Parameters of clean drinking water. Key indicators of drinking water. What does good tap water mean?

We all are 70% water, water is the source of life and habitat for most living organisms on the planet. The quantity and quality of water determines what a person's life will be like. It's no secret that today on Earth there are not many reserves of pure drinking water due to technological progress, pollution of the environment by sewage and other results human activity. Therefore, water quality control is of particular relevance. After all, we are what we eat and drink. In this article, we would like to tell you about the requirements for water quality in our country, how water quality is assessed, and what indicators water must meet so that it can be safely consumed.

Water quality indicators

All indicators of water quality are divided into:

• organoleptic indicators, which include smell, color, taste and turbidity of water;
• chemical indicators, including the pH value, total mineralization or dry residue of water, as well as its hardness;
• bacteriological indicators (microbial number - the number of microorganisms contained in 1 ml of water (no more than 100), coli-index (no more than 3 bacteria of group E in 1 liter of water), coli-titer - the inverse indicator of coli-index, the amount of water in which there is 1 E. coli (more than 300 ml));
• chemical indicators (content of various chemical macro- and microelements in water).

Now let's talk about these indicators in more detail. Water quality testing has always been and remains a very important preventive measure. The criteria for water safety for human health have not always been the same as today, they have changed as people have studied the various chemical, biological and medical properties of water. What do certain values ​​of water quality indicators show, read on.

First of all, it should be said that water suitable for drinking should be odorless and free of foreign tastes. The presence of foreign odors or tastes indicates the presence of various compounds in the water (gases, mineral salts, organic matter, petroleum products, microbes). According to these indicators, an assessment of up to 2 points is allowed (it is carried out by heating water to a temperature of 60 degrees Celsius).

If the water has a shade, this indicates that the normative values ​​​​of high-molecular compounds of a soil nature, iron, and pollution are exceeded. Wastewater. The color of water is assessed using a special platinum-cobalt scale. The maximum allowable water color value is 20.

The next indicator of water quality is its transparency. If the water is not clear, it means that there are suspended particles in the water. The maximum allowable value of water turbidity is 1.5 mg/l.

Concerning chemical indicators water quality, it is worth mentioning the following separately:

• pH is an indicator of the concentration of hydrogen ions in water. The value of this indicator determines the background of the aquatic environment: from acidic to alkaline. The normal pH value for drinking water is 6-9;
• total mineralization or dry residue - an indicator of the concentration of anions, cations and dissolved in water organic matter. Water with increased mineralization negatively affects the functioning of the stomach, disrupts the water-salt balance, as a result of which metabolic and biochemical processes in the body are disturbed. The norm of dry residue is considered to be a maximum value of 1000 mg / l;
• Water hardness is an indicator of the presence of calcium and magnesium cations in water. Scientists have found that by drinking hard water for a long time, a person significantly increases the chances of myocardial infarction. The maximum allowable water hardness is 7 mmol/l.

Water quality is also affected by the presence of various chemical elements. Their standard values ​​can be found on the websites of organizations that test water quality. The hygienic quality of water is determined by the above indicators. In addition, the water must have a suitable chemical composition for a particular region, not degrade the biological value of food, and not contain pathogenic organisms and toxic or radioactive substances.

Drinking water quality control

Now let's talk about how the quality of drinking water is monitored. Water quality checks are regularly carried out by state institutes for standardization and control, as well as organizations involved in the supply of cold and hot water into the plumbing. It's no secret that, despite the ongoing checks, the quality of drinking water that flows from the tap leaves much to be desired, and the requirements for the quality of drinking water, if any, are not fully met. Each region of our country is characterized by certain problems in water supply, so it is desirable to reduce the consumption of tap water to a minimum. You can replace it with bottled water. If you decide to buy bottled water for cooking, then pay attention to the following points:

• water must be purchased from large reputable stores with a good reputation,
• the label must indicate that “water is of the highest category”, and must also contain all the necessary information about the water (source, water category, manufacturer, chemical composition).

