Integrating Practical Teaching in Environmental Engineering: A Case Study of a Fecal Sludge Treatment System in the Rural Sector of Tarqui Parish, Cuenca Canton-Azuay

ABSTRACT (INGLES) (*)Fecal sludge treatment is crucial in rural areas where basic sanitation is limited. In Tarqui Parish, located in the Azuay Province of Ecuador, many communities remain outside the reach of the sewage system, relying instead on alternative technologies such as septic tanks and cesspools. While these solutions offer temporary relief, they present significant challenges in terms of management and maintenance, often leading to environmental contamination and posing serious public health risks. Improperly managed fecal sludge can spread pathogens, contaminate water sources, and degrade the overall living environment (Granda-Tepán & Encalada-Loja, 2019).Tarqui Parish holds historical and cultural significance as a rural community deeply rooted in the traditions of the Andean region. Originally known for its agricultural activities, it has evolved to incorporate small-scale commerce and service industries, but it still faces infrastructural limitations typical of rural Ecuadorian parishes. The local population, characterized by a strong sense of community and tradition, plays an essential role in shaping and accepting infrastructural projects aimed at improving living conditions. For any intervention to be successful, it must not only meet technical requirements but also align with the values and practices of the community. In this context, sanitation issues, such as the improper disposal of fecal sludge, present a critical challenge that directly affects both the public health and the environmental sustainability of the area (El Telégrafo - Tarqui, Su Historia y Prospectiva, n. d.).The acceptance and success of a fecal sludge treatment system in Tarqui Parish will largely depend on local beliefs and practices regarding waste management and environmental stewardship. Many rural communities in the Andean region have traditional views of waste and land use, often seeing waste disposal as a natural process managed through organic means or communal efforts. Introducing modern sanitation technologies requires a sensitive approach that respects these beliefs while educating the population on the long-term health and environmental benefits of such systems. Any resistance stemming from traditional practices can be mitigated through community outreach, demonstrating how the system integrates with local customs and enhances, rather than disrupts, their way of life. The lack of proper sanitation infrastructure in Tarqui Parish underscores the need for innovative, sustainable solutions. This study focuses on designing a pilot plant for the treatment of fecal sludge, aiming to develop an efficient system that stabilizes sludge and maximizes water recovery. By providing adequate waste disposal, this project seeks to contribute to the basic sanitation of the community while minimizing its environmental footprint. The pilot plant is envisioned as a model that can be replicated in other rural areas with similar challenges, thereby enhancing public hea.