Groundwater quality for agricultural uses in Fraga, San Luis (Argentina): Case study

Abstract

This work was carried out in "El trébol", an agricultural and livestock property located in the center of the province of San Luis (Argentina). Groundwater is used for human consumption, irrigation, cattle drinking and in agrochemicals application, therefore the objective was to characterize and classify the water for each utilization according to quality criteria established by different authors. Samples were taken during the four seasons of the year and physical-chemical and bacteriological analysis were carried out. Results show that heterotrophic bacteria and total coliforms amounts present exceed the limits, so water is not suitable for human consumption. According to physical-chemical results, water is classified as sodium sulfate and suitable for irrigation, deficient in salt content for livestock use, because of that is necessary to carry out mineral supplementation, as well as is also required correctors utilization for its use with agrochemicals.