| Summary: | This work aimed to assess the
bacteriological quality of water used in the irrigation of
vegetable gardens in the municipalities of Araraquara, Boa
Esperança do Sul and Ibitinga, São Paulo, Brazil. A total of
80 samples of water used in the irrigation of 40 vegetable
gardens were analyzed, two samples coming from each
vegetable garden. They were collected at the same site in
different months, which resulted in two sample collection
groups. The most probable number (MPN/100mL) of total
coliforms, thermotolerant coliforms and enterococci was
identifi ed by means of the multiple tube technique. The
analysis of the fi rst group samples showed quantities of
thermotolerant coliforms above the amount allowed by
current law for irrigation water (CONAMA Resolution n.
357) in nine cases. The owners of those vegetable gardens
were then instructed in water disinfection procedures. After
the analysis of the second group samples, it was noticed
that only one sample did not meet the quality standards, and
it was collected at a site where no disinfection procedure
had been carried out. According to the results, 77.5% of the
vegetable gardens were using water whose samples meet
the quality standards. After the owners were instructed with
regard to disinfection procedures, that number changed to
97.5%, which confi rms the importance of controlling and
supervising irrigation water quality.
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