AVALIAÇÃO DOS EFEITOS ANTRÓPICOS SOBRE AS CONDIÇÕES DE POTABILIDADE DAS ÁGUAS DE SURGÊNCIAS NA ZONA RURAL DE URUTAÍ – GO

Abstract

Water quality monitoring is a relevant tool for planning and taking actions that guarantee water conservation in a river basin. This work aimed to evaluate the effects of human action on the quality of water from perennial springs in the Palmital stream microbasin, in Urutaí-GO. Four emergences were selected and had their physical (temperature, turbidity, total solids and electrical conductivity), chemical (Hydrogen potential - pH, nitrate, phosphate, biochemical oxygen demand and dissolved oxygen) and microbiological (total and thermotolerant coliforms) characteristics monitored throughout of one year, in campaigns during the rainy and dry seasons, in addition to determining the water quality index (WQI). It was found that all the points analyzed, in the rainy and dry periods, presented thermotolerant coliforms and “good” AQI, indicating that, even though it is emergency water, there is a need to carry out at least simplified treatments, such as chlorination, coagulation and flocculation, and filtration. The adoption of preventive measures aimed at preserving water sources as well as the treatment of already compromised water are the necessary tools to reduce the risk of water-borne diseases occurring. Keywords: water resources, monitoring, water quality index.