Evaluación comparativa de la calidad del agua de consumo humano en la comunidad de Balsa en Medio

It was evaluated the relationship between the quality of water for human consumption extracted from wells in the community of Balsa en Medio and the population health, using as reference the limits established in the TULSMA, contrasting the hypothesis that it does not comply with these limits. It was sampled 8 artesian wells whose waters were subjected to laboratory analysis, based on the techniques described in the Standard Methods for Water and Wastewater Analysis, measuring 14 quality indicator parameters, whose average values, in mg/l, were 6,58 for pH; 200 for Hardness; 459 for Total Dissolved Solids; 2,20 for Nitrate; 4,66 for Dissolved Oxygen; 10 for BOD5 at 20°C; 21,50 for Salinity; 0,75 for Fluoride; 0,56 for Iron, 0,41 for Copper; less than 0,01 for the Cadmium; 0,02 for lead; 102 for Total Coliforms and, 17 for the Fecal Coliforms, these last two measured as NMP/100 ml. The individual values for each well were approximately corresponding to the averages and, the relatively low results of the Variation Coefficient indicated an appreciable homogeneity in terms of the water quality of the different sources under study. Observation in situ and interview technique were also applied to the well owners (citizen perception), determining that the main negativities consist in the possibilities of contamination by the proximity of latrines or other stool handling devices and urine, as well as by the prowling of domestic animals and others. They consider that there are possibilities of contamination by inclusion of rainwater drag, as well as deficiencies in the quantity supplied, sometimes unsatisfactory appearance and lack of quality check. Some users prefer the purchase of bottled water. The deficit of Dissolved Oxygen, the Biochemical Oxygen Demand and the Total Coliforms, are significantly above the normed maximum limits. No health problems related to the quality of water for human consumption were detected.

• Main Author: Rendón Chavarría, María Monserrate (author)
• Format: bachelorThesis
• Language: spa
• Published: 2019
• Subjects: Calidad del agua; Contaminación del agua; Indicadores de calidad; Pozo artesiano
• Online Access: http://repositorio.espam.edu.ec/handle/42000/1203