Determinación del índice de calidad de agua en la microcuenca del “Río Cinto” mediante los parámetros del ICA en el sector de Lloa, cantón Quito, 2023

Abstract

This research project is focused on the Analysis of the Water Quality Index of the Cinto River micro-watershed located in the Lloa parish, using physicochemical and microbiological parameters. For this purpose, a field trip was conducted where possible contaminated areas near the river were identified. Six sampling points were analyzed based on land use, including paramo, livestock, urban area, mining, fish farming, and the area where the wastewater treatment plant of the Lloa parish discharges water. Eighteen water samples were collected, three from each zone. In situ samples were taken to obtain values of dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, and total dissolved solids. In the laboratory, parameters such as BOD5, nitrates, phosphates, turbidity, and fecal coliforms were analyzed. Morphometric characteristics of the micro-watershed were also obtained, and the river flow was measured. To obtain the result of the Water Quality Index Analysis, interpolation was performed with the data obtained for each parameter. The values indicated that the water quality of the Cinto River is poor, and it was verified that the most contaminated zone is the urban area. Based on the analysis, the results show that the BOD5 exceeded the maximum permissible limits in all six study zones with an average value of 447.835 mg/l, while fecal coliforms reached a value of 600 MPN/100 ml at the wastewater treatment plant.