Considerations for the calculation of the Water Quality Risk Index according to current sanitary and epidemiological trends

The prevalence of occasional epidemics associated with waterborne diseases, the presence of chemical contaminants (organic, inorganic, and heavy metals) in bodies that supply water for human consumption due to different anthropogenic activities of an industrial, agricultural, livestock, and care type. human. These contaminants have accumulated until they can be detected by current procedures and equipment, as well as to reach concentrations that can generate diseases. In this sense, the Water Quality Risk Index (IRCA) established by Resolution 2115 of 2007 proposes admissible parameters for drinking water of a microbiological, physical, and chemical nature, parameters that need to be reviewed to update the water monitoring instrument. drinking water supplied to the population. The different water quality indices are compared with respect to the number and frequency of criterion parameters, the reference values, and the methods for calculating the indices for common parameters. Likewise, the inclusion of other parameters associated with emerging contaminants associated with pesticides and microbial agents is analyzed. As a consequence of the investigation, parameters to be included are proposed, such as fecal coliforms, somatic coliphages, V Hepatitis A, OD, BOD, Cd, As, Hg, Pb, Zn, Cu and pesticides for which values have already been described. admissible.