Surface water quality in the river ¨Pire¨ micro basin, municipality of Condega Nicaragua

Abstract

The river Pire micro basin is located in the dry corridor of Nicaragua; 70% of the territory has a forest vocation and the remaining 30% corresponds to agriculture. In 2015, the Nicaraguan Institute for Territorial Studies (INETER) shows that thickets represent 50% of the total territory, grasslands (37.6%), annual cultivation (7.43%), latifoliate forest (4.7%) and populated center (0.27%), showing that the soils are not taking advantage according to their vocation. In Nicaragua, many of the grazing lands are located in dry areas susceptible to water deficit, an example of which is the micro basin river Pire; any subsequent decline in water resources will greatly affect the availability of water for grazing, which implies an impact on the productivity of the territories. Of the 12 monitored physico-chemical variables, conductivity and turbidity are above the norm; turbidity is an important measure in water purification for human consumption. Considering the main components and trace elements present in the water of the river Pire, they are considered as good quality for aquatic life and irrigation; in terms of biological indicators the results showed the presence of Total Coliforms (CT) Thermotolerant Coliforms (CTT) and Escherichia Coli (E. Coli).