RISK ASSESSMENT TO HEALTH ASSOCIATED TO WATER QUALITY FOR HUMAN SUPPLY OF CAMPINA GRANDE CITY, PARAÍBA STATE, BRAZIL

Abstract

This paper describes a water quality risk assessment based on the application of Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) methodology conducted at the water distribution network of Campina Grande city, Paraíba state, northern Brazil. Both sentinel indicators — free residual chlorine (FRC) and turbidity — and four auxiliary indicators — combined residual chlorine (CRC), color, pH and heterotrophic bacteria — were analyzed in water samples collected at eight monitoring points throughout the distribution network. Based on data of all these water quality indicators, six of these points were classified as low risk and two as moderate risk ones, but, considering only the sentinel indicators, three points were classified as low risk, three as negligible risk, one as moderate risk and one as high risk, being these indicators considered as performing better methodological adequacy. The absence of FRC in the high-risk point was the main factor for such a classification.