Vigilancia microbiológica y determinantes fisicoquímicos del agua para consumo humano en Agustín Codazzi (Cesar, Colombia), 2020–2024

Pedro  Fragozo; Mavis  Caballero Vega; Andrea Pacheco Doria

doi:10.22490/24629448.11771

Vol. 24 No. 47 (2026): 2

Published 2026-06-05

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Vigilancia microbiológica y determinantes fisicoquímicos del agua para consumo humano en Agustín Codazzi (Cesar, Colombia), 2020–2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22490/24629448.11771

Pedro Fragozo Popular University of Cesar

Mavis Caballero Vega Popular University of Cesar

Andrea Pacheco Doria Popular University of Cesar

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Abstract
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Introduction: Fecal contamination of drinking water remains a key determinant of Acute Diarrheal Disease (ADD) and other preventable enteric events. Escherichia coli and thermotolerant coliforms are the main microbiological indicators, and their presence in 100 mL reflects failures in disinfection, infiltration within the distribution network, or deficiencies in water treatment processes. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between bacterial indicators and physicochemical variables associated with the disinfection process during microbiological surveillance of drinking water distributed in Agustín Codazzi (Cesar, Colombia) from 2020 to 2024. Materials and methods: A longitudinal descriptive study was conducted using official records from the public services company EMCODAZZI. E. coli and total coliforms (CFU/100 mL) were analyzed, along with residual chlorine, turbidity, pH, and color. Spearman correlations and trend models were applied using R v4.3. Results: A progressive increase in E. coli and total coliforms was observed, associated with decreasing residual chlorine and increasing turbidity. Inverse correlations were found between residual chlorine and microbiological indicators, while turbidity showed a positive association with bacterial load. Conclusions: Residual chlorine and turbidity emerge as the most influential determinants of microbiological water quality during the study period. Strengthening operational control, optimizing disinfection, and reinforcing surveillance in the distribution network are recommended to mitigate health risks associated with human consumption.

keywords: drinking water, Escherichia coli, coliforms, chlorination, turbidity, waterborne diseases

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Fragozo, P., Caballero Vega, M. ., & Pacheco Doria, A. (2026). Vigilancia microbiológica y determinantes fisicoquímicos del agua para consumo humano en Agustín Codazzi (Cesar, Colombia), 2020–2024. NOVA Biomedical Sciences Journal, 24(47), 55-66. https://doi.org/10.22490/24629448.11771

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Vigilancia microbiológica y determinantes fisicoquímicos del agua para consumo humano en Agustín Codazzi (Cesar, Colombia), 2020–2024

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