Purranque Officials Tour Upgraded Wastewater Treatment Plant
Purranque Mayor Alicia Villar, along with councilors Gustavo Barría, Bastián Loaiza, and Ariel Nahuelpán, and municipal Works Director Osvaldo Valderrama, recently toured the local wastewater treatment plant serving both the city of Purranque and the Alto Sector. The visit focused on understanding the plant’s sanitation processes and the recent investments made to improve its infrastructure.
The tour highlighted upgrades designed to ensure sustainable and efficient operation, as well as preparations for future growth within the municipality. Key improvements include the installation of two new circular clarifiers and a casting chamber, replacing the previous UV light disinfection system with a new calcium hypochlorite injection system.
Mayor Villar emphasized the importance of public awareness regarding appropriate disposal practices. “Plant operators are finding a significant amount of inappropriate waste, including diapers and non-biodegradable cleaning materials, which negatively impacts the treatment process,” she stated. “It’s crucial the community understands what should and shouldn’t be flushed.”
Jaime Segovia, Deputy Manager of the Central Suralis territory, confirmed the plant currently handles all wastewater from Purranque and the Alto Sector, operating in full compliance with current regulations. He affirmed the internal improvements have maintained the facility in optimal condition.
following the tour, officials agreed to organize educational visits for local students to learn about the wastewater sanitation process. A formal inauguration of the new infrastructure is also planned. The project, representing Suralis’ second-largest investment in the last five-year period, exceeded 3.7 billion pesos.
