The Impact of a Mobile Laboratory on Water Quality Assessment in Remote Areas of Panama

Jorge E. Olmos Guevara, Kathia Broce, Natasha A. Gómez Zanetti, Dina Henríquez, Christopher Ellis and Yazmin L. Mack-Vergara ()
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Jorge E. Olmos Guevara: Centro Experimental de Ingeniería (CEI), Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá, Panama City 0819-07289, Panama
Kathia Broce: Centro de Investigaciones Hidráulicas e Hidrotécnicas (CIHH), Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá, Panama City 0819-07289, Panama
Natasha A. Gómez Zanetti: Centro Experimental de Ingeniería (CEI), Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá, Panama City 0819-07289, Panama
Dina Henríquez: Facultad de Ciencias y Tecnología, Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá, Panama City 0819-07289, Panama
Christopher Ellis: Facultad de Ingeniería Civil, Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá, Panama City 0819-07289, Panama
Yazmin L. Mack-Vergara: Centro Experimental de Ingeniería (CEI), Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá, Panama City 0819-07289, Panama

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-29

Abstract: Monitoring water quality is crucial for achieving clean water and sanitation goals, particularly in remote areas. The project “Morbidity vs. Water Quality for Human Consumption in Tonosí: A Pilot Study” aimed to enhance water quality assessments in Panama using advanced analytical techniques to assess volatile organic compounds, heavy metals, and microbiological pathogens. To support this, the Technical Unit for Water Quality (UTECH) was established, featuring a novel mobile laboratory with cutting-edge technology for accurate testing, minimal chemical reagent use, reduced waste generation, and equipped with a solar-powered battery system. The aim of this paper is to explore the design, deployment, and impact of the UTECH. Furthermore, this study presents results from three sampling points in Tonosí, where several parameters exceeded regulatory limits, demonstrating the capabilities of the UTECH and highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and intervention. The study also assesses the environmental, social, and economic impacts of the UTECH in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals and national initiatives. Finally, a SWOT analysis illustrates the UTECH’s potential to improve water quality assessments in Panama while identifying areas for sustainable growth. The study showcases the successful integration of advanced mobile laboratory technologies into water quality monitoring, contributing to sustainable development in Panama and offering a replicable model for similar initiatives in other regions.

Keywords: water quality; advanced analytical techniques; low environmental impact; precise results; mobile laboratory; Tonosí; Panama (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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