The Pereque and Penedo rivers flow through the plains of Praia de Leste and
fall into the sea between the municipalities of Pontal do Sul and Ponta do
Poco. Both of these rivers belong to the sub-basin of Paranagua Bay, and a
re constituent parts of the hydrographic basin of the Atlantic Ocean (State
of Parana). Four sites along the Pereque River (Stations 1-4) and one alon
g the Penedo River (Station 5) were monitorated for water pollution over a
12-month period. During the period of December 1995 to November 1996, three
water samples were collected from each site, placed in sterilized bottles
and transported to the laboratory in ice-boxes. They were analyzed for the
occurrence of total and fecal coliforms, temperature and pH. Fecal pollutio
n was detected throughout the period of study. Coliform contamination was s
maller in Station 1 and 5 than in any other sites, probably due to lesser i
nfluence from urbanized areas. Wafer at Station 4 was strongly contaminated
due to its close proximity to a sewage canal. This study demonstrated that
the Pequere and Penedo rivers, freshwater shrimps habitats, were heavily c
ontaminated with fecal indicator bacteria, and this occurrence was not rela
ted with temperature or pH.