Author(s)

BETHY MERCHÁN-SANMARTíN, PAÚL CARRIÓN-MERO, SEBASTIÁN SUÁREZ-ZAMORA, FERNANDO MORANTE-CARBALLO, MARIBEL AGUILAR-AGUILAR, OMAR CRUZ-CABRERA, KATHERINE HIDALGO-CALVA

Abstract

Drinking water is an indispensable resource for human activities and health; therefore, it must be appropriately managed. The university campus of the Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL), since it was inaugurated in 1991, has been implementing various drinking water distribution systems that not being subject to a master plan, have led to present problems to the point of requiring a redesign. This study aims to elaborate the drinking water master plan by analyzing the existing situation and applying technical-sustainable criteria to efficiently manage the current and future water resources of a university campus. The methodology consists of: (i) data collection and processing for assessment and diagnosis, (ii) design of technical proposal, (iii) preparation of environmental analysis and reference budget. The proposal contemplates the supply for 5,667 inhabitants over 15 years in a strategically selected area, which includes the management of a model based on the circular economy. Therefore, the project was environmentally and economically viable for campus expansion purposes.

Keywords

water resources, circular economy, water supply, reservoir, water management