Effects of urbanization and accessibility to sanitation services on water quality in urban streams in Uruguay

• Published in: Environmental monitoring and assessment 2024-02, Vol.196 (2), p.185-185, Article 185
• Main Authors: Teixeira de Mello, Franco, Sierra, Pablo, Moi, Dieison A., Alonso, Jimena, Lucas, Christine, Suárez, Bárbara, Alvareda, Elena, Alvarez, Jimena, Andrade, María Soledad, Arimon, Lucia, Urtado, Lucía, Piperno, Adriana
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Biodiversity; Biodiversity loss; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecology; Ecosystem; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Management; Environmental Monitoring; Freshwater; Freshwater resources; Freshwater resources management; Geographic information systems; Geographical information systems; Green infrastructure; Information systems; Inland water environment; Monitoring/Environmental Analysis; Parameter identification; Parameters; Physicochemical processes; Physicochemical properties; Remote sensing; Resource management; Rivers; Sanitation; Sanitation services; Streams; Sustainability management; Urban areas; Urban populations; Urbanization; Uruguay; Water pollution; Water Quality; Watersheds
• ISSN: 0167-6369; 1573-2959
• DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12365-z

The world’s urban population is growing rapidly, and threatening natural ecosystems, especially streams. Urbanization leads to stream alterations, increased peak flow frequencies, and reduced water quality due to pollutants, morphological changes, and biodiversity loss, known as the urban stream syndrome. However, a shift towards recognizing urban streams as valuable natural systems is occurring, emphasizing green infrastructure and nature-based solutions. This study in Uruguay examined water quality in various watersheds with different urbanization levels and socio-environmental characteristics along a precipitation gradient. Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and in situ data, we assessed physicochemical parameters, generated territorial variables, and identified key predictors of water quality. We found that urbanization, particularly urban areas, paved areas, and populations without sanitation, significantly influenced water quality parameters. These factors explained over 50% of the variation in water quality indicators. However, the relationship between urbanization and water quality was non-linear, with abrupt declines after specific urban intensity thresholds. Our results illustrate that ensuring sanitation networks and managing green areas effectively are essential for preserving urban stream water quality. This research underscores the importance of interdisciplinary teams and localized data for informed freshwater resource management.