Determination of priority chemicals of water from centralized supply systems for monitoring water safety

Abstract

Introduction. The analysis of the sanitary and epidemiological situation in the Russian Federation indicates problems in the field of drinking water safety, caused, among other things, by chemical contamination. Due to the wide variety of pollutants, it is necessary to determine the procedure for identifying priority chemical pollutions from the water from centralized supply systems, using health risk criteria. Materials and methods. The analysis of relevant scientific literature and regulatory and methodological documents formed the basis for developing criteria for determining priority chemical pollutants contained in the water from centralized supply systems. A sampling of drinking water was carried out at the start point (water intake) and the endpoint of the distribution network (water tap). The selected water samples were examined using the chromatography-mass spectrometry method. Results. An algorithm for determining the priority chemicals in the water of centralized water supply systems according to the potential hazard and health risk criteria has been developed. Approaches to the identification of possible sources of chemical water pollutants from centralized supply systems were established. According to the results of testing, it was found that three of the 16 chemical water components are potentially dangerous: 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane, pentadecane, and lilial. The presence of pentadecane comes from a water source. Still, it should have eliminated water treatment. The presence of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane and lilial is most likely due to water treatment and water transportation processes through the water supply systems. Conclusion. There are six criteria for determining priority chemical pollutions from the water from centralized supply systems based on hygiene standards compliance, an impact of the chemicals on the environment and the human health, the presence of harmful effects for humans and/or animals, implementation of possible mechanisms for the development of human health disorders and the acceptability of the risk level were proposed. There were identified three priority pollutants in the water from centralized supply systems that can be recommended for further monitoring.