Quality physical-chemical and microbiological springs of the urban perimeter of Divinópolis - MG

Abstract

The springs are important source for ecosystem dynamics and, although its waters are generally considered pure, these may be contaminated, becoming a risk to human health. This work aimed to evaluate the quality of 22 water springs in the urban area of the city of Divinópolis - MG through physical-chemical analysis, like temperature, pH, turbidity and dissolved oxygen, and also microbiological examination - total coliform and thermotolerant coliform (Escherichia coli). Among the studied springs, two of them were found completely dry and two sources did not present appropriate conditions for the sample collection. The results showed pH range between 5.46 and 6.9, dissolved oxygen concentrations between 2.7 and 9.1 ml/L, and turbidity values between 1 and 155 NTU. It was identified total coliform presence in 18 springs and E. coli presence in 15 analyzed springs. The data showed a general situation of water quality degradation in the analyzed springs; therefore, there is an emergency need of communicating to the users of these water sources. Moreover, it is necessary for public institutions, together with the population, to take the steps to preserve and recover these water springs.

Keywords

• sources, water quality, analysis, human consumption