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The paper describes research aimed at expanding scientific knowledge of radioactive isotope 222Rn occurrence in groundwaters flowing in crystalline rocks, including its spatial and temporal changes. The research, conducted in an area characterized by medium radon potential, was intended to determine the values of 222Rn activity concentration in groundwater in this type of areas. The 222Rn activity concentration in groundwaters discharged from investigated springs oscillated between 35.3 and 272.0 Bq/L. The authors discovered possible prevalence of radon groundwaters in areas with medium radon potential, which is the reason why all groundwaters intended for human consumption or household use in such areas should be subject to obligatory monitoring of 222Rn activity concentration. In the event of identifying occurrence of waters with 222Rn activity concentration of at least 100 Bq/L, their purification by removing radon is necessary before they are supplied to a water distribution network. At the same time, the research area can be regarded as an area with potentially medicinal radon water occurrence. Therefore, in areas with medium radon potential, groundwaters which are not suitable as a source of drinking water due to very high 222Rn activity concentration in them can be used as medicinal radon waters in therapeutic treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This publication presents a comparison of the content of pollutants in groundwater samples taken at 117 measurement points in four regions of Poland during a drought period and in the reference period without drought. Based on the chemical analyses of water, an assessment of the health risk resulting from the use of underground water for consumption was carried out. The study aimed to determine whether drought affects the increase in health risk exposure of the population. It was found that despite the occurrence of drought, the expected increase in the concentration of pollutants in water does not take place in all locations. This study found that in some cases the occurrence of drought did not cause an increase in the non-cancerogenic threat expressed by the hazard index. There were also no clear changes in excess lifetime cancer risk values except for selected measurement points. On the other hand, the statistical analysis of all data collected in the regions where the research was conducted showed a general trend of increasing environmental health risk caused by changes in groundwater pollution during drought., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

The present paper describes the problem and effects of water scarcity and the possibility of rational use of this resource in the idea of a Circular Economy (CE) and sustainable development. Rational water management requires innovation, due to the growing demand for this raw material. It seems that water is widely available, e.g., in Poland, there is no problem with drought. Unfortunately, Polish water resources are shrinking and modern solutions, as well as the construction of new and modernisation of old infrastructure, are some of the few solutions that can protect against a shortage of potable water. Water is also an essential resource for economic development. It is used in every sector of the economy. Limited water resources lead to an inevitable energy transformation because, in its present state, the Polish energy industry consumes huge amounts of water. Due to the above statements, the authors propose a solution in the form of an interactive shower panel that contributes to more rational water management (e.g., in households or hotels) based on the latest technological achievements. This device enables the creation of water consumption statistics based on accurate liquid flow measurements and the transfer of data to the user's mobile device. This innovation aims to make the user aware of the amount of water used, which in turn can contribute to lower water consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper assumes that the measure of the loss of safety in water distribution is the risk related to the occurrence of some undesired events such as the failure to meet certain (required) water quality conditions (that may have negative impacts on the consumer health), or a severe disruption of the water supply services. In this aspect, risk is assessed using the expected value of losses (hazardous effects) that may occur as a result of the occurrence of the undesirable events. A comparison of the determined values with the risk acceptability criteria is the basis for the safety assessment. The analysis was made based on the available operational data of the water supply subsystem. The analysis covered the period from 2011 to the third quarter of 2021 and was prepared on the basis of available physicochemical and microbiological analyses of water performed at the water and microbiology laboratory of the considered water supply system in Poland’s Subcarpathian Province. A novel approach to risk analysis of the loss of safety in water supply system taking into account the occurrence of some undesired events was achieved. The estimated value of the risk level, under the given operating conditions, indicates that there is no real threat to water consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents results of research on the dynamics of changes in the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in selected lotic water bodies. Samples were collected in four time frames. The research involved surface water samples collected from three rivers in Poland: the Liwiec, the Muchawka and the Bug. The largest of them is the Bug River, which comprises the Liwiec River. The Liwiec River, in turn, encompasses the Muchawka River. The research was carried out using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The highest mean total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentration of 184.4 ± 58.3 ng dm-3 was obtained in January in water samples collected from the Bug River, while the lowest concentration was recorded in September in water collected from the Muchawka River and was 46.5 ± 18.1 ng dm-3. The obtained values do not exceed the permissible limits for surface water used as a source of drinking water for human consumption in accordance with the regulation of the Minister of Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation of 29 August 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrates are a group of compounds widely distributed in the natural environment with many applications in various industries. Due to their ambiguous impact on the human body and suspicions of their carcinogenic activity, they have been very popular for decades and are the subject of research by many scientists in the field of medicine, biology and chemistry. Due to the need to monitor their content in environmental and food samples, various methods for their determination are developed. This paper proposes the use of a nitrate ion‐sensitive ion selective electrode with a membrane containing as the active ingredient a new cobalt(II) complex with 4,7‐diphenyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline (Bphen) of the formula Co(Bphen)2(NO3)2(H2O)2. The obtained sensor showed the theoretical slope of the characteristic curve, a wide measuring range, as well as short response time and very good potential stability. It was successfully used for the determination of nitrates in real samples: in mineral water, tap water and river water from eastern Poland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical produced in large quantities for use primarily in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. As an endocrine disrupting compound, it has been included in the list of substances requiring special supervision as a very high-risk substance due to its toxic influence on reproduction. BPA with a reference value of 0.01 μg/L was included in the Drinking Water Directive revision (DWD 2018). This paper presents the results of preliminary studies aimed at identifying the occurrence of BPA in different types of water, i.a. groundwater captured with house wells or flowing wells in a selected location in southern Poland. These waters are commonly used as a source of water intended for human consumption and their quality is not regularly controlled. Additional tests were carried out for surface water, as well as water from springs used for drinking purposes. The authors also analysed tap water from various sources, i.e. surface and groundwater, as the final product of the drinking water production cycle. The results indicate the presence of BPA in water and the necessity of a detailed study on the risk of the BPA occurring in groundwater, especially in domestic wells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population exposure to endocrine disrupting chemical- bisphenols, which are used commonly in food containers and drinking water pipes in Europe, is above acceptable health and safety levels, according to updated research data. In order to evaluate the most abundant potential migrants in canned sweetened beverages marketed in Poland, we performed the HPLC-MS screening test of the migrants present in the can coating material. The analyzed samples represented the three top-ranked companies of the global soft drink market; it is reasonable to assume that the obtained data are of global validity. The tested can coatings and beverages contained bisphenols conjugates such as five butoxyethanol (BuOEtOH) adducts with bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE), one butoxyethanol adduct with bisphenol A monoglycidyl ether (BAMGE), and cyclo-di-BADGE. The performed HPLC-MS/MS analysis in the MRM mode enabled evaluation of the concentrations of the detected conjugates in canned beverages which were found to be very low, namely at the level of 1 µg/L. On the other hand, the high consumption of canned beverages may yield a risk associated with the presence of these compounds in the diet. The subsequent HPLC-QTOF-MS/MS experiments allowed, for the first time, a detailed determination of the fragmentation pathways of the detected migrants as well as detection of the isomers of the two migrants, namely BADGE + BuOEtOH and BADGE + BuOEtOH + HCl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Archives of Environmental Protection is the property of Polish Academy of Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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Drinking water sources contain a range of natural or anthropogenic substances, which even in relatively small concentrations