The origin and quality of water for human consumption: the health of the population residing in the Matanza-Riachuelo river basin area in Greater Buenos Aires

https://doi.org/10.18294/sc.2013.200

Published 4 April 2013 Open Access


Licenciada en Economía. Doctora en Economía con especialización en Estadística y Econometría. Investigadora CONICET, Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Cultura y Sociedad (CIECS-CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina , Ingeniero Hidráulico. Director, Unidad de Investigación Desarrollo y Docencia-Gestión Ambiental (UIDD-GA). Profesor Adjunto Ordinario, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina , Ingeniero Hidráulico. Consultor Naciones Unidas. Asesor, Unidad de Investigación Desarrollo y Docencia-Gestión Ambiental (UIDD-GA), Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina. , Doctora en Ciencias Químicas. Profesora de la Cátedra de Toxicología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Investigadora Principal CONICET, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos (CIDCA-CONICET), Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina



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Keywords:

Environment, Water Quality, Waterborne Diseases, Argentina

Abstract


The aim of this study is to analyze the origin and quality of water used for consumption in a sample of households in Matanza-Riachuelo river basin area in Greater Buenos Aires, Argentina. The results of drinking water by source indicated that 9% of water samples from the public water system, 45% of bottled water samples and 80% of well water samples were not safe for drinking due to excess content of coliforms, Escherichia coli or nitrates. Individuals living in households where well water is the main source of drinking water have a 55% higher chance of suffering a water-borne disease; in the cases of diarrheas, the probability is 87% higher and in the case of dermatitis, 160% higher. The water for human consumption in this region should be provided by centralized sources that assure control over the quality of the water.