A recent international study alerts about the risks associated with the presence of metals such as iron and aluminum in pipelines, as they compromise the quality of water.
They promote the formation of resistant microbial biofilms, compromising sanitation.
The quality of drinking water at risk due to heavy metals
Researchers from Mongolia, Tunisia, Portugal, and Spain identified that stagnant water in metal pipes promotes the formation of biofilms.
These are communities of microorganisms that adhere to the internal surfaces of the pipes.
According to the study published in Nature, the presence of metals such as iron and aluminum intensifies this process, increasing the water turbidity and the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria. This leads to the appearance of Salmonella enterica and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, associated with gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases.
How it impacts water quality.
Direct consequences for public health
The quality of drinking water is essential for public health, and the formation of biofilms in pipelines represents a significant threat.
They are difficult to eliminate once established, and their presence can generate microbial resistances, complicating efforts to ensure safe water for human consumption.
In this sense, experts suggest the implementation of preventive measures, such as replacing metal pipes with materials that do not promote biofilm formation, and improving water distribution systems to avoid prolonged stagnation.
Furthermore, constant monitoring of water quality is essential, as well as promoting practices that reduce contamination by heavy metals.
The innovative system created to measure water quality in Mexico
The issue of heavy metals in pipelines.
The Innovation, Technological Development, and Internet of Things Applications Center (CIIoT) at Tec de Monterrey developed an original platform to measure water quality. It is called “Internet of Water,” a technological platform based on the Internet of Things (IoT).
The system monitors rivers, lakes, lagoons, and streams, measuring the levels of contaminants present in them.
The educational institution that developed the system is the number one Mexican university in engineering and technology, according to the QS World Ranking 2025.
Sensors designed specifically to measure a variety of substances present in water were integrated, making it a sophisticated monitoring system with a communication gateway.
This system sends data to antennas for transmission to a database, solar panels that power low-consumption lithium batteries, and buoys that keep the device afloat.