If you are responsible for your health, we advise you to determine the quality of the water that flows from the tap and the one you decide to buy for drinking and cooking. This can be done in several ways at home.

Method one - weigh the water. The water that is lighter is considered good.

The second way is to make good tea and pour water into it. If the liquid acquires a peach hue - the water is clean, if it becomes cloudy - the water is bad.

The third method is to fill a bottle of water and leave it in a dark place for 2 days. If the water becomes greenish, an oily film or plaque appears on the walls, this will be evidence of poor water quality.

Method four - drip water on the mirror and wait until it evaporates. If traces remain on the glass, then the water is very hard, and if the mirror remains clean, then the water is clear.

Method five - pour a weak solution of potassium permanganate into the water. If the liquid quickly turns yellow - the water is of poor quality, if it does not turn yellow - you can drink the water.

If you want to know the exact indicators of water quality, take the samples to Rospotrebnadzor. Within a week you will receive free analysis results. Take care of your health! Drink only clean water!

The main indicators of drinking water, which are normalized by regulatory documents. What does "good" mean? tap water". What documents regulate the quality of the drinking water environment in our pipelines. Groups of indicators for assessing the quality of the aquatic environment. Norms for the group of organoleptics, microbiology and chemical components. The main indicators of drinking water should be within the normal range. It is from them that one can say what “good tap water” means. Main characteristics tap water are normalized in GOST 2874-82.

Drinking water indicators

Our tap water must meet the requirements for drinking water. The main indicators of such water are strictly standardized by the regulatory documents in force in our country, namely the above-described GOST and SanPiN 2.1.1074-01.

We are accustomed to draw conclusions about the quality of water according to our taste sensations, according to its smell, color and transparency. If the water passed our test for all these indicators, which belong to the group of organoleptic properties of water, this does not mean that it can be considered good. Exists whole line components of the aquatic environment, the concentration of which can only be judged by the results of special laboratory tests. It is due to the content of these substances in tap water that conclusions are drawn about the quality of water. Their maximum permissible concentration is standardized in the above documents.

When conducting analyzes, indicators of tap water from the following groups are evaluated:

1. A group of organoleptic indicators of the aquatic environment. Here, all the qualities of water that we can evaluate with our senses (color, taste, smell, transparency) are evaluated.
2. A group of chemical components of the aquatic environment. In this group, the concentration of certain water components is assessed, which, if exceeded, can harm our body.
3. Group of microbiological indicators of the aquatic environment. This includes various microorganisms and bacteria that are capable of causing global epidemic problems.

Good water: assessment of organoleptic and chemical indicators of the aquatic environment

The main indicators of water for these two groups according to normative documentation must comply with the following standards:

• An excess of ammonium concentration in the water analysis indicates fresh contamination of the aquatic environment with nitrogenous components.
• The acidity of tap water should be normal from 6 to 9. Exceeding the pH indicates poor quality water.
• The total hardness of water is also estimated, which depends on the content of dissolved calcium and magnesium salts in it. The normalized value is no more than 10.
• Good tap water should have a certain degree of mineralization. This indicator gives an idea of ​​the content in aquatic environment solid components. For drinking water, this indicator should be in the range from 1 to 1.5 thousand mg / l.
• The tap water environment must be free of free chlorine particles, which are very harmful to health.
• The color of tap water should not exceed 30 degrees.
• The content of iron in the aquatic environment is also normalized. This indicator should not exceed 0.3 mg / l.
• Although the water goes through the purification stage, nitrite particles can still remain in it. Their content in good drinking water cannot exceed 3 mg/l.
• Equally important is the correct content of fluoride in the tap water environment. According to regulatory documents this value cannot exceed 1.5 mg/l.
• When analyzing water, the index of its permanganate oxidizability is evaluated, which normally should not exceed 7.
• Also, the presence of sulfides in drinking water is allowed, but their concentration cannot be more than 0.003 mg / l.
• If there are organic impurities in the aquatic environment that decompose, then the liquid can be saturated with hydrogen sulfide. Therefore, in good tap water, this substance should not be detected at all.

