Distribuição espacial de bactérias heterotróficas na rede de distribuição de água de Campina Grande-PB.

Abstract

The search for methodologies that allow the early identification of possible health risks associated with the degradation of water quality for human consumption becomes one of the challenges in action planning for surveillance of water quality. The present study aims at evaluating the degradation of water quality in the distribution system of Campina Grande through the spatial distribution of heterotrophic bacteria with the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The use of GIS allows the creation of a database, optimizing information and layout of the areas most vulnerable to degradation of water quality. Thus, the integration of information on socio-demographic characteristics (risk groups) and infrastructure by analyzing the profile of the community served, through thematic maps enables visually assess areas that pose a greater risk to the population that consumes water of the distribution system in case of any irregularity that might occur in the system, and the population is likely to consume low-quality water. In analyzing the results of heterotrophic bacteria indicator thematic maps were generated on the samples in accordance with Ordinance 518/2004MS, checking violations of potability standards established by this Ordinance. Spatial distribution of heterotrophic bacteria were estimated monthly average and thus generated thematic maps of the occurrence of heterotrophic bacteria indicating the monitoring points which are more degradation of water quality. By correlating the spatial distribution of heterotrophic bacteria with other indicators of water quality (free residual chlorine and turbidity) were generated thematic maps for analysis, and revealed that the behavior of heterotrophic bacterial count was inversely related to the free residual chlorine, whose consumption determines the degradation of water quality. Through the generation of thematic maps using information from the indicators of water quality degradation was noted that although violations of the Ordinance 518/04MS patterns, the water of the distribution system of Campina Grande is of good quality.