Indices de calidad del agua de fuentes superficiales y aspectos toxicológicos, evaluación del Río Burgay

Abstract

The article presents an analysis of the water quality of the river Burgay, located in the province of Cañar, using the index of the Mexican Institute of Water Technology which is based on 18 conventional physical, chemical and microbiological parameters. Special emphasis has been given to the concentration of agricultural pesticides since the river water serves as supply for human settlements. The presence of pesticides affects the water quality and might restrict its use for human consumption. The study reveals that the conventional indexes depict a short-term sanitary risk of the river water due to the presence of pathogen organisms. The existence of pesticides however, when water is not treated, represents a long-term chemical risk because pesticides, even at non-detectable or low concentration level tend to accumulate in the body causing ultimately toxic effects on human’s health. The short-term sanitary risk is normally monitored by the water supply agency or institution appointed by this agency, via systematic, periodic and documented assays. Generally, neither the agency nor the appointed institution possesses the skills to measure the presence of pesticides, a task normally executed by another institution. The authors recommend that both monitoring institutions should coordinate their measurements, as a mechanism to derive a complete picture of the water quality as to minimize the risk and ensure the health of the consumers.