WELL WATER QUALITY IN THE COMMUNITY OF ILHA DE LENÇÓIS, CURURUPU – MA: MICROBIOLOGICAL AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL ASSESSMENT

Abstract

Water is essential for life and human health and is widely used in various daily activities. However, its quality can be compromised by pollution and the lack of sanitation infrastructure, increasing the risk of Waterborne Diseases (WBD). Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the quality of well water used for supply in the community of Ilha dos Lençóis, Cururupu–MA, Brazil, through physicochemical and microbiological analyses. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the samples were performed. Microbiological results indicated widespread contamination, with 100% positivity for total coliforms and Escherichia coli, confirmed by the COLItest® method. Regarding physicochemical parameters, temperature ranged from 29.4 to 30.1 °C, pH from 6.4 to 7.0, electrical conductivity from 61.9 to 219 µS/cm, salinity from 0.07 to 0.32 ppt, dissolved oxygen from 2.6 to 5.2 mg/L, total dissolved solids from 74.9 to 309 ppm, total hardness from 80.00 to 108.00 mg/L as CaCO₃, chlorides from 0.02 to 0.08 mg/L, and free CO₂ from 1.67 to 4.00 mg/L. Although the physicochemical parameters were within the limits established by current legislation, microbiological contamination indicates potential public health risks, highlighting the need for actions to improve sanitation and water supply conditions in the community.