Assessing the quality of the water supply in the agrarian reform settlement of Canudos, State of Goiás

Abstract

This study evaluated the quality of the water used by the agrarian reform settlement of Canudos, located in Goiás State, considering water supply sources, consumption sites (taps), well construction conditions and the presence of possible contamination sources. Locations were chosen randomly with at least one sample from each sub-basin in the settlement. Thirty-five samples of water were analyzed in 35 land lots (10.6% of total) considering the parameters of E. coli, turbidity, apparent color, pH, and electrical conductivity (EC). The study also identified and assessed the types of water supply used as well as compliance with construction standards and conservation efforts. The representativeness of the samples was analyzed considering their quantity, quality, and the sampling error. The results showed that 77.1% of the population use shallow wells, 20% mini wells and 2.9% springs. E. coli was found in 85.71% of all water supply sources; with the greatest concentration in shallow wells with bad structural and inadequate sanitation conditions. The analyses showed that the quality of water consumed by the population of the agrarian reform settlement needs considerable improvement.

rural area; small communities; water treatment