This work aimed to assess the efficacy and the water contamination possibility of a particular type of air-removal equipment, made of polypropylene. Its functioning was analysed at nine different consumption points in the city of Juiz de Fora, MG, there being recurrent complaints from consumers about constant interruptions in water supply. The field work had a duration of 11 months. In order to assess the efficacy of the equipment, a new sawhorse was installed in a row with the water connection sawhorse. The new sawhorse was composed of two hydrometers, with the air-removal equipment between them. Having compared the consumption levels recorded by the two hydrometers at the points, it was founded a variation ranging from + 4.51% to -2.02 %. The obtained results may state that the use of the air-removal equipment in Juiz de Fora did not cause any significant beneficial effect as far as consumers are concerned. However, 91% of the tested air-removal equipments showed possibility of water contamination.
Efficacy; contamination; water; air-removal equipment; intermittence