need to be removed in order to complete sharpening drinking water standards. Among them, aluminum is one of the elements, which can migrate to drinking water sources by means of elution from natural rocks, as a result of discharge of wastewater containing it or as a result of aluminum-based coagulation treatment processes. In Polish regulation, the permissible amount of aluminum in drinking water is established at 0.2 mg Al/L. On the other hand, in Poland, there appear natural water sources of excellent water quality, which, however, are characterized by elevated aluminum content. In this paper, the research on the removal of aluminum by nanofiltration and ultrafiltration combined with coagulation is discussed. The obtained results suggest that either nanofiltration or ultrafiltration combined with coagulation may be used for effective removal of contaminant from drinking water, regardless of its initial concentration (up to 5 mg Al/L for nanofiltration feed, and up to 18 mg Al/L for ultrafiltration feed), the permeate parameters correspond to drinking water quality standards. The selection between suggested processes depends on the final economic effect related to membrane fouling and cleaning procedures and frequency, the investigation of which has not been the subject of the presented research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of pharmaceuticals in drinking water, even at very low concentrations, has raised concerns among stakeholders such as drinking-water regulators, governments, water suppliers and the public, with regard to the potential risks to humans. Despite this, the occurrence and the fate of pharmaceuticals in drinking waters of many countries (e.g. in Poland) remains unknown. There is a lack of sufficiently sensitive and reliable analytical methods for such analyses and a need for more in-depth hydrogeological analysis of the possible sources of drug residues in drinking water. In this paper, a multi-residual method for the simultaneous determination of seventeen human pharmaceuticals in drinking waters has been developed. Large-volume extractions using Speedisk extraction disks, and derivatization prior to GC-MS-SIM analysis using a new silylating agent DIMETRIS were applied. The method detection limits (MDLs) ranged from 0.9 to 5.7ng/L and the absolute recoveries of the target compounds were above 80% for most analytes. The developed method was successfully applied in the analysis of the target compounds in drinking water collected in Gdansk (Poland), and of the 17 pharmaceuticals, 6 compounds were detected at least once. During the investigation, the geomorphology of the site region was taken into account, possible sources of pharmaceuticals in the analysed drinking water samples were investigated, and the presence of the drugs in ground and surface waters, raw and treated drinking waters was determined. Concentrations were also compared with those observed in other countries. As a result, this study has not only developed a new analytical method for determining pharmaceuticals in drinking waters as well as rendering missing information for Poland (a country with one of the highest consumptions of pharmaceuticals in Europe), but it also presents a modelled in-depth hydrogeological analysis of the real sources of drugs in drinking waters., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Water from underground intakes is the main source of potable water for people in Poland, hence the protection of its resources is of great importance for the functioning of society and the economy. A new regulation in Polish Water Law imposes the obligation of performing risk analysis for water intakes, including the assessment of health hazards, factors negatively affecting water quality which are identified on the basis of hydrogeological and geological analyses. The main objective of the study was to determine the health risk for chlorides and to present an innovative approach to the health risk for non-toxic substances. In Upper Silesia, which is the most industrialized and urbanized area in Poland, old mining shafts are often used as deep wells in the water supply chain, and higher mineralization is the key feature of abstracted water which does not quite eliminate them as a source of drinking water supply. This paper proposes a new method of health risk determination as hazard index (HI). We present analysis of the health risks with increased concentration of chlorides in water which cause health effects for water consumers, especially for men, children aged 4-8, pregnant women and women during lactation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water is one of the most important resources found on Earth, essential for all forms of life. Both the quantity and quality of water resources are crucial for the health of the population and for economic sectors, making water a factor in determining a society's standard of living. Mine water serves as an appealing source of both drinking and technological water. Regardless of the exploitation method, it must be pumped to the surface and, usually, treated to meet environmental standards. In most cases, it is discharged to rivers. In this article, we present a model of the use of mine water from three pumping stations of decommissioned coal mines in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin—Jan