Correlation of water quality to land use and slope in Arroio Doze Passos, Ouro, SC

Abstract

Water is the main factor for the development and growth of communities, especially the rural ones. The objective
of this study was to evaluate the relation of soil use and slope steepness with the water quality of the Arroio Doze Passos. This
study was conducted in the watershed Arroio Doze Passos in the Midwest region of Santa Catarina State, Southern Brazil, from
November 2004 to October 2009. This watershed has an area of 17.78 km², where intensive agriculture is developed (mainly
corn and wheat) and livestock (mainly pigs, dairy cattle and poultry). It was observed that the stream water has low quality
due the high values of total P, ortho P, turbidity, total coliform bacteria, and fecal coliforms. The main factor of poor water
quality is the presence of organic-origin manure, which is caused by land use out of its fitness ability, coupled with inadequate
management of waste, and lack of environmental planning. However, water quality, in general, improved from the stream’s
spring to its mouth.