Difficulties in monitoring the microbiological parameters of a mineral water source in São Paulo state

Abstract

Monitoring the microbiological parameters of a small-scale mining water company is a simple task because there are a small number of wells to be monitored in its mining area. When trying to monitor the microbiological parameters of global brands, many obstacles are faced due to the large number of wells that each mineral water company usually has. Many wells of the same brand of mineral water can be in different Brazilian states. Four different mineral water brands from 4 mineral water mining companies were chosen to be monitored. The first company had 8 wells monitored and for the other three companies three wells were monitored, one for each company. The following microbiological parameters were monitored for days and months: Escherichia Coli, Total Coliforms and Heterotrophic Bacteria. The climatic seasons and the various types of packaging were considered in this monitoring. All brands analyzed were acquired in commercial establishments in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.