WATER AND SOIL TESTING
The Taubman team took water and soil tests in order to identify major pollution areas. The results of these tests showed heavy pollution in the creeks and the soil of Ocupação Anchieta. As a result, the Taubman team recommends that the cleanup of both elements be part of the remediation plan. Although the settlement is connected to the municipal water system, albeit informally, cleanup of the surrounding environment will also allow for a cleaner and more reliable public utilities.
66 (left) Resident Showing Natural Spring Area.
The Taubman College team used water testing as a methodology for data collection in Ocupação Anchieta. These tests better inform the team about the site conditions and confirm the team’s assumptions about environmental quality. Water testing included three stages: water quality testing, flow testing, and evaluation of water accessibility through quantitative and qualitative processes. While water testing was generally successful, the qualitative information obtained through this testing provided the most information for the planning and design processes. The first step in water quality and flow testing was site selection within Ocupação Anchieta. Initially, the team planned to select two sites in the creek: one as close to the source water as possible, and the other at the periphery of the settlement where the creek enters a closed drain.
The team planned to conduct one set of tests before a heavy rainstorm, and one afterwards. Upon arrival, we encountered problems that led us to adapt our original plans. The first problem was that the exact spring locations were unknown. The Taubman Team found one of the locations where spring water starts, but we were not able to collect water directly from this source. Beyond this, students were told different information regarding the number and general locations of all the springs. We suspected there were springs deep upstream in the creek, but the vegetation became too dense to investigate. We were also told there was a spring water source on the south side of the site, but we were unable to find it. Therefore, the team modified the original water testing plan to collect water at four locations of interest: (1) midway through the creek at a crossing area where a small urban farm is located, (2) as
FIELD METHODOLOGY
WATER TESTING METHODS
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