A study on drinking water quality in SE Romania

Abstract

Water is a fundamental and indispensable constituent of the human body. Small changes produce serious disorders and insufficient water intake is much less tolerated than in other deficiency. The aim of this work is the study of drinking water quality indicators in selected localities in SE Romania (Galati, Braila, Buzau, and Vrancea counties). Water samples were taken from sources of drinking water (tap water, well water, spring water, filtered tap water with biological filter), frequently used by the population (15 places). They were subjected to chemical and physico-chemical analysis in order to determine the physical, chemical parameters of quality that can have impact on the health of residents. In five water sources (Independenta (tap), Independenta (spring), Lunca/Buzau, Liesti fountain at 40 m depth and Galati (biologically filtered tap water) the pH is below 6.5, a value that does not fit into STAS acquis in force - SR ISO 10523-2009. Oxidability index values in the majority of cases are below the maximum allowed, of 5 mg O2/L water, according to SR EN ISO 8467-2001; in some cases, the values exceed the limits as following: Independenta: 8 mg O2/L; Lunca/Buzau: 10 mg O2/L; Focsani spring: 9 mg O2/L; Focsani tap: 8 mg O2/L; Galati tap: 6 mg O2/L.