Monitoramento da qualidade de águas de cisternas e suas consequências para a saúde da comunidade Santa Luzia, município de Picuí-PB.

Abstract

The Brazilian Semiarid is composed of 1,133 municipalities, with an area of 969,589.4 km2. One of its main characteristics is water scarcity, caused by high rates of evapotranspiration and low annual rainfall, which has resulted in the search for alternative supply solutions, among which highlights out the construction of cisterns plates for catchment and storage of rainwater. The Program One Million Cisterns (P1MC) of the Federal Government is the main responsible for construction of these reservoirs with the purpose of store water for attendance water demand, however, in periods of prolonged drought access to quality water becomes very difficult. This study had as objective monitoring the quality of water consumed and stored in cisterns in the community Santa Luzia, municipality of Picuí-PB, besides investigating water transmitted diseases. The water supply sources were classified according to CONAMA Resolution 357/2005 and homes were water samples collected for the purpose of physical-chemical and bacteriological analyzes, comparing the results with the standards established in the Ordinance of potability 2.914/2011. Additionally, tests were conducted to evaluate the transport of substances – Ca2+, Al3+, Fe (total), SiO2 – of the cement mortar used in the coating of cisterns for water. Water supply for human consumption in the community is realized through the brackish water desalination, but the system does not meet the demand and the population ends up using alternative sources, which have proved inappropriate for human consumption. The water multiple uses is coming from supply by pipa operation, wells and a small weelspring known as "Olho d'água". Accordance with CONAMA Resolution 357/2005, the pipa operation and the community well fall under class 1 waters sweet and brackish, respectively, whereas the "Olho d'água" falls under only in class 3 brackish waters it is proving inadequate to community uses. The physico-chemical analyzes show common characteristics of water of this region, howeverit was observed 6 samples (20%) with high concentrations of aluminum, which are all from cisterns, water's box and cement tanks in this way, it is emphasized the possibility of release of this metal from the cement mortar used for coating of these reservoirs. In of human consumption water have been found total coliforms and Escherichia coli, additionally, examinations reveal contamination of persons with pathogenic species of intestinal parasites; in this way, it is becomes necessary the adoption of aseptic practices of the containers and disinfection of water to be consumed in order to prevent water transmitted diseases. Also was demonstrated in this work the onset of substances in the water in contact with cement mortar. This transport is influenced by the time in which water is stored, by the renovations of water can accelerate this process and by the pH variations that may occur. Of the substances analyzed the aluminum represent the greatest risk because the concentrations are very high when compared with the standard for potable water and its intake has been associated with neurological and bone diseases.