Sanitation and microbiological water quality in the watershed of Santos - São Vicente Estuary

Abstract

This study assessed the evolution in sanitary services and water quality in the watershed of Santos and São Vicente Estuary from 2004 onwards. Results show evolution in services offered to the population after conclusion of the first phase of Onda Limpa Program, when sewage treated at the secondary level evolved from 11% to 14% of population, the pre-conditioning followed by submarine outfall 49% to 53% and population without a sewerage system fell 40% to 33%, being that for the latter 41% are in irregular areas not subjected to coverage. Among the four most populous sub-basins, each has about 90,000 people without a sewerage system, including urbanized and irregular areas. This factor, added to high level of annual rainfall still harms the water quality on the region.

Keywords

• bathing
• water quality
• santos estuary
• sanitation