Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
In the region of the Beira Interior some sources of water do not present characteristics suitable for some uses due to the discharge of not well treated effluents or because are over-exploited (namely aquifers). However, the water demand will grow in this region to meet socio-economic activities under development (the Cova da Beira irrigation plan, irrigation of golf courses and green areas, spas and distribution for human and industrial consumption), which will lead to the search of alternative sources of water. In this context, the treated wastewater is beeing seen as a source of water to be used and not a waste to be eliminated.
After a monitoring campaign of two years in the wastewater treatment plant of Vila Fernando (Guarda), which included a constructed wetland system, the characteristics of the final effluent suggest that it could be used for the recharge of aquifers, not only because it is an area that uses essentially groundwater sources, but because other uses seem to be not relevant and would require a polishing treatment for the secondary effluent, which would higher the costs of operation.
From six thematic maps and economic, environmental and technical criteria, it was selected a study area of 6687.1 ha, and, after manipulation of complex information using GIS tools, based on the overlapping areas of exclusion and inclusion in each thematic maps and using algebra of maps operations, it was obtained a Suitable Map with a favorable area for infiltration of 6.4 ha (Figure 1). An area of 1 300 m2 would be enough to set up four infiltration basins (18x18 m each), that would work in alternating cycles of filling-infiltration-cleaning-filling.
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Citation
Silva, Flora; Albuquerque, António; Marecos do Monte, Helena; Cavaleiro, Victor; Carvalho, António (2012). Site selection for reclaimed water infiltration using GIS tools. In IWA Regional Conference on Wastewater Purification & Reuse. Heraklion, Creta, Grécia