Assessment of the availability and quality of groundwater in community well in Momotombo, Nicaragua

Abstract

The present study evaluated the availability and quality of the groundwater resource in the community of Momotombo, municipality of La Paz Centro, department of León. According to Corrales Pérez (2005), groundwater is the main source of supply for human consumption, highlighting the need to protect and sustainably use aquifers. Since 2014, the community has been supplied by a well from the Nicaraguan Company of Aqueducts and Sewers (ENACAL), but lacks recent studies on its hydraulic properties and quality. This study aims to update that information through a mixed methodology that combines qualitative and quantitative methods, including meteorological data analysis, hydrogeological assessment, and water quality analysis through well pumping and laboratory tests, utilizing software tools such as ArcGIS, EASY QUIM, and AQTESOLV. The findings indicate favorable hydrogeological conditions, showing a free aquifer with a transmissivity of 1216.60 m²/d, suggesting high productivity and viability for well exploitation. A water potential of 21.27 Mm³/year and an extraction of 0.3188 Mm³/year are estimated to meet the population's demand, ensuring sustainable use. Regarding water quality, it mostly complies with the values established by the National Commission of Drinking Water and Sanitation (CAPRE) and the Nicaraguan technical standard (NTON 05-007-98), although elevated levels of sodium and chlorides were detected, along with minimal presence of bacterial agents, recommending primary treatment for the evaluated well water.