Abstract
This study sought to characterize the conditions of springs used for domestic consumption and to analyze their water quality. The springs are situated in catchment areas (drainage areas) with different soil uses in rural properties of the southern plateau of Santa Catarina, Brazil. To this end, 56 springs used to supply rural properties were selected in the counties of Lages, Otacílio Costa, São José do Cerrito, Painel, and Bocaina do Sul. The water catchment area of the springs were described in detail with regard to topography, management, forest, protection, fences, channels to contain runoff, and macroscopic aspects of water. In addition, the water was analyzed for total and fecal coliforms, pH, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, temperature, clarity, and nitrate and total phenol contents. The samplings for water analysis were performed in compliance with Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Wastewater (APHA). The above parameters were evaluated under the following soil uses in the drainage areas: native forest, native grassland, planted pine forest, and cropland. Data were analyzed by comparison of means by the Student's t test (p <0.05). More than 80% of the springs were found to be contaminated with fecal coliforms. The main risk factors for microbiological contamination in the region are extensive cattle ranching and the lack of adequate protection of the springs in most properties, with emphasis on the catchment areas of native grassland and native forest. Springs in pine forest areas have the lowest mean pH and the highest phenol content.
Highlights
The availability of water, aside from playing an essential role in production, fulfills social and environmental functions
Rural properties with springs were selected based on indications of agents of technical assistance and rural extension (ATER) according to the following criteria: (a) springs used for human consumption; b) surrounded by different types of land use in the drainage areas, e.g., native forest, native grassland, cropland, and planted pine forest
We considered the space between the water source where it is collected and the highest point upstream that contributes to the source as drainage areas
Summary
The availability of water, aside from playing an essential role in production, fulfills social and environmental functions. Water is fundamental for the maintenance of life and has multiple uses, including that of human drinking water. The function of water in natural cycles ensures the ecological balance. Clean drinking water are a major cause of illness and death in developing countries (Boutilier et al, 2014). 64/292 of the United Nations General Assembly, by which clean and safe water and sanitation are acknowledged as human rights. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) warn about the danger of not investing enough in clean water and sanitation, resulting in public spending to treat diseases transmitted by contaminated water in Brazil (Menezes et al, 2009)
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