ALTERNATIVE OF RAINWATER CATCHMENT’S: WATER QUALITY STORED IN CISTERNS AND STONES TANKS

Abstract

Low rainfall associated with high spatial and temporal irregularity in the semiarid Paraiba is mainly responsible for water insecurity. Before this, we tried to estimate the potential of rainwater catchment’s and the quality of stored water in the natural tanks, the site Olho d’água, Pocinhos, PB, and in the cisterns, in the rural zone of Barra de São Miguel, being those determinations the main objectives. Monthly rainfall series of the respective places, given in by the Executive Agency of Administration of the Waters of Paraiba, were analyzed using statistical climatologically criteria, established the rainfall patterns and volumes of rain water catchment’s. The water quality analyses on cisterns and tanks stones were established in agreement with the Entrance nº518/04 of ministry of Health. The main results indicated that rainfall patterns is irregular, asymmetrical and the potential of rainwater catchment’s is the main water alternative to the semi-arid Northeastern. The indicators of quality of the water stored in the tanks of stones and in the cisterns they were larger than the established values for the Entrance of the Mystery of the Health and, therefore, they are not drinkable. Furthermore, most of the water (of the cisterns) is contaminated with heterotrophic bacteria.