Evaluación de la calidad sanitaria del agua y su relación con la eficiencia hidráulica (presión de operación) en la red de distribución del sistema rural de agua potable de Yatchil Central, cantón Píllaro, provincia de Tungurahua

Abstract

This study evaluated the sanitary quality of water and its relationship with the hydraulic efficiency of the drinking water system of Yatchil Central, Píllaro canton. For this purpose, the system was characterized using documentary information, field inspections, plans provided by the Municipal GAD, complementary surveying, and hydraulic-sanitary modeling in Software. The analyzed system included the transmission line from El Porvenir, the pumping line to the Yatchil Yanahurco tank, and six distribution networks. The research integrated steady-state and extended period hydraulic simulations, in situ measurements, laboratory analyses, tank flow measurement, and adjustment of the sanitary model. The population contrast identified 125 registered users, equivalent to an approximate population of 500 inhabitants, lower than the initial design population of 864 inhabitants and the future population of 1106 inhabitants. The hydraulic results showed differences between networks. Network 1 presented velocities of up to 1.90 m/s, while Networks 5 and 6 recorded maximum velocities close to 0.36 m/s and 0.33 m/s. The highest relative water age occurred in Network 2, with 23 h at node J-20. Regarding sanitary quality, free chlorine residual ranged from 0.00 to 0.34 mg/L in the network, while 0.80 mg/L was recorded in the tank. pH, total dissolved solids, and conductivity remained stable, and the laboratory samples reported absence of coliforms. It was concluded that the critical condition was the loss of free chlorine residual in sectors with low renewal, higher permanence, extreme location, or unfavorable operating conditions.