MICROBIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF WATER FOR ANIMAL DRINKING IN RURAL PROPERTIES IN THE NOVA ALTA PAULISTA REGION – SP

Abstract

Water is an essential input for animal health and productivity, playing a fundamental role in feeding, thermal regulation, and nutrient transport. However, on family-based farms, the quality of water used for animal consumption often receives insufficient attention, potentially compromising livestock production and public health. This study aimed to evaluate the microbiological quality of water used for animal watering on ten farms in the Nova Alta Paulista region of São Paulo, from March 2024 to February 2025, through laboratory analyses and field observations conducted as part of a university extension project. Samples were collected from wells and troughs and subjected to the multiple tube technique to determine the most probable number (MPN) of total and thermotolerant coliforms. The results revealed the presence of coliforms in nine of 10 wells and eight of 10 troughs, with two farms presenting values ​​above the legal limit for thermotolerant coliforms. Furthermore, water treatment was found on all properties, and drinking fountains were not properly sanitized. The conclusion is that the water used poses risks to animal health and can act as a vehicle for the transmission of pathogens, reinforcing the need for preventive management and awareness-raising measures. Extension work proved crucial for disseminating appropriate hygiene practices and safe water use, promoting sanitary and productive improvements in rural areas.