Indicators of good water in the microbiology group

In this group, the following indicators of the aquatic environment are analyzed:

1. The content of heat-resistant microorganisms of the intestinal group. These microbes are very similar to E. coli bacteria, but they are more resistant to high temperatures, so they are more tenacious. If these microorganisms are found in the water, then it can be argued that fecal contamination of the aquatic environment has occurred.
2. The total number of Escherichia coli (coliforms). An analysis for these microbes allows you to identify dangerous intestinal viruses, worms, Klebsiella and other protozoa in the water. Normally, they should not be found in 100 ml of liquid. If one or more of these microbes are found, then the integrity of the waterways or tanks is damaged.
3. Concentration of spores of various pathogens (eg Clostridium). Water good quality cannot contain Clostridium spores and Giardia cysts. These microbes should not be found in 200 ml of liquid.
4. The total microbial number indicates the content of anaerobic and aerobic bacteria in the aquatic environment. The indicator indicates the effectiveness of water treatment measures, as well as the correctness of their choice. Norm for this indicator equals 50 for each milliliter of liquid.
5. The analysis reveals the presence of dangerous coliphage viruses. These viruses are especially tenacious and therefore dangerous. Normally, they should not be detected in 100 ml of the analyzed liquid.

If you want to evaluate the quality of tap water, you can order an analysis from our independent laboratory. To do this, you just need to call us at the specified phone number. The cost of the analysis depends on the number of tested components and is specified when calling.

Statistics provided by the World Health Organization, speaks of terrible figures of 5 million deaths from the use of poor-quality drinking water. Infectious diseases various types caused by the use of dirty water, reach the mark of 500 million cases annually. The problem of water supply remains one of the most important for many countries of the world.

Nature decreed that it is simply impossible to find pure water. This is because water is essentially a solvent and collides with various rocks on its way, thereby borrowing many new compounds and elements into the composition. Getting into the soil, water absorbs carbon dioxide, which endows it with the properties of a solvent in relation to mineral salts.

The rocks that are on the path of the water, leave an indelible mark on it. For example, when touched with calcareous rocks, it acquires a calcareous structure, and when in contact with dolomite rocks, water becomes magnesium. Water becomes mineral when it comes into contact with NaCl salts and rocks containing gypsum.

That is why it is always necessary to analyze water from a newly dug well or other source of water supply. Based on the results of the analysis, a decision will be made on the possibility of water consumption. When evaluating the results, it is worth focusing on the maximum permissible values ​​that are indicated in the relevant regulatory literature. In particular, the provisions of the Law of the Russian Federation "On the sanitary and epidemic well-being of the population" dated April 19, 1991 can be used. This legislative act contains references to the SanPiN 4630-88 rules and water requirements in accordance with GOST 2874-82.

Permissible values ​​for individual parameters

During the study of water, its chemical, physical, as well as bacteriological properties are studied.

Among the physical indicators, temperature parameters, color formation, possible tastes and odors are investigated. The temperature of the well water should be no higher than 7 ... 12 ° C. If the temperature is higher, then it loses significantly in terms of refreshing properties. Water with temperature limits from 0 to 5 ° C is generally not recommended for use, since it harms the body and promises only colds.

The turbidity index of water is based on the content of particles in it, measured in milligrams per liter of water. Water from the depths is always less cloudy. organic compounds found in water affect organoleptic characteristics. This affects the manifestation of numerous odors in the water. Among the common it is customary to distinguish:

• fish;
• pharmacy;
• camphor;
• the smell of oil;
• rot.

In addition, the analysis takes into account the indicators of color and foaming of the water sample. The secretion of gastric juice is very susceptible to the properties of water, and water with different flavors can adversely affect visual perception and heart rate.

Water hardness parameter and salinity

When studying chemical composition pay attention to such indicators as: active reaction, acidity, hardness and the content of mineral salts in it. The active reaction of water is directly related to the presence of hydrogen ions in it. The index indicating activity is the pH value. At the same time, pH \u003d 7 indicates a neutral environment, pH<7 о кислотности, а при pH>7 water carries alkaline compounds.

