[Drinking water in rural farms as a risk factor to human health].

OBJECTIVE To assess the sanitary quality of drinking water in rural farms through counts of microbiological indicators. METHODS A total of 180 drinking water samples from sources, reservoirs and water from site of consumption were collected in 30 rural farms located in the northeast region of the sate of São Paulo. The most probable number of total coliforms, Escherichia coli and mesophilic microorganisms were determined. Also, the presence of protection measures for water supplies wase verified. RESULTS The study results showed that 90.0% of drinking water samples from sources, 90.0% from reservoirs, and 96.7% from sites of consumption, collected during the rainy season, and 83.3%, 96.7% and 90.0% of samples collected in dry season were below the quality control standards for drinking water. CONCLUSIONS Drinking water in rural farms was considered a potential human health threat. Preventive measures for protecting water sources and water treatment are necessary to significantly reduce the occurrence of waterborne diseases.