Proposal for the Adaptation of the Potable Water Treatment System in a Poultry Industry

Abstract

The treatment of drinking water in the poultry industry is crucial to ensure product quality and worker health. The water composition varies depending on the industrial process, infrastructure, and its use within the facilities. This study evaluated the efficiency of the Drinking Water Treatment System using ion exchange in a poultry company in Zulia. Samples were taken at critical points such as the well, the feeding area, and the egg grading room, analyzing physicochemical and microbiological parameters according to the Venezuelan Sanitary Standard for Drinking Water Quality. The results of the raw water characterization revealed high levels of minerals such as chlorides, hardness, manganese, iron, and sodium, as well as the presence of microorganisms like mesophilic aerobes and coliforms, exceeding the allowed limits. Although the treatment system reduced some impurities, elevated values of true color, total iron, and total solids were still detected in the treated water. Given these findings, it is proposed to adapt the system through improvements in technical documentation, operation, quality monitoring, risk assessment, and the implementation of periodic inspections.