Hydrogeochemical Evaluation of Water Quality Suitable for Human Consumption and Comparative Interpretation for Water Quality Index Studies

To assess the general conditions of water quality for human consumption, specific parameters are estimated to determine its viability in terms of multiple variables, which together measure water quality through the calculation of a single water quality index. In general, many variables related to mineral and bacteriological contents of water are used to calculate these indices. This study aims to assess the feasibility and importance of a quality index for drinking water commonly used in Latin America compared to other international approaches. For this purpose, the evaluation of this index is done using two different methodologies in the same study area. Fourteen water quality parameters have been selected to calculate the index and determine the consumption conditions of 87 samples collected throughout the territory. Although it is true that there are many ways to evaluate the quality of water for human consumption, it is also necessary to assess the suitability of each methodology used for uniformity of the criteria. The results confirm that a locally used index overestimates the number of water samples evaluated as of good quality for consumption while underestimating the number of samples evaluated as not suitable for consumption. These results are beneficial for water quality management and could be used in the evaluation of the methodologies used to calculate the water quality index. In addition, it is suggested that the weights of the environmental parameters should be reconsidered in water quality assessments when the two methods considered are used.