Qualidade da água e uso e cobertura do solo em bacias contribuintes do Lago de Furnas (MG): implicações na balneabilidade

Abstract

Water is a natural, renewable and finite resource, essential for the development and maintenance of various forms of life, as well as for human activities, such as human supply, irrigation, landscape harmony and leisure. However, the generation of pollutants, due to the different types of land use, can impair water quality, making its multiple uses unfeasible. Contact recreational activities in waters that do not comply with its requirements, may cause damage to human health and, consequently, increase pressure and expenses on health services. In addition, the deterioration of water quality in recreational aquatic environments can significantly impact the local economy. In this context, Lake Furnas, located in the southern region of the state of Minas Gerais, consists of one of the largest artificial reservoirs for hydroelectric energy generation in the country, playing a considerable role in tourist attractiveness and regional economic dynamics. However, there is a lack of a monitoring program for bathing conditions in the lake. To this end, this work aims to assess the implications of land cover and use on the recreational water quality of Lake Furnas, aiming to contribute to the safety and well-being of its users. Official water monitoring data from the state of Minas Gerais were analysed, for key variables for contact recreational assessment (E. coli, pH, Turbidity and Density of Cyanobacteria), between 2008 and 2018. Results of the contributing basins indicates that the uses around the lake, mainly agriculture, livestock and the release of raw sewage impacted, especially E. coli concentrations, and consequently, in its compliance with contact recreational standards. The research suggests the development and application of a monitoring and communication program for the bathing conditions of Lake Furnas. There is also the need for an effective articulation between water resources management instruments and municipal urban planning in contributing basins, in order to ensure the water multiple uses and the regional economic dynamics.