Improvements to the Dr. Juan A. Rivero Zoo

Abstract

Logical Engineering, LLC was assigned by the Puerto Rico Department of Sports and Recreation to improve the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and to provide a recirculation system at the hippopotamus tank of the Dr. Juan A. Rivero Zoo in Mayagüez. Upon several site visits, the team encountered other problems at the facility and improvement alternatives were proposed. These include soil erosion control measures, the implementation of aeration systems at the existing lagoons, and an integrated solid waste management plan. The alternatives were evaluated considering environmental and economical feasibility aspects. The selected alternatives include: modification of the WWTP using a Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) system, installation of vermifilters for the hippopotamus tank wastewater recirculation system, a community solid waste deposit center, and segregation/processing of organic and inorganic materials.