Water quality for triathlon and open water swimming competitions in Brazilian freshwaters

In high-performance competitive activities, there can be intense and prolonged exposure to water during swimming components of the competition. Therefore, water quality assessments with reference to standards are desirable to ensure athletes’ health. We evaluated whether the official criteria established for primary contact recreation in Brazilian freshwaters (CONAMA Directive 274/2000), and an integrated index of bathing conditions in Brazil (ICB), are consistent with the water quality standards stipulated by the International Triathlon Union (ITU). The water quality of Lake of Ingleses, an important venue for triathlon and open water swimming near Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, was assessed between 2003 and 2019. Results for E. coli, cyanobacteria density, and pH were favorable for contact recreation and competitions at the lake. Of the variables considered, only turbidity, used as a proxy indicator of visual water clarity, was unsuitable during part of the monitoring period. The ICB agreed with the ITU standards for Very Good and Excellent quality classes and is recommended as a tool for screening sites considered for competitions in Brazilian freshwaters. However, the Brazilian national criteria for contact recreation only present standards for E. coli and pH, which is insufficient coverage of attributes affecting primary contact suitability of water in high-performance sports activities.

Water quality assessment for balneability at Porto Real Beach in the municipality of Porto Nacional – TO / Avaliação da qualidade da água para a balneabilidade na Praia Real do Porto no município do Porto Nacional – TO

Water is an indispensable asset for humankind. Although it is renewable, it is finite, that is, it is exhaustible. Due to the need and the quantity of water for the development and progress of human activities, there is a significant increase in water consumption year after year in Brazil. Bathing is an instrument for checking the parameters that determine whether the water of a particular beach is of good quality for primary contact recreation. The objective of the research project was to verify the water quality of the artificial bathing beach of Porto Real, in the city of Porto Nacional in the state of Tocantins. This project prioritized the bathing water for use by the local population. The methodology to be employed will rely on an experimental research, according to Colilert's technique, and also according to the methodology adopted by Standard Methods (APHA 2005), with analysis of primary and secondary water quality data. The monitoring information was carried out in partnership with the Federal Institute of Science and Technology of Tocantins - IFTO. The results showed satisfactory E. coli and pH values for the Porto Real Beach bathing resort, according to parameters established in the CONAMA Resolution No. 274/2000.

Diagnosis of the balneability conditions of Beira Rio beach in the municipality of Porto Nacional, Tocantins

The Tocantins River has great water resources and it has been highly sought after for recreational activity, and it is highlighted for the beautiful beaches that are formed in its extension. It is important to remember that primary contact recreation and leisure activities have a specific criterion of sanitary safety for the purpose of balneability. This study evaluated the water quality of Beira Rio Beach in Porto Nacional - Tocantins. Microbiological analyses were performed using the indicators of the total coliform group and Escherichia coli (E. coli). The results of the monitoring were checked with the parameters established for balneability purposes defined by CONAMA Resolution No 274/00. The Colilert technique was used for detections and confirmatory identifications of total coliforms and E. coli. Low concentrations of E. coli were proven, which allowed the final classification in the category of 'excellent', according to CONAMA Resolution No. 274/00. Therefore, the waters of Beira Rio Beach, in the period of analysis and collection of samples, based on the indicator of bacteria of the E. coli group, were found within the accepted standards for balneability (primary contact recreation).

Qualidade da água de um parque urbano em Teresina, PI

A urbanização é um dos principais fatores de degradação dos recursos hídricos. Este trabalho analisou a qualidade da água de uma microbacia urbana drenada por um canal e duas lagoas, que compõem o paisagismo do Parque Ambiental Lagoas do Norte, em Teresina-PI. A qualidade das águas foi determinada mensalmente no período de novembro de 2017 a outubro de 2018 em seis pontos de monitoramento. Interpretou-se os resultados frente ao Índice de Qualidade da Água (IQA) e aos limites estabelecidos pela Resolução CONAMA 357/2005, considerando os aspectos de precipitação, demografia, infraestrutura sanitária e de uso e ocupação do solo. Os pontos de coleta foram agrupados por meio da análise hierárquica quanto à similaridade das variáveis de qualidade da água. A microbacia apresenta elevado percentual de área construída, baixa porcentagem de áreas verdes e ampla cobertura de rede esgoto. A qualidade da água das lagoas foi superior à do canal, apresentando melhor conformidade com legislação e maiores valores de IQA. A variação da qualidade da água entre as estações chuvosa (janeiro-maio) e seca (junho-dezembro) foi mais significativa em relação as variáveis Escherchia coli, fósforo total, turbidez, pH, sólidos totais e nitrato total. A análise hierárquica permitiu a associação dos pontos monitorados em três grupos distintos, consoante a interpretação da qualidade da água. O monitoramento contínuo da qualidade das águas destas lagoas se torna importante a fim de verificar a sua adequabilidade para diversos usos, em especial para recreação de contato secundário, considerando o potencial turístico e de lazer da região.Water quality of an urban park in Teresina, PI A B S T R A C TUrbanization is one of the main factors that degrade water resources. This study aimed to analyze the water quality of an urban microbasin drained by a canal and two pond that compose the landscaping of the Lagoas do Norte Environmental Park, in Teresina PI. Water quality was determined monthly from November 2017 to October 2018 at six monitoring points. The results were interpreted in relation to the Water Quality Index (WQI) and the limits established by Resolution CONAMA 357/2005, considering the aspects of precipitation, demography, sanitary infrastructure, land use and occupation. The collection points were grouped by hierarchical analysis regarding the similarity of water quality variables. The microbasin presents a high percentage of built area, low percentage of green areas and wide coverage of sewage network. The water quality of the ponds is superior of the canal, presenting better compliance with legislation and higher WQI values. The variation in water quality between the rainy (January-May) and dry (June-December) seasons was more significant in relation to the variables Escherchia coli, total phosphorus, turbidity, pH, total solids and total nitrate. The hierarchical analysis allowed the association of the monitored points in three distinct groups, consonant to the interpretation of water quality. Continuous monitoring of the quality of the water in these lagoons becomes important in order to verify their suitability for various uses, especially for secondary contact recreation, considering the region's tourist and leisure potential.Keywords: Water Quality Index. Use and occupation of soil. Urban microbasin.

