Qualidade da água consumida pela população rural em Uberaba e Monte Alegre de Minas /MG

Resumo (EN)

Objective – To test the water quality of water sources used in the rural area of the Triângulo Mineiro and verify the adequacy to human consumption, through physical-chemical and biological analyzes of samples of water consumed in rural properties, relating water quality with the type of source: shallow well, cistern and artesian well. When it comes to water reserves, Brazil is a privileged country. About 12% of the surface of the planet's water flows into our rivers. According to the FAO, this percentage is 42% higher than that of Europe and more than a quarter of the African continent. Approximately 90% of the Brazilian territory presents a water surplus during the year, which favors the formation of an extensive network of aquatic environments. But despite this wealth, water does not exist in its pure state and several factors have been changing its quality and, in the rural area beyond the use of pesticides, there is waste and sewage that can contaminate it, leaving it unfit for human consumption. Methods – Three wells were sampled in the rural area: shallow, shallow and deep. The samples were obtained according to the methodology recommended by the literature. The collection was carried out in polyethylene and glass bottles. This methodology was adopted at collection points 1 and 2. For the sampling site 3: the water was collected directly on the surface. For the microbiological analyzes the chromogenic substrates method was used. Results – Only one of the three stations sampled presented water quality for human consumption. In one season there was contamination by coliforms and in another one, besides the colimentria, the turbidity also did not fit the standards of potability. Conclusion – When comparing the data with the current legislation it was verified that the deeper the well, the better the water quality.