Introduction: A significant proportion of water for human consumption has an underground origin becoming 80% in Chilean rural areas where profound wells represent the only search of water for human and animal beverage.
Aim: To study the microbiological quality of water from agricultural land for livestock production in the province of Valdivia (40°S), Chile and its potential impact on human health.
Material and method: Water samples were collected monthly (2008 - 2009), at the entrance and exit of a water stream running through the field and in well water used for human and animal consumption. The total coliform (Tc) and Escherichia coli were determined by the confirmatory method Quanti-Tray together with other physicochemical assessments in the water and climatic variables.
Results: In samples from the stream water and wells, the Most Probable Number of Tc and E. coli exceeded the standard Chilean Norm of Water Quality (NCh 409/1) for human consumption.
Conclusion: These results show the need to regulate the environmental impact of farming and cattle production and to monitor the drinking water to meet the minimum standards of health protection.