ANÁLISE DA ÁGUA PARA CONSERVAÇÃO DA REPRESA BILLINGS

Abstract

The quality of water in the Billings reservoir has been the subject of several studies, which has worried researchers in the last decade, and this is mainly due to the population's occupations in precarious conditions around the arms of the dam. Furthermore, illegal disposal in Billings waters also harms its aquatic biota, harming public health, as Billings water is used to supply the metropolitan region of São Paulo. To publicize this problem to society, we developed a social action with the residents of the Municipality of Diadema with the aim of disseminating studies on the water quality of the Billings dam with content on the preservation legislation in force in the state and showing ways to make the water safe for consumption. Water samples were collected, together with biologist Marta, in the Grota Funda branch of Billings and analysis of the results in the laboratory provided by the Municipal University of São Caetano do Sul where the presence of contaminating microorganisms such as E. Coli was found. After carrying out these analyses, the results of the research were publicized through leafleting and the distribution of water bottles at the Diadema butterfly garden. In this awareness raising campaign, the phrase “If you take care of the water you drink from the bottle, you can also help take care of the water that supplies the municipalities of ABC” was placed on the label of water bottles and a QR code was inserted in the pamphlets that took citizens to a page where it was possible for them to acquire knowledge about the legislation that aims to protect the dam. Through the action developed, we realized the concern of most people with water quality, as it is an extremely important topic and closely linked to the lives of residents and there is a lack of access to information for people who live and depend on the dam. Billings, demonstrating the importance of the project carried out to disseminate content and promote a sense of preservation of water resources.