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Construction of a water treatment plant and sewer system for the Guaqui town, Department of La Paz / Municipality of Guaqui

Overview

General Information

Author

Roberto Méndez

Last updated

June 2018

Overall goal

Improve the current living conditions of Guaqui's inhabitants through the implementation of an appropriate sewage system, benefiting the overall population (perspective for the next 20 years)

Country

  • Bolivia

Budget

Bs. 7.000.000 (approximately USD 1'000'000)

Duration

September 2016 - July 2017 (approximately 10 months)

Summary

Description

Due to the absence of a wastewater treatment plant treatment plant in the Guaqui town, wastewater is discharged directly to Titicaca Lake, causing serious water pollution. Through the construction of a sewage treatment plant, the water pollution will be reduced along with an improvement of the living conditions of the local population. However, as a result of frequent lake level fluctuations, the sewage treatment plant might suffer negative impacts from flooding. In addition, frosts during the cold winter months can affect the plant's main components such as (i) sewage collection network and sewer manhole, (ii) emissary, (iii) pumping sump, (iv) pumping line, (v) treatment plant, (vi) infiltration ditches.

Keywords

  • Wastewater treatment system
  • sewage collection network
  • emissary
  • pump stations
  • lake contamination
  • Bolivia
  • Floods
  • frosts

Sectors of Intervention

  • Health
  • Tourism
  • Water and sanitation

Images

Risk perspective

Hazards arising from environmental degradation

Hazard name

Water pollution (surface and subterranean)

Exposure

Not sure

Comments

Domestic sewage is untreated and are discharged into the fields/grounds and lake

Consequence

Laminar erosion of contaminated soils and effluent infiltration could result in contamination of surface and groundwaters to the detriment of uncovered populations

Likelihood

Unlikely

Extent

Harmful

Risk Level

Low risk

Hazard name

Degradation (land, soil, ecosystems, biodiversity)

Exposure

Yes

Comments

Altiplano zone with various erosional processes caused by wind (60%) and water (40%), relief with slopes between 2 and 10%.

Consequence

Silting of network, pumping sump and treatment plant

Likelihood

Likely

Extent

Slightly harmful

Risk Level

Low risk

Natural hazards (hydro-meteorological and geological)

Hazard name

Flash floods, floods

Exposure

Yes

Comments

According to the local hazard map, the water treatment plant is located in a flood prone area. Flood events occurred in 1986, 2002 and 2012. Approximately every 15 years.

Consequence

Damage of the wastewater treatment plant components such as pumping sump. Overflow of stabilization lagoons would contaminate crops near the plant

Likelihood

Very likely

Extent

Extremely harmful

Risk Level

High risk

Consequence

Damage to crops and animal fodder in surrounding areas due to flooding

Likelihood

Likely

Extent

Harmful

Risk Level

Medium risk

Hazard name

Extreme cold

Exposure

Not sure

Comments

At the project site, between 90 to 180 days per year with frosts are observed, 3'835 m above sea level, average temperatures around 4°C, minimum temperatures until -10°C. It happens on average every 2 years.

Consequence

Problems in the operation of the plant and reduced efficiency of the oxidation lagoons

Likelihood

Likely

Extent

Harmful

Risk Level

Medium risk

Hazards arising from climate change (and climate variability)

Hazard name

Changes in frequency and intensity of climatic extreme events and associated disasters (e.g. cold and heat waves, flood, drought, storms, hurricanes, cyclones)

Exposure

Not sure

Comments

There are variations of extreme temperatures, mainly frost with a tendency to increase in the future

Consequence

It could affect the operation and efficiency of the wastewater treatment plant in oxidation lagoons

Likelihood

Unlikely

Extent

Harmful

Risk Level

Low risk

Detailed risk assessment needed?

Yes - A detailed risk assessment is needed

Impact perspective

Estimate impact on the environment

Environmental Area

Water

Component of the activity

Wastewater treatment plant

Impact on environment

Bad odors from the plant could disturb the surrounding population

Estimate impact on disaster risks

Component of the activity

Wastewater treatment plant

Exacerbated or newly created risk

Could be an incentive for the construction of new settlements in areas at risk from flooding

Estimate impact on climate change

Component of the activity

Wastewater treatment plant

Impacts on climate change

Greenhouse gas emissions from oxidation lagoons

Detailed impact assessment needed?

Yes - A detailed impact assessment is needed