Stream water quality is controlled by the interaction of natural and anthropogenic factors over a range of temporal and spatial scales. Among these anthropogenic factors, land cover changes at catchment scale can affect stream water quality. This work aims to evaluate the influence of land use and seasonality on stream water quality in a representative tropical headwater catchment named as Córrego Água Limpa (Sao Paulo, Brasil), which is highly influenced by intensive agricultural activities and urban areas. Two systematic sampling approach campaigns were implemented with six sampling points along the stream of the headwater catchment to evaluate water quality during the rainy and dry seasons. Three replicates were collected at each sampling point in 2011. Electrical conductivity, nitrates, nitrites, sodium superoxide, Chemical Oxygen Demand (DQO), colour, turbidity, suspended solids, soluble solids and total solids were measured. Water quality parameters differed among sampling points, being lower at the headwater sampling point (0m above sea level), and then progressively higher until the last downstream sampling point (2500m above sea level). For the dry season, the mean discharge was 39.5ls⁻¹ (from April to September) whereas 113.0ls⁻¹ were averaged during the rainy season (from October to March). In addition, significant temporal and spatial differences were observed (P<0.05) for the fourteen parameters during the rainy and dry period. The study enhance significant relationships among land use and water quality and its temporal effect, showing seasonal differences between the land use and water quality connection, highlighting the importance of multiple spatial and temporal scales for understanding the impacts of human activities on catchment ecosystem services.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the inorganic parameters in the water of the Texcoco river. Sampling took place at 10 sites along the watershed (between 2500 and 2240 m above sea level) during the four seasons of the year for three years, with repetitions. The diagnostic parameters and methods used were, for potassium, sodium, magnesium, and calcium, the internal method MI-AM-011 (atomic absorption); phosphates with MI-FQUAR-012, chlorides NMX-AA-073-1981, electrical conductivity and nitrogen of nitrates NOM-AA-93-1984 and NOM-AA-79-1986, pH NMX-AA-08-1980. The three-year average concentrations of calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, chlorine, nitrates, and electrical conductivity were low. However, the concentrations of sodium and electrical conductivity were close to medium quality. The concentrations of sodium during Years 2 and 3 were classified as medium. The concentration of phosphates was high. Electrical conductivity during Years 1 and 3 were classified as medium. The concentrations of sodium and electrical conductivity in Seasons 1 and 4 grade a medium quality. The concentration of phosphates during the four seasons and three years were classified as high. Variability of cations and anions at different times of the year was an almost generalized behavior and statistically significant.

The quality of drinking water is a crucial aspect for the health and well-being of any community, especially in the rural peripheral areas of Quevedo canton, Ecuador, where the drinking water supply infrastructure is deficient and exposure to contaminants is high. In our study we aim to conduct a comprehensive analysis of drinking water quality. Five representative localities in Quevedo canton were selected for the evaluation of microbial load and analysis of total coliforms, soil texture, soil pH, and the content of nitrates, nitrites, copper, and chromium in the water. Our results showed significant variations in water and soil quality among the localities. The microbial load and total coliform counts were highest in SCR 3, indicating a possible local contamination source. The soil texture varied, with a predominance of sandy texture in SCR 2 and SCR 3, which af fects water retention and nutrient availability.Soil pH values ranged from 6.0 to 7.0, with SCR 3 presenting the lowest pH. Nitrate concentration was highest in SCR 2 (20 mg L-1), while nitrites were highest in ESP 2 (0.12 mg L-1). Copper levels varied, being highest in AGR (18 mg L-1), lastly, hexavalent chromium levels were highest in SCR 2 (0.075 mg L-1). These variations in water and soil quality have significant implications for public health and agricultural productivity. Sources of contamination were identified in our study, hence, we propose mitigation measures to improve water quality, promote public health, and support sustainable agricultural development in the rural communities of Quevedo. | La calidad del agua potable es un aspecto crucial para la salud y el bienestar de cualquier comunidad, especialmente en las zonas rurales periféricas del cantón Quevedo, Ecuador, donde la infraestructura de abastecimiento de agua potable es deficiente y la exposición a contaminantes es alta. Este estudio tiene como objetivo realizar un análisis integral de la calidad del agua potable. Para ello, se seleccionaron cinco localidades representativas del cantón Quevedo para la evaluación de la carga microbiana y el análisis de coliformes totales, textura del suelo, pH del suelo, y contenido de nitratos, nitritos, cobre y cromo en el agua. Los resultados mostraron variaciones significativas en la calidad del agua y del suelo entre las localidades. La carga microbiana y el conteo de coliformes totales fueron más altos en SCR 3, indicando una posible fuente de contaminación local. La textura del suelo varió, con predominancia arenosa en SCR 2 y SCR 3, lo cual afecta la retención de agua y la disponibilidad de nutrientes. Los valores de pH del suelo oscilaron entre 6.0 y 7.0, con SCR 3 presentando el pH más bajo. La concentración de nitratos fue más alta en SCR 2 (20 mg L-1), mientras que los nitritos fueron más elevados en ESP 2 (0.12 mg L-1). Los niveles de cobre variaron, siendo más altos en AGR (18 mg L-1), y los niveles de cromo hexavalente fueron más altos en SCR 2 (0.075 mg L-1). Estas variaciones en la calidad del agua y del suelo tienen implicaciones significativas para la salud pública y la productividad agrícola. Se identificaron fuentes de contaminación y se propusieron medidas de mitigación para mejorar la calidad del agua, promover la salud pública y apoyar el desarrollo agrícola sostenible en las comunidades rurales de Quevedo.

En la presente comunicación se exponen las razones que han llevado a la Consejería de Agricultura y Medio Ambiente a la implantación de una Red de Control de la Calidad del Agua de Riego (RECAREX) en los regadíos de iniciativa estatal existentes en Extremadura. Se da cuenta de las fases en las que se ha llevado a cabo la implantación de la Red y del método de trabajo que se aplica, así como de los resultados obtenidos en la campaña piloto del año 1.998 realizada en las Vegas Bajas (zonas regables de Montijo y Lobón). Se concluye con el análisis de los resultados, y su relación con posibles fenómenos de contaminación por nitratos y de salinización secundaria en dichas zonas regables.