PHYSICO-CHEMICAL QUALITY AND ANALYSIS OF CHLORINATION FOR WATER SUPPLY IN ESPITA, YUCATAN

Background. It is undeniable the presence of many other contaminants in the food supply sources, in addition to the pathogens. Objective. The objective of this study was to analyze biogeochemical parameters to evaluate the quality of the water from the applied treatment and at the same time determine the ideal doses of chlorine for the disinfection of the supply waters in Espita, Yucatán. Methodology. The water quality was determined at sample points (i.e. houses in the areas adjacent to supply wells) during the months of August, October, November and December 2019. The biogeochemical parameters sampled were determined based on standardized methods for analysis of drinking water. Results. The free residual chlorine determined in the house-room samples presented lower elevations than necessary (0.10 to 0.25 mg / L) for a residual effect that mitigates the presence of pathogens. According to the comparative analysis, the means of the concentrations of free residual chlorine do not present statistical differences for the four supply wells, which led to a proposed sodium hypochlorite dose of 4.10 and 8.60 mg / L for 0.10 and 0.25 ppm respectively of free residual chlorine. The analysis of the results of the concentrations of ammonia nitrogen (N-NH3) showed the existence of recent contamination in the third and fourth samples; for nitrate nitrogen (N-NO3), specifically elevated concentrations were also found in the first and second sampling. Implications. This analysis is useful for local decision-makers as data-driven or proposed decisions can improve the provision of the water supply service. Conclusions. The results suggest contamination of the water by external agents, for example, from agricultural products such as fertilizers and wastewater from sumps connected to wells. No free chlorine concentrations were found that promote the residual effect, it is necessary to implement continuous verification.