Evaluation of the Operational Status of an Extended Aeration Activated Sludge Reactor through Measurement of Cod and Nitrogen Fractionation.

The rapid population growth in the southern part of Quito, driven by the pursuit of material prosperity, has increased wastewater production, leading to discharges into water bodies and affecting water quality. In this context, characterizing wastewater is crucial for reliable operational decision making. This research evaluates the WWTP Quitumbe bioreactor in terms of COD and nitrogen fractionation, considering the sludge age as a controlled variable. Wastewater samples were collected at inlet and outlet points of the bioreactor, and a physico-chemical method was used for COD fractionation. The results indicate a predominance of slowly biodegradable COD (XS) and removal rates of 95% for biodegradable COD and 93% for ammonia nitrogen, demonstrating biodegradation capacity. Incomplete denitrification was confirmed, along with a cell retention time of 20 days. This study provides a solid foundation for enhancing the operational management of WWTP Quitumbe.