Debido a la incertidumbre sobre la calidad del agua para consumo humano en Tonosí, provincia de Los Santos; se lleva a cabo el proyecto “Morbilidad vs la calidad del agua para consumo humano en Tonosí: un estudio piloto”, el cual tiene como objetivo evaluar la calidad del agua incluyendo la identificación y cuantificación de parámetros no convencionales como metales pesados y compuestos orgánicos en zonas remotas, con técnicas analíticas instrumentales avanzadas a través de un laboratorio móvil operado por personal técnico calificado. El laboratorio móvil es un vehículo tipo van que está equipado con equipos compactos, con tecnología de punta, respuesta rápida y con un mínimo de residuos generados. Gracias a este equipo, es posible evaluar compuestos orgánicos por cromatografía; metales pesados por fluorescencia de rayos X; contaminación biológica mediante la técnica de filtración por membranas; parámetros fisicoquímicos mediante titulación y espectrofotometría; además de la evaluación de las condiciones ambientales. De esta manera, se busca dar respuesta a la preocupación de la población respecto a la calidad del agua para consumo.

Water quality concerns the physical, chemical, and biological factors that could negatively impact human health through its consumption, potentially causing infectious and chronic diseases due to immediate or prolonged exposure. In this context, the objective of this study is to identify diseases that are correlated with the quality of drinking water according to the literature. A systematic review was carried out considering academic and scientific documents from the last 6 years, including peer-reviewed research articles, books, and technical documents, such as standards and regulations related to public health and water quality. Subsequently, these results were applied to a case study from Tonosí (a district in Panama), where a drinking water quality assessment project was developed over the past two years including physicochemical, biological, inorganic chemical, and organic chemical analyses on drinking water during the rainy and dry seasons. Forty-five documents were obtained from the literature review and are presented in tables relating to diseases and water quality parameters. Based on the drinking water quality assessment results from Tonosí, the levels above and below the permissible range—according to the DGNTI-COPANIT 21-2019 Technical Regulation adopted by Panama as a drinking water quality standard—and the diseases associated with the parameters evaluated (in accordance with the literature review) are presented. The results show that there is a possible relationship between some of the water quality parameters and cases of gastrointestinal diseases in the area; however, more in-depth research and statistics at the national level are needed on the health of the population.

Monitoring water quality is crucial for achieving clean water and sanitation goals, particularly in remote areas. The project “Morbidity vs. Water Quality for Human Consumption in Tonosí: A Pilot Study” aimed to enhance water quality assessments in Panama using advanced analytical techniques to assess volatile organic compounds, heavy metals, and microbiological pathogens. To support this, the Technical Unit for Water Quality (UTECH) was established, featuring a novel mobile laboratory with cutting-edge technology for accurate testing, minimal chemical reagent use, reduced waste generation, and equipped with a solar-powered battery system. The aim of this paper is to explore the design, deployment, and impact of the UTECH. Furthermore, this study presents results from three sampling points in Tonosí, where several parameters exceeded regulatory limits, demonstrating the capabilities of the UTECH and highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and intervention. The study also assesses the environmental, social, and economic impacts of the UTECH in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals and national initiatives. Finally, a SWOT analysis illustrates the UTECH’s potential to improve water quality assessments in Panama while identifying areas for sustainable growth. The study showcases the successful integration of advanced mobile laboratory technologies into water quality monitoring, contributing to sustainable development in Panama and offering a replicable model for similar initiatives in other regions.

The microbiological assessment of water is crucial for public health. It is particularly significant in developing countries. This study assess the microbiological quality of water sources for human consumption in the District of Tonosí, Republic of Panama, using a portable advanced technique to detect fecal coliforms. Tonosí is a rural area, characterized by its tropical climate. Its main economic activities are agriculture and livestock. Eleven points were identified and sampled during the dry season of 2023. The Potatest 2 microbiological water quality laboratory was used to analyze the water samples. The procedure involved filtering water samples using a Membrane Filtration Unit (MFU), followed by incubation. Physicochemical parameters such as temperature, pH, residual chlorine, color, turbidity, and suspended solids were also measured. Fecal coliforms were found in most sampling points, exceeding acceptable limits according to the DGNTI-COPANIT Technical Regulation 21-2019 for drinking water in Panama. Parameters such as water temperature and pH were within regulatory standards, while some color and turbidity values slightly exceeded the limits, indicating the need for monitoring. Low residual chlorine levels suggested inadequate disinfection. The study emphasizes the importance of regular monitoring and inter-institutional collaboration for effective water quality management.