Control de calidad del agua del rio Salinas, parroquia Santa Fe, cantón Guaranda para uso agrícola

Abstract

The Salinas River, a vital resource in the parish of Santa Fe, canton of Guaranda, province of Bolívar, is utilized for agricultural purposes. However, the quality of this water has not been thoroughly assessed, raising concerns about its suitability for such activities. To address this, a comprehensive study was conducted, focusing specifically on the water quality of the Salinas River for agricultural use. The methodology involved collecting water samples at three strategic points along the river's course: directly from the river (point 1), from the irrigation canal (point 2), and from the reservoir (point 3). These samples were gathered over three months (May, June, and July) at different times (morning and afternoon), and 14 physical and chemical parameters were analyzed using standardized laboratory techniques. The results provided a comprehensive understanding of the water quality, underscoring the importance of this research for the sustainable use of the Salinas River. Despite the lack of previous quality control analysis, this study's findings are significant. Most of the parameters assessed, including pH levels, electrical conductivity, chlorides, sodium, boron, magnesium, sulfates, and nitrates, were within the ranges permitted by TULSMA Regulation 15 for agricultural water. The total dissolved solids and metals, such as cadmium and lead, were also below the permissible limits, indicating their absence in the water. These results confirm that the use of Salinas River water for irrigation remains unaffected. This study underscores the suitability of Salinas River water for agricultural activities, as per the analyzed environmental regulations. However, it is prudent to establish a continuous monitoring program to detect potential future changes.