Web application for water quality characterization

Abstract

In view of the current scenario of water resources, water quality indexes (WQI´s) are appropriate tools to communicate, to the general public, the water quality of surface and groundwater sources. Indexes are mathematical formulations that aggregate parameters that summarize information into a number, allowing the non-technical public to read it easily. Over the years, several expressions of IQAs have been developed, many with rigidity in the choice of quality indicator parameters and/or with limitations in the applicable geographic region. A Water Quality Index (e-IQUAS) was developed that allows the choice of parameters flexibly, without limit on the number of variables, and can be applied to multiple uses of water. To allow its unrestricted use to society, free software tools were developed: a web application, friendly and easy to use, and a social network for the dissemination of information on the topic. The application has been tested, verified, and is available on the world wide web. The work, therefore, contributes to disseminating the use of the e-IQUAS water quality index, which is easy to apply and adaptable to any region or water storage.