Water quality in Vão Grande quilombola communities, municipality of Barra do Bugres (MT)

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to analyze the quality of water consumed by residents of the communities Morro Redondo and Baixios in the Quilombola settlement in Vão Grande, municipality of Barra do Bugres, Mato Grosso, Brazil; and to analyze the potential risks to public health. The following parameters were evaluated: alkalinity, hardness, turbidity, electrical conductivity, chemical oxygen demand, pH, temperature, chlorides, calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron and potassium, in different surface sources of water supply. Results were compared with parameters that define the potability of water. Samples were collected from July 2013 to April 2014, always near the 15th day of each month. The variables alkalinity and pH presented minimum values lower than the expected; and the variables turbidity and electrical conductivity showed maximum values above the limit. In general, the evaluated water sources present good quality, not offering potential risk to health. However, for safe consumption, it is recommended at least filtration and disinfection.