O acesso à água potável é um dos fatores mais importantes para a saúde. A falta de acesso à água potável resulta em alta prevalência de infecções, como gastroenterite bacteriana e surtos de diarreia. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade da água de abastecimento público em 42 municípios, localizados na região Leste do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, durante os anos de 2016 a 2020. Os parâmetros investigados incluíram físicos, químicos e microbiológicos. A coleta de amostras, preservação e análises foram realizadas de acordo com as normas nacionais e internacionais. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram não conformidade com a legislação brasileira para cor aparente (1,1%), turbidez (0,4%), fluoreto (14,2%), coliformes totais (4,4%) e Escherichia coli (E. coli) (0,4%). Em uma breve comparação com outros estudos, o maior percentual de amostras insatisfatórias se deve ao fato de o flúor estar abaixo do mínimo de <0,6 ppm, demostrando a necessidade de treinamento no processo de fluoretação. A necessidade de investir na capacitação das equipes de vigilância sanitária para realizar análises de campo (cloro e pH) também foi observada. O presente estudo pode ser um guia para ações futuras, orientando a adoção de medidas preventivas e corretivas, demonstrando a importância do monitoramento da qualidade da água de abastecimento.
Palavras-chave: água potável; qualidade da água; saúde pública
Access to drinking water is one of the most important factors for health. The lack of access to safe drinking water results in a high prevalence of infections, such as bacterial gastroenteritis and outbreaks of diarrhea. This study evaluated the quality of the public water supply in 42 municipalities located in the eastern region of the State of São Paulo, Brazil, from 2016 to 2020. Physical, chemical, and microbiological parameters were investigated. Sample collection, preservation and analyses were carried out in accordance with national and international standards. The results demonstrated non-compliance with Brazilian legislation for apparent color (1.1%), turbidity (0.4%), fluoride content (14.2%), total coliforms (4.4%) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) (0.4%). In a brief comparison with other studies in the southeastern region of Brazil, the highest percentage of unsatisfactory samples is due to the fact that fluorine is below the minimum of <0.6 ppm, demonstrating the need for training in the fluoridation process. The need to invest in the training of health surveillance teams to carry out field analyses (chlorine and pH) was also observed. This study can inform future actions, guiding the adoption of preventive and corrective measures and demonstrating the importance of monitoring water-supply quality.
Keywords: drinking water, public health, water quality
Access to drinking water is one of the most important factors for health. The lack of access to safe drinking water results in a high prevalence of infections, such as bacterial gastroenteritis and outbreaks of diarrhea. This study evaluated the quality of the public water supply in 42 municipalities located in the eastern region of the State of São Paulo, Brazil, from 2016 to 2020. Physical, chemical, and microbiological parameters were investigated. Sample collection, preservation and analyses were carried out in accordance with national and international standards. The results demonstrated non-compliance with Brazilian legislation for apparent color (1.1%), turbidity (0.4%), fluoride content (14.2%), total coliforms (4.4%) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) (0.4%). In a brief comparison with other studies in the southeastern region of Brazil, the highest percentage of unsatisfactory samples is due to the fact that fluorine is below the minimum of <0.6 ppm, demonstrating the need for training in the fluoridation process. The need to invest in the training of health surveillance teams to carry out field analyses (chlorine and pH) was also observed. This study can inform future actions, guiding the adoption of preventive and corrective measures and demonstrating the importance of monitoring water-supply quality.
Keywords: drinking water, public health, water quality
