EEvaluation of water quality for agricultural use in livestock farms located in the Sumapaz region (Cundinamarca, Colombia)

Evaluación de la calidad del agua para uso agropecuario en predios ganaderos localizados en la región del Sumapaz (Cundinamarca, Colombia)

Objective: to assess water quality in small and medium livestock farms from the Sumapaz region. Materials and methods: 50 mL of water were collected in sterile bags, for determination of microbial contamination, presence of mesophilic aerobes, total coliforms, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas sp. According to law 1575/2007 from The Ministry of Health. Results: microbial contamination was determined in 16 (66,7%) out of 24 farms. Altogether with presence of mesophilic aerobes, total coliforms, Escherichia coli and Salmonella sp in at least 25% of the evaluated farms. Conclusions: findings suggest that water could represent a source of microbial contamination for human health, livestock production and market chain of dairy and meat products in the Sumapaz province.