Avaliação do sistema de monitoramento de água na bacia hidrográfica do rio Incomati

Abstract

Activities carried out in a river basin directly influence the quantity and quality of water, as well as the health of ecosystems and the availability of their environmental services. Currently, the preservation of ecosystems and the services they provide has been the focus of numerous research projects, in response to growing environmental concerns. Water monitoring systems in river basins are fundamental to ensuring the sustainable use of water resources and the protection of ecosystems. The Incomáti River basin, in turn, presents a vast area, composed of several tributaries and characterized by intense human activities, such as agriculture, extraction of aggregates, livestock farming, hydroelectric power generation, and urban waste disposal. This work aimed to study the water quality monitoring mechanisms in the Incomáti river basin. From this analysis, the study sought to evaluate the monitoring system currently in place, comparing it with other systems implemented in similar river basins. The methodology adopted included bibliographic research and a field visit, which revealed a high logistical cost to cover the collection route and the laboratory costs involved. The results indicate that the water quantity monitoring system has some functional structure, especially with regard to detecting increases in levels, flow velocity, and amount of precipitation. As a proposal to mitigate the identified problems, the implementation of an automatic water quality monitoring system was suggested, which would allow for a reduction in operational costs, providing real-time results and enabling data storage for long periods, contributing to a more efficient and sustainable management of the Incomáti River basin.