Evaluation of the physical, chemical and microbiological parameters of the drinking water at the city of Caraz during the period August 2017-January 2018 [Evaluación de los parámetros físicos, químicos y microbiológicos del agua potable de la ciudad de Caraz durante el período agosto 2017-enero 2018]

Abstract

The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the main physicochemical and microbiological parameters of drinking water in the city of Caraz, located in the province of Huaylas, department of Ancash, during the period between August 2017 and January 2018. For this purpose, samples were taken at four points in the city, from the supply reservoir to the home distribution network. Twenty-three physical, chemical and microbiological parameters were analyzed: color, conductivity, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, temperature, turbidity, residual chlorine, chlorides, total hardness, fluorides, nitrates, dissolved oxygen, pH, sulfates, arsenic, cadmium, copper, iron, manganese, mercury, lead, total coliforms and fecal coliforms. In determining the indicated parameters, standardized chemical analysis methods were used for each of them. Some analyzes were carried out in the same place (in situ) and others in the chemistry laboratory as well as in the environmental quality laboratory of UNASAM. The results obtained were contrasted with the maximum permissible limits (MPL) of the Regulation of Water Quality for Human Consumption (MINSA, 2010). Of the 23 parameters evaluated, 20 were below the MPL (maximum permissible limit), with the exception of mercury and total and fecal coliforms, whose certainty given by the method used did not allow us to affirm that the values ​​obtained are within the MPL.