Metodologia para priorização do controle e monitoramento da qualidade das águas, como ferramenta para gestão de recursos hídricos

Abstract

The methodology is based on the combination of the main environmental pressures with the resultant information from mathematical water quality models. For each stretch of the watershed, the iteration of these aspects indicates the priority level for the monitoring and control of the water quality, where the highest level reveals the greater need for implementation of fast results (short/medium term) specific monitoring and control routines, and the lower levels suggests that the activities can be planned in a simplified and less urgent way. The methodology was tested through a case study at the Piabanha river watershed and it was possible to verify that the regions situated next to the river spring and the initial/half stretch of the watershed have higher priority levels, where the monitoring and control actions must be atended by short and medium term measures, specially regarding to the control of diffuse pollutant loads and the main tributaries of the watershed, as the Quitandinha, das Araras, Santo Antônio and Preto rivers. The last stretch of the Piabanha river watershed, until the disembogue on the Paraíba do Sul river, has medium to low priority levels and should be contemplated only after the execution of the planned actions for the stretchs of higher priority levels, where the effects of these actions are prioritary and essential. The results of this methodology can support environmental protection and recovery actions, and also sanitary/industrial pollution control programs for the region, aiming at the guarantee of the current and future uses.