Heavy metals may be required by living organisms as micronutrients while others have no equivalent role and are harmful even at very low concentrations. Its wide distribution in nature is one of the causes of great impacts on human health. In Panama, 20% of the population does not receive potable water and must resort to rural aqueducts that obtain water from surface catchments or from underground aquifers that are managed by the community itself. Of these, the quality of the water supplied by the rural aqueducts is unknown, because the Technical Regulation DGNTI-COPANIT 23-395-99, which regulates the characteristics of drinking water in the country, does not apply to these. By not knowing the quality, the presence of contaminants such as heavy metals, pathogens and other types of microorganisms is also a concern. The purposes of this study are: to characterize the content of heavy metals in rural aqueducts of the District of Tonosí, to determine the presence of organisms in the waters of these rural aqueducts through ATP testing and to select sites for a future abundance characterization study distribution and diversity of heavy metal resistance genes present in the microbiome of the groundwater sources that supply the rural aqueducts of the District of Tonosí, using a metagenomic approach.

The primary source of drinking water for the people of Tonosí, Panama, is groundwater. This research evaluates the presence of heavy metals and possible hazards by combining geochemical and isotopic analyses. Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence (TXRF) was used to measure metal levels in water and soil near wells and springs, while stable isotope ratios (δ²H and δ¹⁸O) identified the source of groundwater recharge. Isotopic signatures closely aligned with the Local Meteoric Water Line (LMWL), suggesting meteoric origin and limited evaporation. An analysis of Enrichment Factor (EF) for soil samples, utilizing background values from Coiba and Montijo, showed moderate to substantial enrichment of arsenic, chromium, and copper. Soil enrichment suggests possible dangers with environmental shifts like changes in land use or heavy rainfall. These findings highlight the necessity for continual groundwater observation in rural areas and show the benefits of integrating isotopic and geochemical methods to detect sources of contamination and guide protection strategies. This research improves comprehension of heavy metal exposure in tropical aquifers and offers evidence to aid environmental and public health policymaking.

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.

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.