Parâmetros físico-químicos e microbiológicos da água distribuída no bairro do Maracujá no Município de Itambé-PE

Abstract

The quantity and the quality of water to which humans have access are global rivet, given that the access to clean water directly affects population quality of life. Itambé-PE, a municipality located in the Mata Norte Pernambucana region, currently has an estimated population of 35,398 inhabitants who suffer of poor water supply rationing, as well as the inadequacy and the lack of a Municipal Basic Sanitation Plan (PMSB). In light of this reality and the hypothesis of water contamination, this study evaluated the quality of residential water supply in the Maracujá neighborhood of Itambé-PE as a result of physical-chemical and microbiological analyses, comparing it with the parameters former established by Portaria GM/MS nº 888, dated May 4, 2021. Initially, apparent color, turbidity, and hydrogen ion potential (pH) of the water were evaluated by direct measurements, and the Most Probable Number (MPN) of total coliforms and thermotolerant coliforms was determined via multiple tube analysis. The results of the physical-chemical analyses showed that, regarding the apparent color, all analyses exceeded the maximum allowable value established by the current regulation, while turbidity was within the standards in only two out of six samples that were analyzed, the pH results were all within the established standards. However, whereas microbiological analyses, both total coliforms and thermotolerant coliforms had MPN/100mL >23, exceeding the limits required by legislation. The analyses conducted indicate that the treatment plant has not been efficiently fulfilling its function, for, even after undergoing an entire process, the "Grilo" Water Treatment System’s water distributed to the residents of the Maracujá neighborhood does not meet the potability standards established by Portaria nº 888/21 of the Ministry of Health.