Monitoramento microbiológico de águas de parques e bolsões urbanos utilizando indicadores de contaminação fecal

Abstract

The management of urban water resources, including parks and stormwater drainage systems like retention basins, is essential to mitigate epidemiological risks in urban matrices. This study aimed to characterize and evaluate the occurrence of Staphylococcus spp. and the fecal contamination indicator Escherichia coli in water bodies from public parks and retention basins within the urban perimeter of Uberlândia, MG. An experimental study was conducted, collecting 28 samples across 10 strategic points during three sampling campaigns (December 2025 and March 2026). The samples underwent bacterial isolation using selective and differential media (Mannitol Salt Agar, Baird-Parker Agar, and EMB Agar). None of the isolated colonies confirmed the presence of Staphylococcus aureus. However, microbiological analyses revealed coliform contamination in 15 samples, with the presence of Escherichia coli confirmed in 40% of the monitored sites (points B, C, H, and I). A significant increase in bacterial load was observed during periods of rainfall, particularly at point H, which exhibited substantially higher (1,000,000 CFU) in the retention basins. The data demonstrate that recreational water bodies and stormwater retention structures in the city act as reservoirs for microorganisms indicative of fecal contamination. These findings represent a public health alert for the local community and highlight the urgent need for improvements in sanitation infrastructure, physical fencing, and environmental protection of these areas.