ABSTRACT
The public-supply water can be a vehicle of disease and harm to human health, therefore, efficient treatment and constant evaluation of its quality is required. The present study aimed to evaluate the population dynamics of microbiological and physico-chemical indicators of water quality parameters at different points of a water treatment plant of the conventional type, in the distribution system and sources of supply in Jaboticabal city, São Paulo state, Brazil, in the rainy and dry seasons. The results showed that although the present fountain surface presents worse microbiological quality (compared to other sources studied) after the conventional treatment, it became potable. The rainy season was critical for samples collected in steps after adding chlorine, especially in the distribution of sub-surface source system. Among the evaluated points in the distribution network, domestic containers had the highest number of samples outside the potability standards, mainly those fueled by the sub-surface source network. Strategies to improve the treatment process of the drain water (turbidity reduction) are needed, especially during the rainy season; as well as health education programs in order to improve water quality at the point of consumption by periodic cleaning of domestic containers.
Keywords:
public-supply water; coliform; turbidity; fluoride; apparent color; free residual chlorine; drinking water
