Water supply system of the city of Catalão-GO: Evaluation of turbidity, chlorination and bacteriological quality

Abstract

Water is a vital necessity for any living being and it is used for numerous purposes. Depending on the intended use it must display certain characteristics of potability. This study aimed at evaluating the quality of water supplied in the city of Catalão-GO, by analyzing turbidity, chlorination and microbiological attributes based on the parameters established by Decree n° 2914/2011-Ministery of Health, and to correlate the climate interference on turbidity and chlorine. Nine samples were collected weekly during the months from July to December 2012. The water samples were analyzed for turbidity, chlorine, total coliforms and Escherichia coli parameters. Of 216 analyzed samples, 7.87 % (17) showed chlorine below the rate recommended in the legislation. Regarding the turbidity 100 % of samples presented value <5 UT. In analyzing the total coliforms and E. coli, 100 % of the samples showed satisfactory results, being absent in 100 mL of sample. No correlation was found neither between chlorine levels and temperature, nor between turbidity and rainfall. Considering that the potability standards have complied with the monthly averages obtained by the Department of Municipal Sanitary of Catalão-GO, the public water supply system has reached the satisfactory quality rates of the treated water.