Social Technologies for living with the semiarid: use of cisterns in rural communities in Ceara (Brazil)

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the use of household cisterns and how this technology has contributed to improve the living conditions of the population in the rural communities of Cajazeirinha and Minador, located in Ipaumirim, Ceará state. The study was based on data collection through interviews and questionnaires in August 2019. To assess water quality, water samples were collected from the cisterns and from the main well Cacimbão to perform physicochemical and microbiological analyzes. For the physicochemical analysis the pH, conductivity, total solids, chloride and hardness were verified. Microbiological analysis showed the presence or absence of total coliforms at 30 ° C and 45 ° C in a series of three: 10 ml; 1 ml and 0.1 ml. Petri dish replication was used to identify the presence or absence of Escherichia Coli. According to the results of the physicochemical analysis water has a quality considered within potability standards and microbiological analysis detected a low presence of total coliforms, as well as the absence of E. Coli. The study population consists of 26 families, a total of 97. According to the result of the investigation, it was concluded that the implementation of social programs of public policies in the region, in fact, has benefited the population to mitigate water scarcity in the drought periods. The implementation of household cisterns considerably improved the population's quality of life, and everyone in the community was satisfied with the use of this social technology.