Avaliação da qualidade da água superficial dos cursos de água do município de Pelotas-RS, Brasil

Abstract

The present work was performed in the municipality of Pelotas, RS, Brazil with the objective of evaluating water quality from the years of 1996 to 1998, in the principal waterways which pass through the municipality using the Water Quality Index of Bascarán (IQAb). It was verified that the water quality in the evaluated bodies was acceptable with the exception of the Eclusa and Santa Bárbara reservoirs, in which phosphorus is the most important pollutant. During the period of prolonged drought from 1996 to 1997, there was a reduction in the IQAb. The index also reflected the environmental status verified in the region due to intensive agriculture and the release of a large portion of domestic and industrial wastes to the waterways without previous treatment.