Evaluation of Reverse Osmosis Desalination to Mitigate Water Scarcity in Chancay, Peru: A Comprehensive Evaluation (#1443)

Authors

Segura Rodriguez, Wiliam Salvador

Candela Torres, Christian Renato

Santuyo Huallpara, Aldo Bill

Abstract

Water demand on the central coast of Peru has intensified due to agricultural expansion and the development of the Chancay port megaproject. Currently, the district faces a water deficit of 8,690 m³/day, exacerbated by a sanitation infrastructure that only covers 70.73% of the city. This study evaluated the technical, economic, and social feasibility of implementing a water reverse osmosis (WRO) desalination plant as a sustainable solution to projected water scarcity scenarios through 2044. The methodology employed a mixed approach: demand scenarios were modeled considering the impact of climate change and population growth driven by the port; the technical design was optimized using response surfaces to minimize energy consumption; and financial and social viability was analyzed. The results indicate that, under a severe scenario, the deficit could reach 34,352 m³/day. To mitigate this, a modular plant with a capacity of 35,000 m³/day was designed, which, through the use of energy recovery devices (ERD), achieves a specific consumption of 0.83 kWh/m³. The financial analysis projected a net present value (NPV) of $ 13,366,560 USD and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 19.41%, while 73.95% of the population expressed acceptance of the project. It is concluded that desalination is a viable alternative to guarantee water security in Chancay, mitigating the risks of social and environmental conflicts through proper brine management.