The hardness index is expressed as the proportion of magnesium and calcium salts in the composition of water. The method of expression is equated to the number of milligrams per liter of water (mgeq / l). For example, underground water has overestimated hardness, but surface water are maintained within 3-6 meq / l.

As part of hard water there are mineral salts, which over time are deposited on the walls of boilers and dishes. So-called rock salt manifests itself over time in the form of scale. Water supply systems suffer greatly from contact with hard water, so it is unsuitable there. In such water, even tea cannot be properly brewed, not to mention the poor solubility of soap solutions. When cooking legumes with hard water, there is a chance that they will not boil for a long time.

Structure-soft water should be within 10 meq/l and not exceed this threshold. However, more recently, many researchers have begun to argue that the consumption of water with a small amount of hardness salts leads to the development of heart disease.

The oxidizability of water is reduced to the presence of organic substances in the composition, which may indicate the ingress of wastewater components. well water most at risk of contact with wastewater, which is dominated by a huge amount of fats, proteins, organic substances, alcohols, ethers, phenols and even oil.

The sediment found in the water may be formed from salts. On surface sources, sediment is less, since soluble salts are minimal there. Mineralization of water is determined by organoleptic characteristics per 1000 mg/l. If the water has a high salt content, then it can be bitter. The acceptable threshold is 350 mg/l for chlorides and 500 mg/l for sulfates. The minimum sediment threshold is 100 mg/l, so the most optimal is 200-400 mg/l mineralization. The content of calcium is 25 mg/l, and magnesium is 10 mg/l.

A little about water analysis using the example of a well in country house:

Drinking water is water suitable for human consumption and meeting quality criteria, i.e. water that is safe and pleasant to the taste. On a global scale, the quality criteria were approved by the European Community and adopted by each of the countries. In Russia, there is GOST "Drinking Water".

The quality of water supplied to the consumer from water supply systems depends on the composition of the source water and is determined technological requirements emanating from the respective controlling organizations. Sanitary Rules and Norms 2.1.4.559-96 “Drinking water. Hygiene requirements to the quality of water in centralized drinking water supply systems. Quality control”, approved by the Decree of the State Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Supervision of the Russian Federation of October 24, 1996 and put into effect on July 1, 1997.

Hydrogen indicator

The hydrogen index characterizes the concentration of free hydrogen ions in water. The flow rate can change depending on the pH value. chemical reactions, the degree of corrosiveness of water, the toxicity of pollutants, etc. Controlling the pH level is especially important at all stages of water treatment, since its deviations in one direction or another can not only significantly affect the smell, taste and appearance of water, but also affect the effectiveness of water treatment activities. For drinking and domestic water, the pH level in the range from 6 to 9 (SanPiN) is considered optimal.

General mineralization

The total mineralization is a total quantitative indicator of the content of substances dissolved in water. This parameter is also called the content of soluble solids or total salt content, since the substances dissolved in water are in the form of salts. SanPiN recommends an upper mineralization limit of 1000 mg/l. Water with low salinity is too fresh and tasteless. To the value of mineralization in terms of sedimentation and scale in heating appliances, steam boilers, domestic water heaters, special requirements apply, and the lower the level of mineralization (especially the content of hardness salts), the better.

Rigidity

Hardness is a property of water due to the presence of soluble salts of calcium and magnesium in it. There are the following types of hardness:

• General hardness - is determined by the total concentration of calcium and magnesium ions, is the sum of carbonate (temporary) and non-carbonate (permanent) hardness.
• Carbonate hardness - due to the presence of bicarbonates and carbonates (at pH> 8.3) of calcium and magnesium in water. This type of hardness is almost completely eliminated when water is boiled and is therefore called temporary hardness.
• Non-carbonate hardness - due to the presence of calcium and magnesium salts of strong acids (sulphuric, nitric, hydrochloric) and is not eliminated by boiling (constant hardness).

