Evaluación de la calidad del agua para consumo humano distribuida en el casco urbano de Colomba Costa Cuca, Quetzaltenango.

Abstract The objective of this research was to evaluate the quality of water for human consumption distributed in the urban area of the municipality of Colomba Costa Cuca, Quetzaltenango. Currently, the drinking water service has a system made up of five distribution tanks, which supply the entire population, obtaining 100% coverage, benefiting 9,420 people, equivalent to 2,000 homes. The source of water supply are springs located in the northern part of the territory. However, in recent years these have been affected by contamination of solid waste, wastewater dumping and deforestation, which have deteriorated its quality. Based on the above, eight water samples were analyzed that are distributed in; four microbiological in the distribution tanks; four physical-chemical and microbiological, in selected homes. After its analysis, it is determined that the water at the time of sampling complies with the COGUANOR 29001 Standard: Water for human consumption, being able to indicate that the water at that time did not pose any risk to the health of the inhabitants. The possible causes of contamination, which can affect the short, medium and long term are: the lack of treatment and maintenance of the distribution tanks; wastewater discharges in the areas near the “Rosario” and “Ronrones” water sources from the municipality of San Martin, Sacatepéquez; deforestation in water recharge areas and agricultural and livestock activities. The drinking water service was economically valued, using the Contingent Method. Currently, a fee of Q 3.95 per month is charged, and based on the surveys carried out among the population of the urban area, it is determined that users are willing to pay a maximum of Q 10.00 per month.