Risk Assessment of Water Intakes in South-Eastern Poland in Relation to the WHO Requirements for Water Safety Plans

Dawid Szpak,Izabela Piegdoń,Barbara Tchórzewska-Cieślak,Janusz R Rak,Krzysztof Boryczko,Jakub Żywiec

doi:10.3390/resources10100105

Dawid Szpak, Izabela Piegdoń + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/resources10100105

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Abstract

Since 2017, risk assessments for water intakes in Poland have provided the basis for decisions to establish indirect water protection zones. The preventive, risk-based approach and the related risk minimization measures are required under the provisions of the Drinking Water Directive (DWD) of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2020 on the quality of water intended for human consumption. This approach is in line with the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for water safety plans. The aim of this study was to present a methodology and to carry out a risk assessment of the threats to surface water intakes, which in Poland, should be completed by the end of 2022. Risk assessments were performed for four onshore-type surface water intakes located in south-eastern Poland. The results were presented in aggregate form, which enabled clear presentation and conclusions. It was found that the greatest risks are associated with seasonal changes in water quality (mainly high turbidity and water blooms), unregulated sewage management, the occurrence of floodwater flows and catastrophic events caused by the potential failure of wastewater treatment plants. Based on the results of the risk assessment, the need to establish new, or to adjust the existing, protection zones for the analyzed water intakes was identified.

Highlights

IntroductionAccess to safe drinking water is essential to health, a basic human right, and is a component of an effective health protection policy
Received: 14 July 2021 creativecommons.org/licenses/by/Access to safe drinking water is essential to health, a basic human right, and is a component of an effective health protection policy
In accordance with the Water Law [8], which regulates the intake protection zones in Poland, a protection zone that includes an area of direct protection and an area of indirect protection is based on a risk analysis that includes an assessment of the health hazards resulting from the way the land is development, hydrological documentation analysis and the results of water quality analysis

Summary

Introduction

Access to safe drinking water is essential to health, a basic human right, and is a component of an effective health protection policy. Water supply systems (WSS) are critical infrastructure [1]. The main task of a WSS is to provide consumers with drinking water in adequate quantity, with the required quality and pressure corresponding to current standards. Due to the large spatial extent of water supplies and the diversity and age of the materials used, WSSs are difficult to operate effectively [3,4,5,6]. The water-pipe network is an expanded technical system, and its reliable operation depends on many internal factors (structure, material, conditions of hydraulic flow)

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