Kanty, Saturn, and Boże Dary. Water from these pumping stations is characterized by good qualitative and quantitative parameters. The results of the physico-chemical composition analyses carried out in the years 2012–2022 did not reveal any excessive amounts of toxic components or treatment difficulties. Given the long operational lifespan of these pumping stations and their existing water extraction infrastructure, they emerge as promising sources of both potable and industrial water supply, demanding minimal treatment efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the activity concentrations of radium isotopes ((226)Ra, (228)Ra) and chemical compositions of above 70 mineral water samples collected from several dozens of springs and boreholes localized in the Polish Outer Carpathians. The activity concentrations of both radium isotopes clearly increase with the increase of water TDS, but decrease when the SO(4)(2-) content increases. These concentrations vary in the broad interval from a few to near 1000 mBq/L. The coefficient of the linear correlation between concentrations of these isotopes amounts to 0.85, and the activity ratio (226)Ra/(228)Ra is >1 for chloride-sodium waters, being ≈1 for hydrogen-carbonate and <1 for the sulfate ones., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Systems for rainwater collection, storage and utilization are commonly used in many countries as sources of reduced quality water to be used in a sanitary network system of buildings and for watering, among others. In Poland, despite its potable water resources being almost the lowest in Europe, rainwater is utilized in a very limited manner. This paper presents a simulation model, as well as the results of analysis, evaluating the potential for utilizing rainwater under Polish climatic conditions, for utilizing various parameters of rainwater-usage systems based on the precipitation data for the last decade. The economies of applying such systems in Poland are analysed, and the factors that restrict development of water catchment methods are defined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses groundwater pollution and the potential presence of pesticides within the catchment areas of two reservoirs that are sources of drinking water. The two reservoirs are Goczałkowice and Kozłowa Góra, both in Southern Poland. Agricultural and rural areas dominate both catchments. Archival data showed local groundwater contamination with nitrates. This indicated the possible presence of pesticides in shallow groundwater. In total, 13 groundwater samples from shallow sandy aquifers were collected. All the samples were tested for the presence of 35 organophosphate pesticides and 28 organochlorine pesticides. Additionally, in order to determine the current groundwater conditions, physicochemical parameters were measured in the field, and water samples were subjected to analysis of their chemical composition (incl. the determination of nitrates). The research outcomes showed that pesticides were not detected above the detection limits in any of the samples. Due to variations in the persistence and degradation rates of pesticides, the occurrence of these substances in the groundwater environment and the possibility of their migration to aquifers should not be completely excluded. Natural processes and factors (e.g., sorption, biodegradation, hydrolysis and redox conditions) may gradually reduce the pesticide concentrations in groundwater. The chemical analyses revealed high concentrations of nitrates in the groundwater. This suggests the possible influence of agriculture and fertilizer application on groundwater quality; however, a proportion of NO3- ions may be connected with improper sewage management within the two catchments. The absence of pesticides in groundwater impacted by agriculture may result from processes occurring in the aquifer and the rapid degradation of these compounds due to photolysis and prevailing weather conditions. In the vicinity of dwellings, nitrates also originate from domestic wastewater. Thus, the occurrence of pesticides in groundwater contaminated with NO3 cannot always be expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sediments from three rivers in south-western Poland and their tributaries were used in a laboratory experiment on metal (Al, Cu, Ni, Cd, Zn, Fe, Mn) release. Metal migration was studied under different pH (pH 3.93, pH 7.29, pH 9.59) during 96 h. Al concentration was the highest in Bystrzyca and lowest in Strzegomka; other metal concentrations were highest in Nysa Szalona and lowest in Strzegomka. The values of pH and electrolytic conductivity increase throughout the experiment in acidic and neutral environments. Water pH decrease was observed under alkaline conditions, but conductivity reached higher values with time. The aluminum release showed an increase in values followed by a decrease. The highest aluminum amounts were released from the sediment from Nysa Szalona and the lowest from Strzegomka. The greatest aluminum migration was observed in the acidic medium. Similar observations were made for Mn and Zn: Strzegomka < Nysa Szalona < Bystrzyca. For Cu, Cd, Fe and Ni, the highest values were recorded in sediments in alkaline conditions. The amount of metals migrating from sediments to