CONTAMINATION OF INDIVIDUAL SOURCES OF DRINKING WATER LOCATED IN ENVIRONMENTALLY POLLUTED CENTRAL SPIÅ REGION (SLOVAKIA)

Abstract

The aim of the present paper was to evaluate individual sources of drinking water in a village located in environmentally polluted Central Spiš region (Slovakia) which has been affected negatively by mining activities and subsequent processing of complex Fe and Cu ores. Altogether 20 wells were examined chemically (pH, NH3, NO2, NO3, Cl-, Cl2, CODMn and 71 elements including heavy metals) and microbiologically focusing on selected indicators of contamination (KM22, KM36, KB and E. coli). The results obtained were evaluated on the basis of a Statutory order of SR 354/2006 of the Civil Code (of May 10, 2006) on requirements on water intended for human consumption. Limits for heavy metals were exceeded in 3 wells (Ni, Sb and Sb and As). The acceptable concentration of NH3 was exceeded in one well, of NO2 in 3, NO3 in 3 and Cl- in 10 wells. Higher concentrations of Cl2 were determined in 1 well and of COD in 5 wells. In the majority of cases only 1 or 2 parameters were exceeded with the exception of 3 wells (3 parameters in two and 5 in one well). Some of the wells could present risk from the chemical point of view. None of the wells could be considered completely safe from the bacteriological point of view.