In world practice, several units of measurement of stiffness are used, all of them in a certain way correlate with each other. In Russia, the Gosstandart sets the mole per cubic meter (mol/m3) as the unit of water hardness. SanPiN recommends the rate of total water hardness - 7.0 mg-eq / l.

Oxidability permanganate

Oxidability is a value that characterizes the content of organic and mineral substances in water that are oxidized (under certain conditions) by one of the strong chemical oxidizing agents. This parameter is expressed in milligrams of oxygen used for the oxidation of these substances contained in 1 dm3 of water. In accordance with the requirements of SanPiN, permanganate oxidizability should not exceed 5.0 mgO2/l.

Oragnoleptic indicators

Among the organoleptic indicators are those parameters of water quality that determine its consumer properties, i.e. those properties that directly affect the human senses (smell, touch, sight). The most significant of these parameters - taste and smell - cannot be formally measured, therefore their determination is made by an expert. In addition to taste and smell, such indicators as smack, color, turbidity and transparency are distinguished.

Smell and taste

Chemically pure water completely devoid of taste and smell. From a scientific point of view, smell and taste are the property of substances to cause specific irritation of the receptors of the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx and tongue in humans and animals. The taste can be alkaline, metallic, astringent, etc. The intensity of the smell of water is determined by an expert at 20°C and 60°C and measured in points. SanPiN normalizes the permissible intensity of taste - 2 points, smell - 2 points.

Taste

The taste of water is determined by the substances of organic and inorganic origin dissolved in it and differs in character and intensity. There are four main types of taste: salty, sour, sweet, bitter. All other types of taste sensations are called off-flavours - see above. The intensity of taste is determined at 20 ° C and evaluated on a five-point scale. SanPiN normalizes the permissible intensity of taste - 2 points.

Chroma

Chromaticity is a water quality indicator that characterizes the intensity of water color. The chromaticity is determined by comparing the color of the tested water with standards and is expressed in degrees of the platinum-cobalt scale. A high color indicates that the water is unfavorable. SanPiN normalizes the permissible color index - 20 degrees Pt-Co scale.

Turbidity

The turbidity of water is caused by the presence of fine suspensions of organic and inorganic origin. The main negative consequence of high turbidity is that it protects microorganisms during ultraviolet disinfection and stimulates bacterial growth. WHO does not standardize turbidity according to indications of health effects, however, from the point of view of appearance recommends that turbidity be no higher than 5 NTU (nephelometric turbidity unit) and, for decontamination purposes, no more than 1 NTU. SanPiN normalizes the permissible turbidity index - 2.6 NMF (for formazin) and 1.5 mg / l (kaolin).

Transparency

The transparency (or light transmission) of water is due to its color and turbidity, that is, the content of various colored and suspended organic and mineral substances in them. Water, depending on the degree of transparency, is conditionally divided into transparent, slightly opalescent, opalescent, slightly turbid, turbid, highly turbid.

For the isolation and identification of individual pathogenic (pathogenic) microorganisms in water, separate technique identification is time consuming. Since the diversity of bacteria, viruses and protozoa that can be found in water is very high, specific tests for individual pathogens are not applicable to the routine analysis of microbiological water quality. From a practical point of view, it is much more important to frequently and quickly perform one general test by looking for some indicator organisms, the observation of which allows monitoring microbiological contamination of water.

Total microbial count

As a criterion for bacteriological contamination, the total number of colony-forming bacteria (Colony Forming Units - CFU) in 1 ml of water is used. The resulting value is called the total microbial number. A high microbial count indicates a general bacteriological contamination of water and a high probability of the presence of pathogenic organisms. SanPiN normalizes this indicator to 50 CFU.