water remains at a similar level as presented by other researchers. More metals are released under acidic conditions. The most intensive migration of metals is noted at the beginning of the experiment. This experiment shows the existing trend of metals migration from the sediments to the over-bottom water, which is important from the point of view of the use of water for drinking purposes. Satisfactorily, the sediments in varied environments behave predictably enough that the quality of raw water under these conditions is not compromised, which is confirmed by environmental and health standards. The research performed concerns a specific area of southwestern Poland, for which this type of research has not been conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issue of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in the water environment has gained increasing interest worldwide. To determine the nature and extent of this problem for Poland, this paper presents a review of research on the presence of PPCPs in Poland, looking at results for different water samples, including wastewater (before and after treatment), landfill leachate, surface water (standing water bodies and rivers), seawater, groundwater and drinking water. The review is based on over 50 scientific articles and dissertations referring to studies of PPCPs. It also briefly outlines possible sources and the fate of PPCPs in the aquatic environment. The review of Polish research has revealed that studies have previously covered at least 39 PPCP groups (270 compounds in total). These studies focused mainly on wastewater and rivers, and only a few concerned landfill leachate and seawater. They most often reported on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics. The highest concentrations of the analysed PPCPs were found mainly in raw wastewater (e.g., naproxen, up to 551,960 ng/L), but they were also occasionally found in surface water (e.g., azithromycin, erythromycin, irbesartan and metoprolol) and in groundwater (e.g., N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, known as DEET, up to 17,280 ng/L). Extremely high concentrations of bisphenol A (up to 2,202,000 ng/L) and diclofenac (up to 108,340 ng/L) were found in landfill leachate. Although numerous substances have been detected, PPCPs are still not monitored regularly, which makes it difficult to obtain a clear understanding of their incidence in the water environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the quality of rainwater and the possibility of using it for various purposes in the Roztocze National Park (RNP), Poland. This study was carried out in 2021–2022. Samples of rainwater that drained from the roofs of farm buildings in the RNP were tested for their organoleptic, physicochemical and microbiological qualities. The organoleptic tests were run to evaluate the water for a foreign odour and the threshold odour number. The physical and chemical tests included turbidity; colour; pH; conductivity; concentrations of ammonium ions, nitrates, nitrites, manganese, iron and chlorides; and general hardness. The microbiological tests included total microbial counts at 36 °C and 22 °C, coliform bacteria, Escherichia coli, intestinal enterococci and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The rainwater quality results were compared with the quality parameters of surface water collected from the River Świerszcz, as well as with the Polish drinking water standards. The findings indicated that rainwater collected in the RNP had good organoleptic, physicochemical and microbiological properties, which, in some cases, complied with the standards for potable water. Exceedances of the permissible limits, mainly for ammonium ions and microbiological indicators, were periodically observed in the tested rainwater. This was probably due to contamination of roof surfaces with bird droppings. However, these exceedances did not exclude the use of the rainwater for economic purposes, e.g., flushing toilets, washing vehicles or watering plants, which may significantly reduce the abstraction of high-quality groundwater. The rainwater that is planned to be used as drinking water for the Polish konik horses living in the park will have to be pre-treated via filtration and disinfection processes (e.g., with a UV lamp). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drinking water is subjected to several stages of treatment, but it can still retain residues of endocrine-disrupting compounds. These include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The aim of this study was to assess the efficiency of water and wastewater treatment processes on reducing residues of endocrine-disrupting PCB congeners in drinking water and treated wastewater. The analyses were performed with liquid–liquid extraction and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. PCB congener residues were found in 18% of the drinking water samples. The water treatment process reduced the content of these compounds within a wide range of 4% to 100%. Estimates of consumer exposure to these compounds from drinking water consumption accounted for as much as 30% of the tolerable weekly intake (TWI). The wastewater treatment process reduced the concentration of PCB congeners by 38–98%, with trace contents in the treated wastewater (from 0.02 · 10–6 to 6.21 · 10–6 mg/l). