EVALUATION OF WASTEWATER IN THE SUGAR INDUSTRY FOR ITS USE IN AGRICULTURAL IRRIGATION

Abstract

Introduction:
Nowadays the pollutants produced in water exceed the capabilities of its decontamination mechanisms. It is necessary to evaluate the wastewater belonging to the Central Refinería Ecuador (Sugar Refinery Ecuador).
Objective:
To evaluate the quality of the wastewater from the Central Refinería Ecuador (Sugar Refinery Ecuador) for its possible use in agricultural irrigation.
Materials and Methods:
The quality of the wastewater was evaluated through physical, chemical and microbiological tests.
Results and Discussion:
The main physical, chemical and microbiological results evaluated at two points in time were: temperature 46.6 and 43.6 ºC, electrical conductivity 2 359 and 1 366 μS cm^-1, sedimentable solids 8 and 3.50 mL L^-1. pH 5.8 and 6.3 pH units, total phosphorus 5 and 3.75 mg L^-1, total nitrogen 4.20 and 6.45 mg L^-1, chemical oxygen demand 1 832 and 1 742 mg L^-1, biochemical oxygen demand 1 671 and 1 451 mg L^-1, fats and oils 296.90 and 30.90 mg L^-1; cadmium 0.06 and 0.16 mg L^-1, total chromium 0.10 and 0.20 mg L^-1, copper 1.19 and 1.80 mg L^-1, lead 0.43 and 0.55 mg L^-1, zinc 1.37 and 2.33 mg L^-1, total coliforms 8 800 000 and 160 000 mg L^-1 and fecal coliforms 8 800 000 and 1 070 000 mg L^-1.
Conclusions:
The effluent does not comply with the discharge requirements of NC 27, (2012) and is classified of poor quality to be used for sugarcane irrigation according to NC 855, (2011).