Introduction:

Health problems in the vulnerable sectors of the city of Esmeraldas related to the management of safe water represent one of the main issues due to the high incidence of these problems on the population and its health; However, there is still no research on the knowledge of safe water consumption and the prevention of sanitary emergencies in the Augusto Polanco neighborhood of the city of Esmeraldas.

Objective:

determine the level of knowledge about the practices for the use and consumption of safe water of the families living in the Augusto Polanco neighborhood of the city of Esmeraldas.

Materials and method:

A mixed study methodology of analytical-descriptive approach was used, in which instruments were applied as a questionnaire of 11 closed questions to assess the level of knowledge of respondents on the subject and an observation sheet in which parameters about water collection were analyzed; for the study, the population was taken as families living in the "Augusto Polanco" neighborhood, resulting in a sample of 38 families.

Results:

The results showed that 18% of the inhabitants of the area have little knowledge about the management, utility and storage of water resources, while 68% have an average knowledge about the subject of the study, a statement that was reaffirmed during the application of the observation sheet.

Conclusions:

the population of the area studied has deficient knowledge about the subject and the different variables to be considered, such as the care and consumption practices and management of the resource.