Tecnologias sociais, conhecimentos e práticas associadas ao uso da água em assentamento rural na Amazônia Central

Abstract

The Amazon region holds the largest freshwater reserve on the Planet. Nonetheless, the lack of sanitation and proper water treatment, especially in rural areas, have been the cause of environmental and health issues. In rural isolated settlements, communities usually withdraw water from shallow wells, and water quality is a common concern. In those settlements, where there are fewer options for water treatment, social technologies are commonly used for water supply. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and perception of women about the quality of sources and to assess the use of “simple diffusion chlorinators” as an alternative method for water treatment. The samples were taken from shallow wells, before and after the installation of the chlorinators, in the Rio Pardo rural settlement, in Presidente Figueiredo, Amazonas, Brazil. The water from the wells was inadequate for human consumption before the treatment, with high contamination levels by termotolerant coliforms. In most cases, chlorinators reduced contamination to zero. Also, they were widely accepted by the dwellers because it did not alter taste to consumed water and was considered of low-cost and an easy maintenance.