A cross-sectional study evaluated the bacteriological and physical-chemical qualities of groundwater for human consumption in two urban areas from Feira de Santana City, State of Bahia, Brazil. A stratified sample, proportional to area and number of dwellings was taken. The results of 120 water samples analyses were evaluated according to standards set by federal legislation for drinking water in Brazil. Total coliforms were observed in 90.8% of the samples, fecal coliforms in 65.8% and more than 500 UFC/ml heterotrophic organisms, in 74.1% of the samples. Physical-chemical parameters not met by the samples were: pH (82.8% of the samples), turbidity (23.4%), chloride (12.5%) and color (7.5%). Nitrate concentration was above drinking water standards in 88.2% of the samples and ammonia in 32.7% of the cases. The high percentage of samples that did not met drinking water standards represent an important risk to the health of people who use groundwater in Feira de Santana.
Groundwater; Drinking water standards; Potability standards; Health risks
