Tratamento alternativo de água para abastecimento em comunidades rurais difusas da região do semiárido

Abstract

This dissertation addresses the topic of Water Treatment by Double Layer Slow Sand Filter and Water Safety. I’ve selected the research problem on how the alternative process of water treatment by slow filtration with sand can improve the quality of life through the availability of treated water for communities living in the rural areas of the municipality of Jaguarari, located in the semi-arid region of Bahia. The research questions were as follows: (a) why the rural community living in the municipality of Jaguarari in the semiarid region of Bahia does not have access to treated water and may have put their health at risk? (b) how can the alternative water treatment by slow sand filtering contribute to offer treated water to the diffuse rural community living in the municipality of Jaguarari in the semi-arid region of Bahia? (c) What are the ideal conditions to install the alternative water treatment system by slow sand filter? (d) Does the community inhabiting the Pilar district have difficulties to operate and monitor the water treatment system by slow sand filter? The research had as specific objectives: to systematize the reasons for the nonavailability of treated water to the rural community of the Pilar District, municipality of Jaguarari- BA; to describe the process of water treatment by slow sand filter suitable for the rural community of the Pilar District; to analyze the difficulties of the operation and monitoring of the water treatment system by slow sand filter; to present the processes of water treatment by slow filter for the rural community of the Pilar District, which does not have treated water for consumption. We opted for qualitative research and case study in the execution of this dissertation, using semi-structured interviews, field diary, and informal conversation as instruments of data collection. The data analysis shows that the residents of the Pilar district did not have access to untreated water causing frequent diarrhea caused by pathogenic microorganisms. This scenario started to change with the implementation of the "Alternative Water Treatment Project by Double Slow Filtration" by Codevasf and in partnership with APRA III. When the residents started to consume treated water, they noticed that infectious diseases and diarrhea caused by drinking untreated water no longer occurred. It is also evident the effectiveness of the treatment system and its easy installation.