WATER QUALITY EVALUATION OF TWO DAMS AND ONE LAKE IN THE ILHA SOLTEIRA TOWN (SP)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the water quality in the Lagoinha and Ipê reservoirs and Pedreira Lake, water bodies that were introduced in the city limits of Ilha Solteira during the period of July, 2004, to March, 2005.Based on Water Quality Rate findings and correlation analyses and seasonality of the combined physical, chemical, and biological parameters collected in the field, it was found that the effects of the main anthropic activities (irrigated agriculture and watering of livestock) in the area surrounding these bodies of water provoked an increase in the levels of fertilizer factors (phosphorous and nitrogen) as well as concentrations of total coliforms. Strong evidence was also detected, via “in loco” observations, of degradation of the riparian zones of the three bodies of water, noted mainly through the occurrence of silting in areas near their outlets and soil erosion on the banks, as well as the complete lack of ciliary vegetation.