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Vistula is the longest river in Poland. It stretches from the Silesian Beskids to the Gulf of Gdańsk. Water from the Vistula is the source of drinking water for many cities and is used in industry, and therefore its quality and microbiological purity is an important issue. The quality of water in the Vistula depends, among others, on the quality of water in its basin. The aim of this study is to assess microbiological hazard to the Vistula waters from its tributaries in the vicinity of Kraków. The analyses were carried out on 10 tributaries of the Vistula: Prądnik, Dłubnia, Drwina Długa, Drwinka, Raba, Uszewka, Szreniawa, Uszwica, Kisielina, and Dunajec. The examinations were carried out in four series, from May 2012 to March 2013. The numbers of coliforms, faecal coliforms, Enterococcusfaecalis, and sulphate reducing Clostridium were determined using the membrane filtration method, while the serial dilutions method was used to determine the numbers of mesophilic and psychrophilic bacteria, Staphylococcus and Salmonella. There was a large variation in the number of microorganisms in the examined watercourses, however in most cases the water could be classified as clean, whereas waters of the Vistula in the vicinity of Kraków are microbiologically contaminated. Thus, the examined watercourses do not pose a serious threat to the quality of the Vistula. Among the analyzed tributaries, the waters of the Prądnik were characterized by the worst sanitary condition, while the best microbiological quality was observed in the Dunajec. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of our research was to show efficiency of the micro-sieves during the water treatment process in the water treatment plant (WTP) in Zawada near the city of Zielona Góra, Poland. This paper presents changes in water quality after particle-filtration (filtration above 10 µm).The samples were collected in the Zawada WTP from January to December. The reduction of the amount of phytoplankton, including cyanobacteria, caused by micro-sieves varied throughout 2009 and was between 21.2 and 93.3%. The maximum concentration of cyanobacteria in raw water was observed May 6 and amounted to about 400,000 org. (organisms)/L and microcystins (MCs) content in raw water was below 0.2 µg/L and were absent in potable water. That day we observed a reduction of cyanobacteria after particle-filtration amounted to 83% and reduction of phytoplankton 84%. The particle-filtration process reduced organoleptic water parameters: color, turbidity, and total suspended solids. As a result of the decrease of suspend content, decreases of iron, manganese, and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents results of analyses of water in the river Mala Panew in South West Poland flowing through a rural area with some chemical industry developed. The aims of the work were to investigate the pollutants level in the river, compare the obtained results with obligatory drinking water standards and determine possible health effects when using the river as a source for drinking water production. Attention was given to nitrogen compounds as nitrate(V) ions (NO3-) and nitrite(III) ions (NO2-), mostly of anthropogenic origin, were detected in the monitored water. The average concentrations of NO3- and NO2- were 3.54 and 0.286 mg/dm3, respectively. The chances for noncarcinogenic effects, namely methemoglobinemia, resulting from possible exposure to the examined chemicals were determined based on the analytical and toxicological data. As infants are the subpopulation most susceptible to nitrate-induced methemoglobinemia, the assessment was limited to children aged 0-3 years. The determined values expressed by hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) indicate that the water pollutants and their concentrations do not exceed unity; however, in the case of infants, the other nitrate sources should be controlled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study shows the importance of drinking water monitoring using simple but powerful visualization tools to better understand spatial variations in water quality. The paper reports Chernoff's Faces visualization approach applied for the classification of drinking water samples collected at twelve various districts of Gdańsk (Poland), over the period 1993-2000. A good visualization should give the viewer a rapid understanding of the data and the phenomenon behind the data. The complex data matrix containig 1756 results of determination of disinfection by-products (THMs: CHCl3, CHBrCl2+C2HCl3, CHBr2Cl, CHBr3 and organohalogen compounds: CCl4, CH2Cl2, C2Cl4, C2H3Cl3) was successfully treated with Chernoff's approach, yielding two different groups of similarity among the sampling sites, and reflecting different types of drinking water supplies (surface and groundwater). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

