Agua limpia y saneamiento

ESPOL participated in a project coordinated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to improve the identification of sources of nitrate pollution and emerging contaminants in surface and groundwater. The Ecuadorian study was conducted primarily in Chanduy, Santa Elena, where six sampling campaigns were carried out between 2022 and 2025, incorporating physicochemical, hydrochemical, and isotopic analyses. The combination of nitrate isotopes and emerging contaminants provided information to distinguish between possible sources of pollution associated with agricultural and domestic activities, as well as other land uses.

FICT-ESPOL participated in the second edition of the international program “Application of New Methodologies and Technologies for Water Supply in Ibero-America and the Caribbean,” with the presentation “Utilization of Mine Water for Industrial Use and Water Supply,” delivered by Paúl Carrión, Ph.D., and Silvia Loaiza, Ph.D. The training session brought together nearly 80 participants from Latin America and the Caribbean and provided an opportunity to share strategies, technologies, and case studies developed in Ecuador for the treatment and sustainable use of mine water. This participation strengthened the international exchange of knowledge on water security, environmental management, and the use of water resources in mining contexts.

FICT-ESPOL organized a technical conference on trenchless technologies for the rehabilitation of water and wastewater networks, aimed at students and professionals. During the event, solutions such as CIPP, spiral winding, flexible sleeves, pipe bursting, and horizontal directional drilling were presented, all designed to reduce project durations, urban impacts, and rehabilitation costs. The case of the Parson Sur sanitary sewer in Guayaquil was also discussed to analyze the challenges of the existing sanitary infrastructure and potential intervention options. The event strengthened the technical training of the civil engineering community through exchanges with specialists from industry and the public sector.

Faculty members from FICT-ESPOL reviewed the initial results of the surveys conducted in the municipality of Ayangue, identifying findings that will guide the next stages of analysis and the development of technical proposals. The project is being carried out through a partnership between ESPOL, the municipality of Ayangue, APESPOL, and retired ESPOL faculty members, bringing together academic knowledge, professional experience, and local expertise. This collaboration aims to generate information that will help strengthen the sustainability and resilience of the region and serve as a foundation for future actions that benefit the community.

FICT-ESPOL conducted a technical visit to the Bira Mine and its processing plant in Zaruma to learn about operational practices related to water management, mine water treatment, and tailings management. During the visit, the group observed processes such as the neutralization of acidic water, metal precipitation, solid sedimentation, and industrial water recirculation. Of particular note was the 100% reuse of process water in the grinding and flotation stages. The experience provided students and professionals with firsthand exposure to technologies applied in a real mining operation and generated insights for training and applied research in mining environmental management.

A researcher and professor at FICT presented a study at LACCEI 2026 on water management based on coastal fog (KamanchaKa), linked to sustainability and ecohydrology initiatives, thereby strengthening applied research and the development of solutions for responsible water management and community resilience.

FICT-ESPOL is promoting the nomination of the Gustavo Galindo campus as a UNESCO Ecohydrology Demonstration Site (SDE) through the proposal “ESPOL’s Ecohydrological System: Lakes and Albarradas in a Protective Forest Environment.” The initiative aims to highlight the value of these systems and the research, teaching, community engagement, environmental monitoring, and water management activities carried out on campus. To strengthen the nomination, professors, researchers, and various ESPOL units are working collaboratively to refine the proposal.

A study by ESPOL published in a Q1 scientific journal developed a model to identify areas with high groundwater potential in Manabí, providing information to guide the exploration, monitoring, and conservation of this resource in the face of drought challenges.

At the LACCEI international conference, FICT presented research on humanitarian engineering, engineering education, and sustainable water management, highlighting the collaborative work between academia and vulnerable communities and strengthening the international reach of its research.

FICT-ESPOL and Rey Juan Carlos University strengthened their academic cooperation through a technical meeting held from May 26 to 28, 2026. The agenda included a visit to the “Water Sowing, Harvesting, and Reuse for Sustainability (Phase II)” project in Manglaralto, where equipment valued at approximately 10,000 euros was donated. In addition, both institutions reviewed research topics and scientific articles to be developed jointly. Looking ahead, they plan to launch a research project and produce two scientific publications in international collaboration over the next 18 months.