Assessment of Water Quality in a Public Supply Source: Combined With the General Index of Human Contamination

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the water quality of the Miringuava River watershed through monitoring of chemical water quality parameters, assess the presence of Emerging Contaminants (EC) such as hormones and caffeine, and determine the General Index of Human Contamination (GIHC). Theoretical Framework: Watersheds located near urbanized areas play a crucial role in water resource management, especially when used for public supply. Due to land use and occupation, the natural dynamics of rivers, and reurbanization processes, monitoring water quality within a watershed is necessary (Pereira et al., 2021). Consequently, the social impact and effects on aquatic environments must be considered (Sekamane et al., 2023). Method: Two collections were conducted (C1 with 7 points and C2 with 16 points) upstream of the water intake station of SANEPAR to obtain water samples from the Miringuava River watershed. The methodology was defined in four stages: Definition of sampling points, sending water samples to the LEAQUA Laboratory – UTFPR, analysis of the data processed by the laboratory, and construction of the GIHC graphs. Results and Discussion: The results obtained revealed the presence of Emerging Contaminants in some water bodies in the region. Considering the hormone Estradiol (E2), which is an emerging contaminant, Ide et al., (2017) found a maximum value of 1420 ng L-1 in the Iguaçu River basin. In comparison, the values found in the Miringuava River basin were 23.14 ng L-1, indicating that the level of estradiol is considered low. Research Implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this research indicate that there are already signs of minor contamination in the water bodies of the Miringuava River basin. Such implications demonstrate the need for monitoring in the region. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the understanding and confirmation of the presence of emerging contaminants in the Miringuava River basin, which will be used for public supply. By evaluating chemical parameters and the General Index of Human Contamination, it provides important information for water quality management in the region.