Microbiological monitoring from fountains in public parks in Curitiba (PR), Brazil

ABSTRACT

Water sources in public places like parks and squares are often used by people as an alternative for available water, which might be a public health concern when there is no adequate quality for consumption. The aim of this study was to evaluate the water quality from the fountains located in three public parks in Curitiba, Paraná, Brasil. The monitoring was conducted monthly by microbiological analysis of total coliforms (TC), Escherichia coli (EC) and heterotrophic bacteria (HB) and the pH was taken, with triplicate samples during a year at three sites: Atuba Park (A), Gutierrez Park (B) and São Lourenço Park (C). The results showed TC in site A; at B it was observed the presence, at high levels, of TC (log 2.4350± 0.6730 NMP.100 mL^-1), EC (log 1.0890±0.6327 NMP.100 mL^-1) and HB (log 1.9170±0.6920 UFC.mL^-1), significant differences among sampling periods were not observed (p>0.05). It was observed that in the rainy season the condition of water portability decreased in all evaluated sites with a significant increase in TC, followed by increasing of HB, suggesting infiltration in the channeled sources. The presence of E. coli in site B suggests wastewater pollution, which can endanger the health people consuming the available water in the taps.

Keywords:
food safety; hygiene; environment; microbiology indicators; water; fountains