A comparative study of water quality using two quality indices and a risk index in a drinking water distribution network

ABSTRACT This study compares the Canadian Council Water Quality Index (CCME WQI) and the Arithmetic Water Quality Index (WAWQI) methodologies for determining the quality of water in the city of Azogues (Ecuador). Additionally, a drinking water quality risk index (IRCA) was determined to evaluate the degree of risk of disease occurrence related to water consumption. The data generated came from the analyses of twelve physicochemical parameters (pH, turbidity, colour, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, total hardness, alkalinity, nitrates, phosphates, sulfates, chlorides, residual chlorine) from 172 samples of water over six months. The calculated average value of CCME WQI (97.59 ± 1.08) indicates that 100% of the drinking system was of ‘excellent’ quality. The WAWQI average value was calculated to be 26.36 ± 1.13 indicating that 16.67% of the distribution system was of ‘excellent’ quality and 83.33% of the distribution water was of ‘good’ quality. The IRCA calculated in all the distribution zones is between 0 and 5% and therefore, the distributed water is considered suitable for human consumption and is rated at the no-risk level. Furthermore, WAWQI is influenced by parameters with low maximum allowed concentration (for example, turbidity value 1 NTU in the Ecuadorian standard was used instead of 5 NTU recommended by the WHO); conversely, CCME-WQI is influenced by parameters with a high maximum allowed concentration (no parameter exceeded the norm in this study). The IRCA is a support instrument to guarantee that the water supplied by the provider companies complies with the characteristics established for drinking water. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT