<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The quality of water in a well that serves as an individual drinking water source, located in the Slovakian region previously burdened with mining activities, was investigated in relation to the quality of surface water in the same region. Selected microbiological and physicochemical parameters were determined in samples of ground water (well) and surface water (brook and river). Plate counts of coliform bacteria, <italic>E. coli</italic>, enterococci and bacteria cultivated at 22 °C and 37 °C were determined. Microbiological quality of samples collected from the well was generally satisfactory. Examination of the samples of surface water (river) showed a significant organic pollution indicated by fluorescence spectra. In all water samples the values of: pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, ammonium ions, nitrites, nitrates, chlorides and chemical oxygen demand (COD<sub>Mn</sub>) were below the limits set by the state legislation. In the surface water, high levels of arsenic were found. The sum of calcium and magnesium in the well water was close to or below the recommended minimum level. In this well water, the level of antimony exceeded 10-fold the maximum limit for drinking water and was of the largest concern as this well water has been used for drinking, cooking, and watering of animals and vegetables for a long period of time. This poses a risk of accumulation of this metalloid in the food chain.</p></abstract>

The quality of water in a well that serves as an individual drinking water source, located in the Slovakian region previously burdened with mining activities, was investigated in relation to the quality of surface water in the same region. Selected microbiological and physicochemical parameters were determined in samples of ground water (well) and surface water (brook and river). Plate counts of coliform bacteria, E. coli, enterococci and bacteria cultivated at 22 °C and 37 °C were determined. Microbiological quality of samples collected from the well was generally satisfactory. Examination of the samples of surface water (river) showed a significant organic pollution indicated by fluorescence spectra. In all water samples the values of: pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, ammonium ions, nitrites, nitrates, chlorides and chemical oxygen demand (CODMn) were below the limits set by the state legislation. In the surface water, high levels of arsenic were found. The sum of calcium and magnesium in the well water was close to or below the recommended minimum level. In this well water, the level of antimony exceeded 10-fold the maximum limit for drinking water and was of the largest concern as this well water has been used for drinking, cooking, and watering of animals and vegetables for a long period of time. This poses a risk of accumulation of this metalloid in the food chain.

Individual Water Sources and their Potential Effect on Human and Animal Health in Environmentally Burdened Region

Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Biophysics

Department of the Environment, Veterinary Legislation and Economy

University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice

Folia Veterinaria

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

The quality of water in a well that serves as an individual drinking water source, located in the Slovakian region previously burdened with mining activities,...

Individual Water Sources and their Potential Effect on Human and Animal Health in Environmentally Burdened Region

Published Online: Oct 06, 2020

Page range: 82 - 94

Received: Jun 22, 2020

Accepted: Aug 18, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/fv-2020-0030

Keywords
antimony, arsenic, drinking water, ground water, health risk, surface water

© 2020 T. Hrušková et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Individual Water Sources and their Potential Effect on Human and Animal Health in Environmentally Burdened Region

Published Online: Oct 06, 2020

Page range: 82 - 94

Received: Jun 22, 2020

Accepted: Aug 18, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/fv-2020-0030

Keywordsantimony, arsenic, drinking water, ground water, health risk, surface water

© 2020 T. Hrušková et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
antimony, arsenic, drinking water, ground water, health risk, surface water