title: Application of water quality index to evaluate groundwater quality (temporal and spatial variation) of an intensively exploited aquifer (Puebla valley, Mexico).
abstract: The spatial and temporal variation of water quality in the urban area of the Puebla Valley aquifer was evaluated using historical and present data obtained during this investigation. The current study assessed water quality based on the Water Quality Index developed by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME-WQI), which provides a mathematical framework to evaluate the quality of water in combination with a set of conditions representing quality criteria, or limits. This index is flexible regarding the type and number of variables used by the evaluation given that the variables of interest are selected according to the characteristics and objectives of development, conservation and compliance with regulations. The CCME-WQI was calculated using several variables that assess the main use of the wells in the urban area that is public supply, according to criteria for human use and consumption established by Mexican law and international standards proposed by the World Health Organization. The assessment of the index shows a gradual deterioration in the quality of the aquifer over time, as the amount of wells with excellent quality have decreased and those with lower index values (poor quality) have increased throughout the urban area of the Puebla Valley aquifer. The parameters affecting groundwater quality are: total dissolved solids, sulfate, calcium, magnesium and total hardness.
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Ingeniería, Posgrado en Ingeniería Ambiental, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Paseo Cuauhnahuac 8532, Col. Progreso, C.P. 62550, Jiutepec, Morelos, Mexico. edithsalcedos@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Edith R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Salcedo-Sánchez
authors.affiliation: Instituto Mexicano de Tecnología del Agua (IMTA), Paseo Cuauhnahuac 8532, Col. Progreso, C.P. 62550, Jiutepec, Morelos, Mexico.
authors.forename: Sofía E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Garrido Hoyos
authors.affiliation: Centro Interamericano de Recursos del Agua (CIRA), Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Cerro de Coatepec, Ciudad Universitaria, C.P. 50110, Toluca, Estado de México, Mexico.
authors.forename: Ma Vicenta
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Esteller Alberich
authors.affiliation: Instituto Mexicano de Tecnología del Agua (IMTA), Paseo Cuauhnahuac 8532, Col. Progreso, C.P. 62550, Jiutepec, Morelos, Mexico.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martínez Morales
mesh_terms: D060766:Drinking Water / Q000032:analysis*; D004777:Environment; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D060587:Groundwater / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008800:Mexico; D013431:Sulfates / Q000032:analysis; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D060753:Water Quality; D014881:Water Supply / Q000592:standards*
chemical_list: D060766:Drinking Water; D013431:Sulfates; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D014867:Water
keywords: Drinking water; Intensive aquifer exploitation; Puebla; Water quality index