Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the quality of real samples of drinking water, collected from the territory of the city of Požega and the surrounding rural areas. An analytical technique of inductively coupled plasma with optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was used to determine the concentrations of macro and microelements in water samples. The obtained results were compared with the maximum allowed concentrations of elements specified by the national Regulation on hygienic quality of drinking water, as well as the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The analysed waters were low-mineralized (<1000 mg/L), calcium waters, with low sodium content. The concentrations of all tested elements in the water samples were within the allowed values. There were obvious differences in chemical composition between surface water samples and groundwater samples. All tested waters can be safely used for irrigation, because the risk of soil salinization, sodium accumulation and harmful effects of boron on crops was assessed as insignificant.
Highlights
Water is one of the most important and the most endangered natural resource
The most pronounced difference between the analysed waters is reflected in their mineralization, i.e. the total content of dissolved solids, which in this study was estimated on the basis of measured values of electrical conductivity (EC, in μS/cm) [11]
A detailed survey of the macro and micro elemental composition of real samples of drinking water, collected on the territory of the city of Požega and in the surrounding rural settlements, was conducted in order to assess the usability of water
Summary
Water is one of the most important and the most endangered natural resource. Apart from the continuous growth of the world's population (primarily in urban areas), which has led to increasing consumption of drinking water as a global problem, the accelerated process of urbanization and industrialization are the main reasons for endangering water resources in Serbia. Increasing amounts of water are necessary for the process of food production, as well as for obtaining electricity, which results in increased pollution of aquatic ecosystems throughout our country [2]. Surface waters are a living space for all aquatic organisms, but they are directly jeopardized, as a consequence of the impact of municipal and industrial wastewater. Most freshwaters have a similar chemical composition, which is conditioned by both natural and anthropogenic factors. 5 basic groups of chemical constituents can be distinguished: basic ions (macro components, represented as cations and anions), soluble gases, biogenic substances, organic substances and microelements [3]
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