Evaluación de la contaminación por aluminio del agua para consumo humano, región central de Colombia

Abstract

Introduction: aluminum is incorporated into water naturally and/or anthropically, health risk levels above 0,2 mg /l according to Colombian regulations. It can arise as an emerging contaminant when aluminum salt coagulants are used improperly in the clarification of drinking water.

Objective: to evaluate air pollution for human consumption in the central region of Colombia, determine its potential origin and compliance with current regulations.

Methodology: exploratory research, analysis of the presence of aluminum in raw water and treated during the period 2008-2018, by means of samples and laboratory tests, as well as the hydraulic evaluation and the operation of water treatment plants, in municipalities of Los departments of Tolima and Cundinamarca, central region of Colombia.

Results: in more than 30% of the municipalities evaluated, the presence of aluminum in the water for human consumption was evidenced, above the maximum allowed by the current regulations. In several cases it was due to deficiencies in the treatment process where aluminum salts are used for coagulation, without adequate dosage as occurred in the municipality of Melgar, or due to high concentrations present in the water supply sources, such as the case of Magdalena river in the central region of Colombia.

Conclusions: aluminum in water for human consumption is due to its presence in water sources and the product of hydraulic and operational deficiencies in the clarification process of treatment plants where aluminum sulfate is used as a coagulant, due to inadequate application of optimal doses, poor intensity of agitation and speed gradients in fast mixing and flocculation, flocculation and sedimentation times outside the optimal range.