At the edge of the river and society: water quality in a quilombola community in the state of Mato Grosso

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the quality of water consumed by families of Baixio and Morro Redondo communities, located in Vão Grande settlement, in Barra do Bugres, 150 km from the state of Mato Grossos’ capital (Brazil) through microbiological parameters. Initially, previous contact was made with the community to present the project and its objectives. For determining what water points we should collect from, a survey was made about the types of water sources used by residents for consumption. After the collection, samples were sent to the laboratory of Microbiology of the State University of Mato Grosso, Barra do Bugres campus, where they were determined by the fast-Colilert method. Contamination detected in analyzed samples, throughout the period, caused considerable concern, filth index predominated in almost 100% of the samples. Factors such as lack of basic sanitation, which can be evidenced by the inappropriate destination of solid waste and the absence of water treatment for consumption, directly influenced the results obtained. In the end of the project, the responsible team prepared a report of the results obtained by the research, which was presented to Baixio and Morro Redondo communities’ residents, along with information on accessible practices for reduction of microbiological contamination of water. We observed that contamination of hydric resources, due to lack of basic sanitation and lack of water treatment for consumption, evidences risks to collective health of these communities. Therefore, the implementation of public policies by the competent local authorities becomes a matter of paramount importance to reverse this framework. Joint interdisciplinary actions in areas of water resources management, basic sanitation, housing, and health are necessary actions to improve the quality of life of this ‘quilombola’ community.