Heavy metal assessment in drinking waters of Ecuador: Quito, Ibarra and Guayaquil

A comprehensive assessment of drinking water quality in three Ecuadorian cities—Quito, Ibarra, and Guayaquil—revealed that while overall compliance with local and international standards is maintained, significant concerns persist regarding heavy metal contamination. The study, employing multielement analysis and the heavy metal pollution index (HPI), found that 2.8% of samples in Guayaquil exceeded WHO-recommended lead levels, indicating potential risks to human health. Despite no significant HPI differences across neighborhoods, the findings underscore the need for urgent measures to protect water sources, particularly in Guayaquil, where chromium and lead were detected. The research advocates for a nationwide evaluation of plumbing systems to mitigate contamination risks.

Cipriani-Avila, I., Molinero, J., Jara-Negrete, E., Barrado, M., Arcos, C., Mafla, S., Custode, F., Vilaña, G., Carpintero, N., & Ochoa-Herrera, V. (2020). Heavy metal assessment in drinking waters of Ecuador: Quito, Ibarra and Guayaquil. Journal of Water and Health, 18(6), 1050–1064. https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2020.093