Coliform organisms (common coliforms)

Coliforms are useful microbial indicators of drinking water quality. According to SanPiN recommendations, coliform bacteria should not be detected in water supply systems with treated water. Coliforms may be accidentally introduced into the distribution system, but not more than 5% of samples taken during any 12-month period. The presence of coliform organisms in water indicates its insufficient purification, secondary pollution, or the presence of an excess amount of nutrients in the water.

thermotolerant coliform bacteria

Bacteria of this type are a group of coliform organisms capable of fermenting lactose at 44 - 45 °C. Thermotolerant coliforms are readily detectable and therefore play an important secondary role in evaluating the effectiveness of water treatment against faecal bacteria. A more accurate indicator is E. Coli (E. coli), since the source of some other thermotolerant coliforms can be not only fecal water. SanPiN recommends that control laboratories produce precise definition E.Coli in cases of detection of a large number of thermotolerant bacteria (in the absence of sanitary accidents), or, conversely, in conditions where the possibilities of complex microbiological studies are limited.

Fecal streptococci

The term "fecal streptococci" refers to those streptococci that are commonly found in human and animal feces. Fecal streptococci rarely multiply in contaminated water and can therefore be used in water quality studies as an additional indicator of water treatment efficiency. In addition, streptococci are highly resistant to desiccation and may be useful for routine monitoring after the installation of new water mains or repair of distribution networks, and for the detection of contamination. surface runoff groundwater or surface water.

coliphages

Coliphages are a type of bacteriophages (viruses of bacteria that infect a bacterial cell, multiply in it and often cause its death) living in coliform bacteria. Bacteriophages have been proposed as indicators of water quality due to their similarity to human enteric viruses (enteroviruses) and ease of detection in water.

Sulfite-reducing clostridia

Clostridial spores are able to survive in water much longer than coliform organisms, and they are more resistant to disinfection. Their presence in disinfected water may indicate insufficient treatment and, therefore, that pathogens resistant to disinfection may not have died.

lamblia

Giardia is the simplest single-celled microorganism that exists in two separate morphological forms: cysts (static form) and trophozoites (free-living form). They are resistant to acids, alkalis, substances containing active chlorine, and are completely inactivated only when boiled for at least 20 minutes. It is precisely because of the above reasons that the norms of the Russian SanPiN and the American Agency for Protection Environment(USEPA) provides for the complete absence of these microorganisms in drinking water. The absence of Giardia cysts in the water is an important indicator that the water is cleared of a number of other protozoa, such as resting stages (oocysts) of Cryptosporidium, amoebas, and enteroviruses.

Radiological indicators of water quality

The impact of ionizing radiation on humans is due to both natural and artificial sources of radiation. The radiation dose received by a person (hereinafter, the dose means the effective reduced dose) consists of two components - the so-called external exposure (due to sources of ionizing radiation outside the human body) and internal exposure (due to radionuclides, in other words, radioactive isotopes in the human body). According to the WHO, the average global dose of radiation received by a person from all natural sources (both external and internal) is 2.4 mSv/year. The main intake of radioactive elements in the human body occurs due to breathing (radon gas causes up to 75% of all internal exposure) and food. Due to drinking water - a little, since natural radioactive isotopes (decay products of uranium and thorium) are found in it in very small quantities. SanPiN has established a number of indicators of the radiological quality of water.

Total a (Alfa) - radioactivity

Alpha radiation is much more dangerous when the source of alpha particles is inside the body. According to SanPiN, a value of 0.1 Bq/l is recommended as the limit value of the total alpha activity for the purposes of routine monitoring of the radiological safety of water.

Total b (Beta) - radioactivity

Beta radiation can cause skin burns and is very dangerous when a source of beta particles enters the human body. SanPiN indicate the value of 1.0 Bq/l as the limit value of the total beta activity for the purposes of routine monitoring of the radiological safety of water.

Maximum permissible concentrations of the main inorganic substances in drinking water:

• Aluminum (Al) - 0.5 mg/dm3
• Barium (Ba) - 0.1 mg/l
• Beryllium (Be) - 1 µg/l
• Boron (B) - 0.5 mg/dm3
• Vanadium (V) - 0.1 mg/l
• Bismuth (Bi) - 0.1 mg/l or 100 mcg/l
• Tungsten (W) - 0.05 mg/dm3
• Europium (Eu) - 0.3 mg/l
• Iron (Fe) - 0.3 mg/l (and according to EU standards even 0.2 mg/l)
• Cadmium (Cd) - 0.001 mg / dm3
• Silver (Ag) - 0.05 mg/dm3

organic impurities

The list of organic impurities in water, given in SanPiN 2.1.4.559-96, contains hundreds of substances. Here are the indicators characterizing the limiting concentrations of the main natural and artificial organic substances that affect water quality (mcg/dm3).

