ANALYSIS OF PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF STORMWATER DISCHARGES IN THE BELÉM RIVER IN THE PUCPR CAMPUS REGION – MONITORING YEAR III

INTRODUCTION: Urban rivers play fundamental roles in the environmental functioning and landscape of cities. However, many exhibit clear signs of degradation due to intense human intervention. An emblematic example is the Belém River in Curitiba, Brazil, whose watershed has undergone substantial population densification, resulting in deterioration of water quality due to the continuous input, particularly, of organic loads, including pathogenic and antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, originating from illegal sewage connections to the stormwater drainage network and from the accumulation of solid waste. AIMS: The main objective of this Work Plan was to periodically monitor the physicochemical quality of discharges from the stormwater drainage network into the Belém River along the PUCPR campus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Samples were collected at specific points along stormwater discharge pipes entering the river, as well as directly from the river channel. To calculate the Water Quality Index (WQI), the following parameters were analyzed: pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, turbidity, total solids, and coliforms. RESULTS: Data obtained from the sampling campaigns revealed substantial variations in water quality, resulting in WQI classifications ranging from poor to very poor according to the established Water Quality Index categories, demonstrating the significant impairment of the analyzed river reaches. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: Monitoring is essential for generating scientific evidence to support technical and administrative actions aimed at improving sanitation infrastructure, particularly stormwater drainage systems.

KEYWORDS: Belém River; Stormwater drainage network; Physicochemical parameters; Environmental monitoring.