Caracterização da qualidade da água subterrânea – estudo de caso no Município de Cruz das Almas – Bahia

Abstract

The consumption of water obtained from alternative sources, mainly from shallow excavated wells and artesian wells, has grown a lot due to the scarcity of good quality water in surface sources. This work aimed to evaluate the quality of groundwater exploited in private wells located in the INOCOOP neighborhood, in the municipality of Cruz das Almas (BA), using as support laboratory analyzes of physical, chemical and bacteriological parameters that characterize the quality of the resource. The research also aimed to identify the main uses of these waters and the reasons for opting for this type of supply, based on interviews carried out with users and owners of private wells. From the analyzes it was possible to conclude that the waters exploited from the wells studied are in disagreement with the recommendations of the potability ordinance in force in Brazil, so that their use, for noble purposes, may pose risks to human health. The research also revealed that groundwater is used for human consumption and that the majority of users opted for this solution due to dissatisfaction with the services provided by the collective supply system concessionaire.