Abstract

This study analyzes the alterations occurred as a result of wastewater discharge into a natural water source in the province of Guanentá, Colombia. The research is descriptive and exploratory; through primary information collected during a period of three months, the main wastewater-generating activities were investigated and identified. Through an evaluation of environmental impacts, this study provided insights on the current state of the biotic, abiotic, and social components to propose different mitigation and prevention strategies, providing practical and environmentally friendly solutions. The study also shows that the alteration of the municipality’s water channel is high, modifying its normal characteristics and contributing to eutrophication. In the same way, the concession of coliforms can cause gastrointestinal diseases in people who are forced to capture water from this channel for their daily supply. The study found that water-quality parameters such as Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD5), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), and fats and oils exceeded the acceptable values established according to Colombian regulations. Thus, through this study, we sought that the environmental and national authorities must take immediate measures to tackle this problem.