Water Quality Monitoring

Copel periodically monitors the quality of the water in its reservoirs, assessing the limnological conditions in the area of ​​influence of the hydroelectric generation projects, with a view to ensuring legal compliance and multiple uses of the waters. In general terms, the monitoring of water quality in reservoirs is mainly guided by two Resolutions: 
  • ANA-ANEEL Resolution No. 127/2022: establishes that the person responsible for the concession must carry out four monitoring campaigns a year in at least one point in reservoirs with an area greater than 3 km².
  • CONAMA Resolution No. 357/2005: legislation that establishes the reference standards of water quality to be met in rivers and reservoirs, according to each classification class.
Copel has water quality monitoring stations at all its plants, and the number of stations varies according to the characteristics of the reservoir, such as area, time of residence and history of water quality. Currently, the monitoring network has 45 monitoring stations in 18 generation projects, 21 of which are classified as river stations (upstream or downstream of the reservoirs) and 24 stations in the body of the reservoir. Table 1 – Number and typology of stations and associated developments:
Enterprise Seasons
APC – Apucaraninha 2 Reservoir
BLV – Bela Vista 3 River /1 Reservoir
CAS/CAV – Cavernous Complex 1 River / 2 Reservoir
CHE – Chimney 1 River / 2 Reservoir
CIM – Chopim 1 Reservoir
GNB/DRJ – Secret/Jordão Derivation 2 River / 3 Reservoir
GJC – Mauá 2 River / 3 Reservoir
GBM – Foz do Areia 2 River / 3 Reservoir
GJR – Caxias 2 River / 2 Reservoir
GNA – Guaricana 1 Reservoir
GPS – Capivari/Cachoeira 3 River / 1 Reservoir
MBI – Marumbi 1 Reservoir
PGI/SJR – Pitangui/São Jorge 2 River / 2 Reservoir
FRA – Figueira 2 Rio
MEL – Melissa 1 Reservoir
VAU – Salto do Vau 1 Reservoir
It should be noted that the parameters analyzed in river stations differ from the parameters analyzed in reservoirs. Reservoir stations have a particularity: collections are usually carried out at two depths, determined based on the IQAR methodology. When anoxia occurs (absence of dissolved oxygen), collection is performed at one more depth. The table below shows the parameters analyzed at the river stations, and at each of the depths of the reservoirs: Table 2 – Monitored parameters – QdA – river and reservoir:
River samples  Samples in reservoir (Prof. I)  Samples in reservoir (Prof. II*)  Samples in reservoir (Prof. III*) 
pH pH pH pH
 Conductivity Conductivity Conductivity Conductivity
Total phosphorus Total phosphorus Total phosphorus Total phosphorus
Orthophosphate Orthophosphate Orthophosphate Orthophosphate
Total number Total number Total number Total number
Nitrate Nitrate Nitrate Nitrate
Nitrite Nitrite Nitrite Nitrite
Total Ammonia Nitrogen Total Ammonia Nitrogen Total Ammonia Nitrogen Total Ammonia Nitrogen
Total inorganic N Total inorganic N Total inorganic N Total inorganic N
Calcium Calcium DBO DBO
Magnesium Magnesium COD COD
Sodium Sodium Turbidity Turbidity
Potassium Potassium Total Solids Total Solids
Sulfates Sulfates Sulfates Sulfates
Sulphides Sulphides Sulphides Sulphides
Chlorides Chlorides Cell count (cel/mL) and identification of phytoplankton
Alkalinity Alkalinity
Total Solids Total Solids
Settling Solids Settling Solids
Turbidity Turbidity
Total Coliforms Total Coliforms
Thermotolerant Coliforms Thermotolerant Coliforms
DBO DBO
COD COD
Oils and Greases Chlorophyll-a
Cell count (cel/mL) and identification of phytoplankton
* Depths II and III refer to the depths defined in the IQAR methodology Monitoring results are expressed through three indices¹:
  • IQA – Water Quality Index
  • TFI – Trophic State Index
  • IQAR – Reservoir Water Quality Index  
All monitoring data feed the Water Quality Management System – QdA, software developed to provide Copel’s water quality management. The results are presented to the environmental agency through annual reports.
barra-colorida-20px
Compartilhe:

Learn about other Copel programs

Fauna Rescue and Rescue Program

Copel Distribuição carries out Fauna and Fauna Rescue Programs in the implementation of High Voltage Distribution Lines. These Programs are carried out when there is

Solidarity Energy Program

Program of the Government of the State of Paraná, established by Law 20.943/2021, which pays the bills of consumers enrolled in the Social Electricity Tariff,