Analysis of Groundwater Quality in Rural Homes in Southeastern Mexico: Comparison of Treatment Methods

Groundwater wells are used as the main water resource in rural communities worldwide. Such water is employed for agricultural and domestic uses; however, not all users tend to determine the physicochemical properties before consumption. This work monitored water quality in a rural town in southeastern Mexico to evaluate the effectiveness of three treatment methods [filtration, HClO, and Ca(OH)₂] on controlling total solids, dissolved solids, pH, electroconductivity, total coliforms, and enterobacteria. A sample of 159 from 530 houses was randomly selected, with the well’s depth between 9.5 and 13 m. The study site was divided into six sections, and the water samples were collected from storage in two points: water column and sediment. It was found that the solids content and bacterial populations were notably high. Fluctuating pH values and varying electrical conductivity were observed, with some exceeding regulatory thresholds. The high bacterial populations observed in the water storage tanks were attributed not only to chlorine resistance but also to potential fecal contamination from nearby wells. Various water sanitation treatments were explored, with slow filtration and microfiltration showing promise in pathogen removal. However, adding lime while reducing bacterial loads adversely affected pH levels and biological processes. Strong changes in electrical conductivity resulted from lime addition, highlighting potential environmental impacts.