Feasibility Analysis of the Utilization of Constructed Wetlands in Small High-Andean Urban Agglomerations

Pineda J. L., Coaquira D., Coaquira L. C., De la Cruz D. W., and Jara M.

Public University of Juliaca, Peru

Abstract: This article shows the results of bibliographic and documentary research and an in-situ visit to the treatment plants of small populations around the circunlacustrine ring of Lake Titicaca; with the aim of carrying out a feasibility analysis of the utilization and exploitation of artificial wetlands (wetlands) as an alternative for the domestic wastewater treatment of small urban agglomerations in high-Andean areas. From the visit to the thirteen localities and fourteen treatment plants, it was observed that in six of them, they just have stabilization ponds, and without maintenance, and eight have biological filter treatments and from these, just three have some maintenance, that is why the great majority is practically abandoned. In addition, they do not have an energy supply and they have sloping orographic conditions, as far as there is a great potential of eleven treatment plants, for the extensive technologies implementation (artificial wetlands), thereby reducing the discharge of wastewater without any treatment to the Lake Titicaca.