Analysis of the effect of using sink grinders on the quality of wastewater

Abstract

In developed countries, technologies have been implemented to reduce the quantity of organic waste that go the final disposal centers of solid waste, the sink grinder it’s one of the most used technologies for this purpose. This device it installs in the kitchen sink to reduce solid waste by mixing this waste with residual water. In the Central American region, it´s use is not common, so there is no information related to its use and how this can affect the characteristics of wastewater in the concentrations of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and suspended solids (SS). This study sought to determine the behavior of these parameters when sink grinders are used and if this use affects the biodegradability of wastewater. The study was carried out in a kitchen of a restaurant located on the campus of the University of San Carlos de Guatemala, determining that there is a significant increase (p<0.05) in the concentrations of BOD₅, COD and SS with 26%, 29 % and 35% respectively. In addition, it was identified that there is no significant difference (p>0.05) in the biodegradability of wastewater, which concludes that the use of sink grinders in the Central American region would suggest an increase in the concentrations of BOD, COD and SS unchanged in the biodegradability, but is important the behavior of sludge in wastewater treatment plants must be evaluated in the future.