Qualidade da água do abastecimento público do município de Areia - PB

Abstract

Water is essential for the existence of all humans and living organisms on the planet. In addition to playing a vital role in ecosystem balance, it is a critical resource for meeting basic needs and supporting domestic, commercial, and industrial activities. Public water supply, provided by government authorities, must be safely treated, fulfilling its function of reliably and sustainably to meet the demands of society. For this, rigorous treatment processes and compliance with technical standards are essential before water is available for consumers. This study aimed to analyze the quality of the water supply in the municipality of Areia (Paraíba, Brazil), through physicochemical and microbiological analyses. Samples were collected between August 2023 and April 2024 in a neighborhood located at the endpoint of CAGEPA’s water distribution system. These samples were stored in sterilized bottles and sent to the Analytical Chemistry Laboratory at the Universidade Federal da Paraiba (UFPB) Center for Agricultural Sciences. The physicochemical parameters analyzed included pH, temperature, conductivity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, residual chlorine, carbon dioxide, alkalinity, magnesium, calcium, total hardness, chloride, sodium, potassium, total phosphorus, ammonia, nitrate, sulfate, and salinity. The methodologies followed the Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, except for ammonia analysis, which was based on ASTM D 1426: Standard Test Methods for Ammonia Nitrogen in Water. The enzymatic substrate method Colilert® was used to determine the presence or absence of total coliforms and Escherichia coli. Based on the results, the physicochemical parameters complied with the limits established by current regulations, except for residual chlorine and total phosphorus. According to microbiological quality assay, only the March sample met the desired standards, highlighting the need for strict practices to preserve water quality and protect the community health. This includes identifying potential contamination sources, implementing preventive measures, and maintaining continuous monitoring.