Chlorinated alkanes

• Carbon tetrachloride - 6
• Dichloromethane - 7.5
• 1,1,1-trichloroethane - 10000
• Chlorinated ethylenes
• Vinyl chloride - 50
• aromatic hydrocarbons
• Benzene - 10
• Toluene - 500
• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
• Benz(a)pyrene - 0 5
• Chlorinated benzenes
• Monochlorobenzene - 20
• 1,2-dichlorobenzene - 2
• Trichlorobenzene 30
• Organoelement compounds
• Dialkyltin (compounds) - 5
• Tetraethyltin - 0.2
• Tributylmethacrylatol - 0.2
• Individual pesticides
• 1,2-dichloropropane - 400
• 1,3-dichloropropene - 400
• Heptachlor and heptachlorepoxide - 50
• Chlorphenoxy herbicides (other than 2,4-D and MCPA)
• 2.4-DV 90 - 500

The problem of water purity is a state problem. This is evidenced by the information actually more than a year and a half ago, given below, but which has not lost its relevance even today - about the meeting of the Interdepartmental Commission of the Security Council of the Russian Federation on environmental safety. But to date, the situation with water purification has not changed much. Thus, we can state the fact that developers and manufacturers of water purification equipment at all levels will only have more work to do if there is funding and a truly state approach to water.

About pollution of underground sources

Back in July 2001, a meeting of the Interdepartmental Commission of the Security Council of the Russian Federation on environmental safety was held under the chairmanship of Vice-President of the Russian Academy of Sciences Nikolai Laverov, at which the issue “On the problems of technogenic pollution of open and underground sources drinking water supply and measures to ensure the population of Russia drinking water". The commission heard and discussed the report of N.N. Mikheev - First Deputy Minister natural resources Russian Federation, head of the State Water Service, in which the deteriorating state of water resources countries due to excessive technogenic pressure on entire ecosystems. Suffice it to say that only 11% of wastewater discharged into surface water bodies in 2000, passed regulatory clearance. The waters of such rivers of the country as the Volga, Don, Kuban, Ob, Lena, Pechora, which are the main sources of drinking water supply, are constantly polluted, and their tributaries - Oka, Kama, Tom, Irtysh, Tobol, Miass, etc. are assessed as "very polluted ". Excessive anthropogenic impact affects the water quality of the Volga reservoirs. According to the given data, 1/3 of the country's population is forced to drink water that does not meet the standards, which creates a serious danger to the health of consumers. The main contribution to the pollution of water bodies is made by urban and rural sewerage systems, industrial enterprises, livestock complexes, farms and poultry farms.

V last years deteriorated significantly technical condition hydroelectric facilities and the coastal zone of reservoirs, most of the surveyed hydraulic structures need current repair, and over 3 thousand of them are in emergency or pre-emergency condition.

One fifth of all sources of centralized drinking water supply in the country do not meet sanitary standards and rules, including 17.4% due to the lack of sanitary protection zones.

Such a catastrophic state of the water sector of the country was caused by the imperfection of legislation (contradiction to each other state standards) and the economic mechanism in the field of water use, insufficient financing of water management activities.

The Interdepartmental Commission recommended to the Government of the Russian Federation, interested federal executive authorities and authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation the earliest adoption federal law"On drinking water and drinking water supply", approval of the federal target program "Providing the population of Russia with drinking water" and the development of a scheme for the integrated use and protection of water resources of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2010. These and other measures would greatly help in solving existing problems.

The deplorable state of the water industry is unacceptable for a country that has 20% of the world's reserves fresh water and does not know how to manage them.

(According to NIA-Priroda).

C.O.K. #12 | 2002
Category: PLUMBING AND WATER SUPPLY
Nadezhda Matveeva