Quality of water for human consumption in public schools in Maceió, Alagoas

Abstract

The study evaluated the microbiological quality of water for human consumption in teaching units of the municipal public network in Maceió, Alagoas, and verified the hygienic-sanitary conditions of their water tanks and piping systems. This is an observational and descriptive study, carried out in 20 educational units supplied by artesian wells. Water samples were collected from the artesian well and the unit's kitchen faucet. The water quality was evaluated by the test of total coliforms and E. coli, based on the presence/absence of Colilert substrate, and classified as “acceptable” or “unacceptable”. The hygienic-sanitary conditions of the pipes and tanks were evaluated based on a checklist. In 50% of the teaching units, the water quality was unacceptable. Regarding hygienic-sanitary conditions, 73.7% of the units complied with current legislation with regard to structure, hygiene and coating material. However, in 95.0%, the cleaning of the water tanks had not been carried out as recommended by federal legislation; consequently there was a lack of records of the procedures performed. These schools risk transmission of waterborne and foodborne diseases from the water that is used to prepare beverages and food for the schoolchildren. Therefore, it is important to adopt effective measures to control and monitor water quality in order to correct the situation found in these schools.