Evaluación de la calidad física, química y microbiológica del agua de consumo humano de la parroquia de San Luís, cantón Riobamba, provincia de Chimborazo. Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo. Riobamba.

Abstract

The objective of this research is to evaluate the physical, chemical and microbiological quality of human consumption water in the Parish called San Luis which belongs to the city of Riobamba in the Chimborazo Province. The aim is to be able to classify it as safe water for human consumption. During the period May – June 2015 three sampling tests were established. Each had seven spots from which the samples were taken, and this process was repeated twice. The samples were gotten from two water sheds, a storage tank, and four residences in town. The procedures followed the parameters described by NTE INEN (Spanish acronyms for Ecuadorian Technical Norms – Ecuadorian Standardization Institute) regulations for sampling, water quality control, and sample preservation. The physical, chemical and microbiological (color, turbidity, nitrates, nitrites, fluorides, and fecal coliform) features were determined. These are required by the NTE INEN regulation 1108:2014 “Potable Water requirements”. This study was applied to 42 samples and studied under the Standard Methods for examination of water and wastewater, Hach Method, and the Membrane Filtration Method. It was demonstrated that the drinking water in San Luis meets the maximum limits which are permitted by the established regulations concerning the physical and chemical quality; however, the microbiological parameters do not meet the standards, 85,71% of the samples has fecal coliform. The contamination present in water shed B does not make it proper for human ingestion. The water flows to the storage tank which provides the water to people in town. It is concluded that this water is not apt for human consumption. It is recommended to treat the water from water shed B which is the primary source of contamination, as well as, to improve the infrastructure and maintenance of the water sheds, storage tanks and the whole distribution system of drinking water.