Occurrence of Escherichia coli in water sources and point-of-use in a semi-arid rural community in Brazil

  • Rosane Barbosa Lopes Cavalcante Instituto de Pesquisas Hidráulicas (IPH / UFRGS)
Keywords: Escherichia coli, rural sanitation, water supply

Abstract

In low-income rural areas with a low education level, it is not uncommon that local environmental problems associated with water quality are unknown to the population. This contributes to a high incidence of water-related diseases. This paper aimed to analyze the presence of Escherichia coli in different water supply sources and point-of-use in the community of Olho d'Água Grande, in the semi-arid region of Alagoas, Brazil. The results showed that all the analyzed water sources in the community did not meet potability standards. Contamination verified inside the residences, improper storage in the residences, and the absence of disinfection measures underscore the importance of additional interventions besides structural improvement of the water supply system.

Author Biography

Rosane Barbosa Lopes Cavalcante, Instituto de Pesquisas Hidráulicas (IPH / UFRGS)
Possui graduação em Engenharia Civil pela Universidade Federal de Alagoas (2008) e mestrado em Recursos Hídricos e Saneamento Ambiental pela Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (2011). Atualmente é doutoranda do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Recursos Hídricos e Saneamento Ambiental do Instituto de Pesquisas Hidráulicas (IPH/UFRGS) e professora da Faculdade de Tecnologia de Porto Alegre. Tem experiência na área de Engenharia Civil, com ênfase em Gestão de Recursos Hídricos, Gestão Ambiental e Hidrologia.
Published
29/08/2014
Section
Papers