Author(s): Martina Pou; Angela Gorgoglione
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Water quality; Urban watershed; Uruguayan legislation
Abstract: This study assesses the spatio-temporal variation in water quality of Molino Stream, an urban watercourse in southern Uruguay, against local standards. Key pollutants analyzed include total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), fecal coliforms (FC), and ammonia (NH3). The results show significant exceedances of regulatory limits for TP and high levels of FC near sanitation connections, indicating persistent pollution and insufficient oxygen for aquatic life. Nutrient concentrations worsen downstream, highlighting ongoing water quality degradation. These findings emphasize that local legislation is inadequate to protect urban water bodies, underscoring the need for a more comprehensive urban water management approach to guide future policy and development.
Year: 2024