Condições sanitárias das águas de piscinas de Campina Grande.

Abstract

The main objective of this monograph consists of a sanitary survey of the waters of four public swimming pools of Campina Grande-Pb, in order to determine the acceptability of this water for its proper purpose; that is, whether the water is safe or unsafe for bathing. This program involved biological and physico-chemical examinations of the waters of the pools taken as samples. The procedure applied for the evaluation of the biological quality of water was the determination of the coliform group that includes total and fecal coliform bacteria as indicators of pollution. Physical-chemical examinations included determinations of pH, temperature, turbidity, residual and total chlorine. These parameters were obtained with the purpose of evaluating the disinfection process applied to water and its operation and maintenance. The results obtained with the application of such analyzes showed clearly that the four pools sampled presented an insecure water for the bath; this is; the water is heavily contaminated. The identification of other pollution indicators can also be used as a correlation parameter with the pollution due to the bacteria of the coliform group. In the particular case of this monograph some innovative tests were used. These tests were: (1) Use of aeruginous bacteria counts as indicators of fecal pollution; (2) Analysis of fecal streptococci as indicators of fecal pollution; (3) Staphylococcal bacteria analyzes as indicators of pollution; (4) Examination of heterotrophic aerobic facultative bacteria as indicators of pollution. In this case, the results of these analyzes indicated a high water pollution of the sampled swimming pools. The other purpose of this research was to show the managers and users of swimming pools the importance of a quality control of pool water. This control becomes necessary to guarantee adequate sanitary conditions for the simple bath or for the sports practices carried out in public swimming pools.