce in a large percentage the contamination between the source and the harvest water. In addition, biofilters are efficient in the elimination of total dissolved solids (TDS), improve the PH, and in terms of health reduce concentrations between 40 to 80% of metals such as Lead, Aluminum, Magnesium, Zinc and Manganese. However, the filters do not have the potential to eliminate: Iron, Copper and Calcium and have not been tested to see if they meet microbiological quality terms.