Abstract

MADRIGAL-SOLIS, Helga; FONSECA-SANCHEZ, Alicia; NUNEZ-SOLIS, Christian  and  GOMEZ-CRUZ, Alicia. Potential Pollution Sources to Groundwater in the North Region of Barva Aquifer, Heredia, Costa Rica. Tecnol. cienc. agua [online]. 2014, vol.5, n.6, pp.103-118. ISSN 2007-2422.

Most of the drinking water and the water for economic activities in the Central Valley of Costa Rica come from aquifers located in this region. However, many of these activities take place on the recharge zone of unconfined Barva aquifer, posing a threat to water quality. The aim of this study was to develop a map of pollution load to the Counties of Santa Barbara, and San Rafael Barva, Heredia, Costa Rica, as a first step in the generation of a risk map for Barva aquifer. Activities were selected and classified according to the POSH method (Origin Surcharge Hydraulically Pollutant). Then, the study area was divided into a grid of 250 x 250 m and the maximum value of the potential for generation of a pollutant load was assigned, according to the value assigned to the activities into that cell. Of the 2103 cells, 45% had at least one activity with an elevated potential, 32% with at least one activity with moderate potential, 14% with at least one activity with reduced potential and 9% with zero potential. Furthermore, the areas above Bambinos and Los Angeles sub aquifers were identified as the most critical. The information generated will contribute to the design and implementation of more stringent control measures, designed to minimize the probability of contamination.

Keywords : Threat; groundwater; Barva aquifer; point sources; non-point sources; pollution; pollution surcharge; POSH method.

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