Qualidade da água no ambiente universitário: estudo de caso na Universidade Federal de Catalão

Abstract

Water is an indispensable resource for all forms of life on the planet. Access to water in adequate quantity and quality is guaranteed by the fundamental principle of human dignity. The university plays a crucial role, both in research and innovation and in the education of professionals aware of environmental issues. In this context, and to ensure safe water access for the academic community while signaling the institution's commitment to sustainable development to the broader regional society, this study aims to analyze the water quality supplied at the Federal University of Catalão – Campus I. The study characterizes key parameters based on the GM/MS Ordinance No. 888/2021, diagnosing possible causes of non-potability and proposing measures to protect water quality. To achieve this goal, physicochemical and microbiological parameters essential for assessment were analyzed, including pH, alkalinity, turbidity, conductivity, residual chlorine, hardness, and the presence of total and fecal coliforms. It was observed that turbidity, alkalinity, and hardness—although they sometimes fell below the standard during reservoir low-level periods—were generally within the required limits. However, for coliforms, chlorine, and pH, variations were identified, primarily due to lack of maintenance and cleaning of reservoirs and severe corrosion in the institution’s metallic tanks. The methodology involved characterizing the physical layout of institutional buildings to assess the presence of upper or lower reservoirs, shared storage, or the type of material used (concrete or polyethylene), the population served, and the distribution network layout within the campus. In the subsequent phase, six sampling points were defined, and water meters were installed to monitor consumption in selected buildings. The evaluations were conducted five days per week for seven weeks, totaling 210 samples analyzed. The study highlighted the importance of preventive maintenance and the need for a reassessment of architectural and hydraulic projects to ensure better accessibility to technical reservoirs and optimize the sizing of the supply network. These measures are essential to avoid excessive water detention times, thereby preserving its physicochemical and microbiological characteristics within regulatory standards.