Study of water quality indicators in superficial water source for public supply

Abstract

The present study attempted to the evaluation of water quality in a public superficial water supplying exposed to diverse anthropic impacts, to create consequently, subsidies for its management. The study was carried out in the municipal dams' complex in Sao Jose do Rio Preto-SP, involving four campaigns of data collection on five different points of the studied water body. Were realized physical-chemical, organoleptic, chemical and microbiological analysis for the appraisal of 31 water quality parameters. These parameters are included in national and international guidelines related to bathing and drinking water conditions, protection of aquatic life and trophic situation of waters. The values obtained were then compared with the limits prescript on those guidelines. Parameters with values in discordance with those prescripts were found in all the guidelines consulted. Among these parameters, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, P total and fecal coliphorms, became detached because of the discordances frequency. Results show an alarming scene in relation to water quality in thewater supplying source. This situation remits to the importance of theeffectuation of mitigating and management actions in the river Rio Preto's basin and, in addiction, emphasizes the importance of future studies for the investigation of the effect of these contaminants in aquatic organisms, which are used as food by a portion of local population.