Abstract
Abstract Low quality drinking water has been directly correlated to the occurrence of waterborne illnesses in northern Brazil. To minimize health risks related to the water supply, the Ministry of Health has proposed the implementation of the National Program for the Surveillance of Drinking Water Quality (VIGIAGUA) in Brazilian municipalities. Focusing on the Legal Amazon region, the present study demonstrates a historical account of the percentage of municipalities included in the VIGIAGUA program in place, which in 2013 reached 45.1% of the region municipalities. This study also identifies vulnerable areas in terms of the water quality in the states of Amapá, Amazonas and Maranhão. With this analysis of the current status of the drinking water supply, this study intends to support and direct the strategic efforts of environmental health monitoring in the region.
Highlights
Water is one of the greatest concerns on the planet regarding its preponderant uses, preservation, and as a resource for all of mankind in terms of adequate quantity and quality of supply for human consumption
This study aimed to evaluate the degree of implementation of VIGIAGUA in the municipalities that compose the Legal Amazon region, as well as analyze the data on drinking water, and to evaluate vulnerable areas in order to subsidize and offer direct strategic action for the monitoring of environmental health in this region
Upon analyzing the percentage of municipalities with the water quality surveillance in deployment (Figure 2), the Legal Amazon region had less than 50% of the municipalities with VIGIAGUA in place in 2013, despite having increased registrations of the sources of water
Summary
Water is one of the greatest concerns on the planet regarding its preponderant uses, preservation, and as a resource for all of mankind in terms of adequate quantity and quality of supply for human consumption. According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), water and the human health are inseparable[2] since the poor quality of drinking water is directly related to diseases and/or waterborne illnesses caused by bacteria, viruses, protozoa and helminthes. VIGIAGUA aims to develop efforts to ensure that Brazilian citizens have access to water in sufficient quantity and quality and compatible with drinking water standards established by the current legislation (Federal Law number 2.914/2011) as an integral part of the waterborne illnesses prevention and the promotion of health as established by SUS4. The term surveillance presupposes frequent and continuous evaluation of several factors in order to identifying potential human health risks and guide intervention and control actions, assuming a routine and preventive character[5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
