Calidad hidrogeológica y seguridad para el consumo humano de las aguas subterráneas en chimborazo

Abstract

Ground-water quality was assessed across Chimborazo Province (Ecuador) using 36 samples
from springs, tanks, wells, households and public taps. Every source failed at least one
WHO/ARCA drinking-water limit. All source types contained fecal coliforms (mean 15.8
MPN/100 mL; max 40 MPN/100 mL) and exceeded 0.01 mg L-¹ for arsenic (0.013–0.016
mg L-¹) and lead (0.035–0.089 mg L-¹). Turbidity reached 45 NTU (CV 327 %) in springs.
ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis and Pearson correlation detected no significant differences among
source types, indicating interconnected volcanic-fractured aquifers and region-wide
contamination. Iron–lead correlation (r = 0.55) suggests leaching from pyroclastic deposits;
negative coliform–lead correlation (r = –0.61) reflects contrasting transport pathways.
The statistical “non-difference” is a health warning: all ground water requires treatment
before human use and recharge areas need urgent protection.