FACTORES DETERMINANTES DEL GRADO DE AGLOMERACIÓN ÓPTIMO DE LAS AGUAS RESIDUALES GENERADAS EN PEQUEÑAS POBLACIONES URBANAS UTILIZANDO CRITERIOS DE SOSTENIBILIDAD

Abstract

In recent decades have been developed increasingly efficient technologies in sanitation and wastewater treatment. In contrast, it has been less studied the previous planning phase, which has focused on the implementation of convencional treatment plants that centralize large volumes of wastewater. Currently, especially in small urban agglomerations or disseminated population centers, more sustainable strategies to wastewater treatment are needed. In order to adapt their systems to European standards regarding the protection of the environment, these populations must overcome a shortage of technical and economic means through solutions such as clustering or decentralizing its wastewater systems. Based on the fundamental criteria of sustainable development, this document analyzes the main factors influencing planning more convenient system which determine the most suitable level of aggregation of the wastewater generated by these populations for their more sustainable treatment and management. Factors such as the distances between population centers, the costs of operation and maintenance of facilities or opportunities for reuse of treated effluent, are key in the decision.