Author(s): Marcelo Omar Scagliola, Ana Paula Comino

Linked Author(s): Marcelo Omar Scagliola, Ana Paula Comino

Keywords: Submarine outfall; Monitoring microbiological indicators; Recreational quality; Beaches; T90;

Abstract: After 30 years of technical and economic difficulties, the submarine outfall of the city began operation (December 2014). The outfall, designed for 9m3/s flow, consists of HDPE pipe (4120 m long, 2 m diameter,540 m diffuser) perpendicular to the coast. The new WWTP (2018), have coarse and fine grids, grit chambers and degreasers prior to 3 mm rotary sieves.
The paper shows the evolution of microbiological indicators of faecal contamination (Escherichia coli and fecal enterococci) in the city’s coastline, before and after operation of the outfall (1995-2019). It also includes the beach management mitigation programme (pretreatment effluent chlorination based on the use of “Virtual Beach” empirical model) to preserve recreational marine water quality while the submarine outfall was being constructed (2008-2013).
The results showed the immediate effect of the submarine outfall in maintaining the water quality of Mar del Plata beaches, without the need for chlorination until today. The submarine outfall achieved the objective of protecting the health of the population and the tourism industry. At present Submarine outfall and WWTP allows work in beaches’ certification promoting the economic development of the city.
In addition, Escherichia coli and enterococci bacterial decay measurements in the far field, and precision salinity measurements are presented. Preliminary information from the T90 study is provided for better understanding and adjustment of variables that explain the results found at beaches, as well as to make a contribution for future outfall modeling at similar latitudes.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3850/38WC092019-1688

Year: 2019