EVALUATION OF WATER QUALITY FOR INDUSTRIAL USE AND SOCIAL CONSUMPTION IN THE SUGAR INDUSTRY

Abstract

Introduction:
Water supply for industrial use and social consumption decreases due to droughts, overexploitation of groundwater and pollution from agricultural and industrial chemicals.
Objective:
To evaluate the quality of water for industrial use and social consumption from the supply source belonging to the Central Refinería Ecuador (Sugar Refinery Ecuador).
Materials and Methods:
The quality of water for industrial use and social consumption was evaluated through the application of testing techniques and methods, in the determination of physical, chemical and microbiological parameters.
Results and Discussion:
The water quality parameters for industrial use and social consumption evaluated were odor, taste and color of odorless, tasteless and colorless respectively. Total dissolved solids were 553 mg L^-1, pH 7,33 pH units, calcium 75 mg L^-1, magnesium 45 mg L^-1, chloride 45 mg L^-1, sulfate of 21 mg L^-1, nitrite of 0,03 mg L^-1, nitrates of 20,2 mg L^-1, total coliforms of 1 222 most probable number per 100 mL and thermotolerant coliforms of 584 most probable number probable per 100 mL.
Conclusions:
These water quality values are suitable for industrial use, while for social consumption they are not suitable due to microbiological contamination and non-compliance with health protection requirements. Although the physical and chemical values analyzed in water for social consumption are within maximum limits.