The evaluation of water quality index (WQI) and mean trophic state index (mTSI) may be useful for management and administration projects of water systems. Quality of water from the stream Rico micro-basin that supplies the town of Jaboticabal - SP, Brazil, with fresh water has been evaluated, using WQI and mTSI. Collects were undertaken between September 2007 and August 2008, at three sites: a) one of the sources, b) after the Sewage Treatment Stations of Monte Alto city, and c) in the abstraction of water for public supply of Jaboticabal. It was analyzed the physical, chemical and microbiological variables of the water: temperature, pH, BOD5, total nitrogen, total phosphorous, turbidity, total residue, dissolved oxygen, orthophosphate and chlorophyll-a. According to the results, it was concluded: (a) the anthropic activities developed in the neighborhood of the Rico Stream reduces the quality of the water during different times of the year; (b) the average values of WQI in three points analyzed showed a direct relationship with the average values of mTSI, but there was more discrimination of water quality by mTSI, identifying different trophic degrees for points and periods of sampling; (c) the WQI showed better differentiation of water quality in dry period and the mTSI showed better differentiations in the rainy season; (d) the natural depuration and the confluence of the Tijuco Stream with the Rico Stream contribute to better water quality, making it suitable for urban supply after conventional treatment.
hydrographic basin; eutrophization; microbiology; physical and chemical variables
