Environmental perception of residents about the use of the dam's water in District of Galante, Campina Grande, Paraiba, Brazil

Abstract

The study of environmental perception is a tool capable of exposing the socio-environmental reality of certain communities through the collection of information directly with the residents who experience the problems, since it highlights actions, values and opinions, as well as cultural knowledge and habits. The objective of this study was to evaluate the environmental perception of District of Galante residents on the use of José Rodrigues Water after the rationing occurred between 2016 and 2017, since the water of this reservoir is inappropriate for human consumption. The methodology was composed by the application of a semistructured questionnaire containing open and closed questions, being applied to 30 residents living in the surroundings of the José Rodrigues reservoir. The results shows that 60% of the inhabitants stated that they use the water reservoir during the rationing period, being the waters used for human consumption, animal watering, domestic activities, etc. It was found that after the end of the rationing the residents used the same waters for animal watering, recreation, fishing and irrigation. In addition, the weir is used as a tourist spot, moving the local economy. However, these waters are inappropriate for human consumption and for activities that depends on the potability of water.