Technical and Sustainable Design of a Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant in the Santa Clara de Tulpo farmhouse, Mollebamba – La Libertad, Peru

Abstract

This paper presents the design of a sustainable wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) for the rural community of Santa Clara de Tulpo, located in the district of Mollebamba, La Libertad, Peru. The proposed system addresses the lack of basic sanitation, which directly impacts public health and environmental quality. The study involved topographic surveying, soil mechanics analysis, hydraulic modeling, and population projections for a 20-year horizon. The plant consists of an Imhoff tank, drying beds, percolating biofilters, and adsorption wells. These units were designed following the Peruvian Technical Standard OS.090. The system achieved an estimated 94% removal of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), ensuring effluent quality within environmental limits. This work offers a viable and replicable solution for small rural communities lacking proper wastewater treatment infrastructure.