Efecto de Biofiltro para tratamiento doméstico del agua de un tramo del río Chira, centro poblado La Peña – Querecotillo, Sullana

Abstract

For full Access to safe drinking water is one of the main challenges for many rural communities in Peru, where the lack of treatment infrastructure forces the population to consume water from natural sources that may have varying levels of contamination. In this context, this research aimed to design a biofilter for the non-conventional treatment of water from a section of the Chira River located in the town of La Peña, Querecotillo district, Sullana province. The methodology involved the design and construction of a biofilter using readily available materials such as cotton, gravel, sand, and charcoal, which retain particles and reduce contaminants present in the water. Physicochemical and microbiological analyses were also performed before and after the filtration process to evaluate the system's efficiency. The results showed improvements in various water quality parameters, notably the reduction of suspended solids, microorganisms, and other contaminants. These findings suggest that the use of biofilters is a viable, economical, and sustainable alternative for water treatment in rural areas where conventional water purification systems are unavailable. Finally, it is recommended to promote the implementation of these types of appropriate technologies in communities with limited access to safe water.