Groundwater quality in the city of Pau dos Ferros-RN

Abstract

Groundwater in the municipality of Pau dos Ferros is increasingly exploited for residential supply, as well as for local trade and animal feed. The demand for water, due to the long drought that rains, raises a concern about the future of water resources. However, the population makes its exploration in a disorderly way without worrying about the quantity and quality of these waters, since the recharge of these sources is not happening due to the drought of rains and the increase of the concentration of minerals and other solids in the wells of which can limit its multiple uses and cause future disease in the population. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the groundwater quality in the city of Pau dos Ferros-RN, where water samples were collected from 18 tubular wells in the urban area of the city, and physical and chemical parameters were analyzed in the Federal Rural University of the Semi-Arid. The results of the analyzes showed the occurrence of wells with high calcium and magnesium contents, thus increasing the electrical conductivity, water hardness and consequently leaving it brackish. As for spatial distribution, well 12 located in the district of São Judas Tadeu presented the highest levels of calcium and magnesium salts. The bodies responsible for groundwater management should promote management policies and awareness of these resources in order to promote their rational use.