Efficacy of the organic coagulants in the reduction of turbidity in municipal irrigation water in Lima, Peru

Resumen

Generally, the water used by the districts of Lima, Peru, to irrigate the green areas in their jurisdiction is surface water treated with inorganic coagulants such as aluminum sulfate and iron sulfate. These products are chemical compounds of aluminum or iron salts used to make water potable and eliminate impurities through coagulation and flocculation processes; however, the use of these chemical compounds has disadvantages associated with high prices, generation of toxic sludge, and adverse effects on health and the environment. Therefore, this study proposes an alternative to contribute to sustainable management at the local level. Thus, the aim of this paper was to evaluate the efficacy of papaya seed (Carica papaya) and prickly pear (Opuntia ficus indica) as organic coagulants to reduce the turbidity of irrigation water in the district of Magdalena del Mar, Lima, Peru. The methodology is purely experimental, since it uses the jar test to determine the optimum concentrations of both coagulants. The results show that these concentrations are 0.2 and 0.1 g/L, with an efficacy of 97% and 95% with respect to the reduction of turbidity in irrigation water, for papaya seed and prickly pear seed, respectively. For the above reasons, it is recommended that the research be expanded to consider economic aspects in order to evaluate the feasibility of use by local governments.