Anthropogenic markers for source tracking of fecal contamination in Bayou Lafourche: a major drinking water source in Southeast Louisiana, USA

Bayou Lafourche, which is the sole drinking water source for 300,000 people in Louisiana, has failed to consistently meet its designated use criteria set by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ). This resulted in a total maximum daily load to be imposed on the Bayou by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These designated use water quality criteria include fecal coliform (FC) levels for drinking water source, primary contact recreation, and secondary contact recreation. The goal of this study was to identify and enumerate anthropogenic nonpoint source FC contamination from malfunctioning home sewage systems in the Bayou's watershed. Thirty-four sites along the Bayou were selected for the study. Samples were analyzed for optical brightener ratios, FC CFU/100 mL (mFC), Escherichia coli, and three human markers, including human polyomavirus BK, the Archaeon Methanobrevibacter smithii, and the human-associated Brevibacterioides HF 183 eubacteria. Frequencies of sites with all three anthropogenic molecular markers are considered positive for human fecal contamination. This study provided data to address the problem of malfunctioning on-site sewage systems in the Bayou Lafourche watershed.

Stormflow-dominated loads of faecal pollution from an intensively dairy-farmed catchment

Rainstorms can flush large amounts of faecal pollution from land sources into water bodies, threatening, particularly, contact recreation and bivalve shellfish harvest. We quantified the faecal pollution loads of stormflows in the Toenepi Stream, draining a catchment in intensive dairy-farming (Waikato Region, New Zealand). In this stream, as is typical, E. coli concentration peaks well ahead of flow on storm flow hydrographs, which complicates calculation of loads. However, stormflow E. coli concentration correlates with turbidity in the Toenepi Stream, so we used a continuously-recording turbidimeter to estimate ‘continuous’ E. coli concentrations and thence E. coli fluxes (cfu/s) and loads (cfu). E. coli was measured on 25 out of the 30 (83%) of storm events occurring in the Toenepi Stream in a 12-month period, using an automatic sampler sampling every 2 hrs over stormflow hydrographs for microbial analysis (within 48 hr). E. coli (cfu) yield on individual events tended to increase systematically with event size. The sum of storm-flow exports (occurring 24% of total time) amounted to 95% of the total annual E. coli export from the Toenepi Catchment. The stream exported about 6% of the (expected) total E. coli production in cattle faeces within the catchment.

Quantitative Evaluation of the Impact of Bather Density on Levels of Human-Virulent Microsporidian Spores in Recreational Water

ABSTRACT Microsporidial gastroenteritis, a serious disease of immunocompromised people, can have a waterborne etiology. During summer months, samples of recreational bathing waters were tested weekly for human-virulent microsporidian spores and water quality parameters in association with high and low bather numbers during weekends and weekdays, respectively. Enterocytozoon bieneusi spores were detected in 59% of weekend (n = 27) and 30% of weekday (n = 33) samples, and Encephalitozoon intestinalis spores were concomitant in a single weekend sample; the overall prevalence was 43%. The numbers of bathers, water turbidity levels, prevalences of spore-positive samples, and concentrations of spores were significantly higher for weekend than for weekday samples; P values were <0.001, <0.04, <0.03, and <0.04, respectively. Water turbidity and the concentration of waterborne spores were significantly correlated with bather density, with P values of <0.001 and <0.01, respectively. As all water samples were collected on days deemed acceptable for bathing by fecal bacterial standards, this study reinforces the scientific doubt about the reliability of bacterial indicators in predicting human waterborne pathogens. The study provides evidence that bathing in public waters can result in exposure to potentially viable microsporidian spores and that body contact recreation in potable water can play a role in the epidemiology of microsporidiosis. The study indicates that resuspension of bottom sediments by bathers resulted in elevated turbidity values and implies that the microbial load from both sediments and bathers can act as nonpoint sources for the contamination of recreational waters with Enterocytozoon bieneusi spores. Both these mechanisms can be considered for implementation in predictive models for contamination with microsporidian spores.