Water Quality of Houses in 13 Municipalities in the State of Mexico

Thirty-nine houses in 13 municipalities in the State of Mexico were each sampled at 3 or 4 points (supply line, water tank, cistern, kitchen faucet or water bottle), to determine the water quality. Two bacteriological and 18 physico-chemical parameters were determined. Thirty-eight houses had at least one parameter outside the limits permissible by Mexican regulations; 26 houses were bacteriologically contaminated, and 36 houses were below the established range for residual free chlorine. Furthermore, manganese levels were outside the limit permissible in 26 houses. Municipality 13 presented the greatest difference in total alkalinity, total and calcium hardness, manganese and dissolved solids compared to the other municipalities, which is attributed to the remoteness of this municipality from the others, and the difference in soil type.