It is common practice in both urban and rural areas in Ecuador to cope with the lack of provision of formal basic services by substituting informal measures, often independent of government. Regarding wastewater management, particularly sanitation and sewage healthcare systems in Quito, a primary measure has been to implement septic tanks, which have predominantly not been connected to municipal systems. These extensive systems are slowly being replaced and they need to closed in an appropriate manner to avoid adversely affecting surrounding populations and environments.

In this context, the Tomorrow`s cities project has prepared a STEP BY STEP GUIDE FOR TECHNICAL CLOSURE OF A SEPTIC WELL, with accompanying VIDEO in order to provide information both to the community as well as to the institutions on the proper shutdown of such systems. This guide also includes a practical example regarding septic tank closure in the San Luis de Miravalle neighbourhood, located to the southeast of the city, La Ferroviaria parish, where the tanks are currently being incorporated into the municipal sewerage system.  Through this guide we seek to strengthen local and institutional capacities toreduce the risk of disasters linked to improper wastewater management.