Microbiological quality assessment of water of dairy properties of Campo Bonito, Cascavel, and Guaraniaçu - PR

Abstract

Water is considered a key element for the existence of man and needs to have a good quality. However, the general conditions of deficient sanitation are clearly reflected in the available data on mortality from waterborne diseases. The present study was aimed at evaluating the quality of the water used for the cleaning of dairy-cow teats and milking equipment on dairy farms located in the municipalities of Campo Bonito, Cascavel and Guaraniaçu, in Paraná State, Brazil. To do that, 32 samples of water, from of artesian well and sources, untreated, were taken from april/2009 through april/2010 end analysed by using the MPN (Most Probably Number) technique in the enumeration of total coliforms and E. coli, according to the Colilert method. Analysis showed that 93.75% contained total coliforms, that ranged from 2 MPN to ? 2.4.103 MPN/100 mL, and 37.5% contained E. coli, that ranged from 2 MPN to 170 MPN/100 mL. It shows that 37.5% of the samples did not meet the requirements of the Brazilian Health Ministry regulation 518/2004. Within the context, the results indicate the need for a sanitary education effort involving the rural population, coupled with the implementation of preventive measures, in order to improve the quality of the milk produced in the facilities studied.