THE QUALITY OF DRINKING WATER FROM NATURAL PUBLIC WATER TABS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF VELES FROM A PUBLIC HEALTH ASPECT
Keywords:
Coliform bacteria, Nitrates, Water related diseases, Public HealthAbstract
Introduction: In many urban areas worldwide, drinking water from public water tabs is a widespread practice. However, the water quality of these sources has been questioned by some experts and authorities.
The aim of this paper was to assess the prevalence of unsafe water samples consumed by the citizens of Veles, despite prior notifications regarding their compromised safety.
Materials and methods: The water quality was examined in accordance with the national program for public health. A total of 261 water samples were meticulously tested, encompassing both physical-chemical and microbiological analyses, according to parameters in the Regulation on drinking water safety.
Results: A total of 40 (15%) samples were unsafe in relation to the physico-chemical parameters, because of contamination with nitrates, and 200 (76%) samples were unsafe because of microbiological contamination with E. coli.
Conclusions: The city's natural public water tabs have poor and variable water quality, which makes them unsuitable for human consumption and are a public health hazard. Nevertheless, the residents continue to use them in summer, ignoring the expert opinion that the water is not safe for human consumption. It is advisable to perform hygiene maintenance and disinfection procedures on a regular basis, and to entrust the water supply to a qualified and licensed entity, which would ensure its availability as a backup source in case of emergencies. These findings are useful for local authorities to remove the source of the contamination of the water sources and to integrate them into the municipal water supply network.
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