MICROBIOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL EVALUATION OF THE WATER TABLE WELLS USED FOR HUMAN DRINKING, ALTA FLORESTA, MT, BRAZIL

Water is essential for the existence and well-being of humanity and should be of good quality to ensure the maintenance of life. The present work aim to determine the quality of the well water used for human consumption. The physical-chemical and microbiological analysis (turbidity, pH, residual chlorine, total coliforms and Escherichia coli) were carried out according to the Government directive MS 518/2004 of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. The samples have been carried out in February, 2008. The neighborhoods of Alta Floresta were divided into three sections. In each section were collected 20 samples. The pH of most samples was less than 6.0, disagreeing with the Brazilian directive. There was no free chlorine residual in the samples. Color and turbidity showed values (< 15μH and < 5,0 uT, respectively) according to Brazilian directive. The total coliform and Escherichia coli were found in all samples. According to the microbiological analysis, all samples were classified as inappropriate for human consumption.