Overview

Brazil's semi-arid region is characterized by a low level of vegetation and irregular rainfall, which causes a large hydrological deficit. The situation is aggravated by inadequate water supply infrastructure. Even with the use of social technologies such as desalination and cisterns, there is still a shortage of drinking water. As a result, the population has been looking for alternatives, such as using mineral water. As a result of this demand, many companies have disregarded the quality standards required by law for mineral water to be sold. The aim of this study was to investigate the physical and chemical quality of mineral water sold in fountains in the municipality of Frutuoso Gomes - RN. Samples were collected from the fountains under study and taken to the chemistry laboratory at UFERSA - Caraúbas to be analyzed according to the standards recommended by ANVISA. According to the results, we concluded that the mineral water sold in the fountains of Frutuoso Gomes - RN complies with the physical-chemical parameters required by current Brazilian legislation, indicating that the mineral water is fit for human consumption.