Author(s): María Fernanda Ruíz Parada
Email (s): a01732674@itesm.mx
Institution or organization of origin: Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey
Country: Mexico
Abstract
The Tzoncoyotl River has been a water source for irrigation and domestic use for dozens of families. This waterbody is located in the municipality of Teteles de Ávila Castillo, in the northeastern sierra of the Mexican state of Puebla. In this township, there are water-based economic activities such as potato farming, backyard gardens, and cattle raising. Due to the lack of drainage, this river suffers from contamination generated by the discharge of domestic wastewater, causing a significant change in water quality. Consequently, the endemic flora and fauna are gradually disappearing within the ecosystem. The objective of this work was to design an artificial wetland to treat wastewater discharge in the Tzoncoyotl River and to evaluate the environmental, social, and economic impacts of such wetland in Teteles de Ávila Castillo, Puebla.
The artificial wetland will improve the water quality of the Tzoncoyotl River by using native plants of the region. In addition, it is expected that with the application of this type of nature-based system, it will be possible to regenerate and attract back the lost endemic biodiversity and at the same time support the population in the rational use of this resource. The environmental, social, and economic indicators that will be quantitatively enhanced from the implementation of a wetland for wastewater treatment are citizen participation, participation of public and private institutions, biodiversity, water and food produced quality, as well as economy and sustainability of the municipality.