Concentration of iron and manganese in water supply in the municipality of Crato, Ceará: characterization and proposal of treatment

Abstract

The objective of this research is to propose a technology alternative for the removal of iron and manganese from public water sources in the municipality of Crato, Ceará, based on the evaluation of current water quality parameters. The removal of these compounds becomes necessary given the problems associated with them when present in values above the allowable limits. The high concentration causes physical and chemical changes in the water, such as color change and characteristic odor, leading to rejection of water consumption. In order to identify the concentration of these metals and to propose a compatible method for its removal and efficient control, the physico-chemical analysis was carried out in 35 supply points, chosen according to the location criteria and the existence of previous data on its organoleptic quality. For this, the Wilcoxon test was applied to evaluate the degree of dispersion of the data around the concentration average and then ordered the data in concentration bands. From the analysis of the results, it was recommended calcium hypochlorite oxidation followed by bed filtration of activated charcoal, as it is one of the most efficient processes for the removal of soluble iron and manganese compounds.

Keywords

• Metais. Propriedades Organolépticas. Potabilidade.