European Union Council Directive 2013/51/EURATOM recently sets out so-called indicator parameters for: radon, tritium and indicative dose of water intended for human consumption. The aim of this research was to elaborate an effective procedure for determination of radon and radium 226,228Ra isotopes (which are potentially the main contributors to the internal dose from drinking and cooking water) and to find the possible relationships between these radionuclides in underground water reservoirs and 222Rn concentration in the soil gas in their vicinity. The research was performed by applying a non-volatile and water-immiscible scintillation cocktail based on a pure diisopropylnaphthalene (Ultima Gold F: UGF), which allow for efficient radon extraction from 0.5 dm3 of water samples to 20 cm3 of scintillation phase and its direct determination with a detection limit of 5 × 10–3 Bq dm−3. The further preliminary concentration of 3 dm3 of crude water samples by evaporation to 0.5 dm3 samples led to the removal of all unsupported 222Rn activity and allowed the 226Ra determination via equivalent 222Rn detection after one-month samples storage using a low-background Triathler liquid scintillation counter in the α/β separation counting mode. Together with determination of 226Ra isotope in water samples, the simultaneous measurements of 228Ra and 222Rn radionuclides concentrations in water as well as 222Rn activity in the soil gas around the water supply sites were performed. The achieved limit of 226Ra detection was at a very low level of 10–3 Bq dm−3. The measured values of 226Ra concentration in 50 public underground water supply units for the Kalisz district of Poland were relatively low and ranged from below detection limit to 28.5 × 10–3 Bq dm−3 with arithmetic mean and median values of 12.9 and 12.2 × 10–3 Bq dm−3, respectively. Weak correlations were observed between activity concentrations of 226Ra and 222Rn in the crude water samples (R2 = 0.31) and 222Rn in water and its concentration in the nearby soil gas (R2 = 0.48). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The harmfull effects of glyphosate (N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine) on animal and human health was stated by many researchers. The studies on such effects concerned mainly the people exposed to herbicides. In the environment, glyphosate remains relatively stable, with half-life ranged between a few days to several months or even a year in field studies, depending on soil composition. As this herbicide the widely used all over the world, the monitoring its concentration in everyday food becomes necessary. The aim of the study was to estimate the glyphosate levels in tap water samples collected from different Water Treatment Plants in Greater Poland region. The concentration of glyphosate was measured in 66 randomly collected drinking water samples from separate Water Treatment Plants. Measurements were done using two analytical techniques: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and high-performance liquid chromatography technique. Levels of glyphosate in the tested samples were low (0.15±0.07 µg/L). Both assays have been found well suited to the analysis of glyphosate concentrations in the drinking water. The concentration of glyphosate in the tap water is very low, and could be discarded in estimation of daily intake of this herbicide in Great Poland region. So, it is unlikely that drinking water from Water Treatment Plants can be important source of glyphosate contamination in urbanized populations compared to vegetables, fruit and other possible sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water, as one of the main media of human existence on earth, is the basis of the functioning of most societies. This article discusses various activities related to water resource management and analyzes the evaluation of selected quality parameters of tap water in Poland and Ukraine. The aim of the manuscript was to compare opinions on tap water quality and habits of its use in Poland and Ukraine, taking into account different seasons of the year as periods of use of supplied water. The hypothesis of the study was that tap water parameters are evaluated differently in Poland and Ukraine at different times of water supply. Due to the complexity of research aspects, a mixed-methods research procedure was used, in which a literature review was combined with a survey and statistical analysis. For the purpose of the survey, the authors' questionnaire "Survey of customers' opinions on selected parameters of tap water supplied in Poland and Ukraine" was created. The results of the research confirmed the hypothesis and allowed for the development a model for the evaluation of parameters of tap water supplied on the territory of Poland and Ukraine and to get to know the expectations of customers of these countries. The presented model provides practical indications that can be used to optimize water supply and meet customers' expectations, including improvement of water quality parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drinking water is the essential medium for food production, and is also needed for direct consumption; while it must be free of harmful substances, it also must have a composition that is beneficial to health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of water and wastewater treatment on reducing the concentrations of zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As) in the Western Pomerania Voivodeship in Poland. The research was carried out in 2017–2019. The analysis was performed with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrophotometry (ICP-AES). The concentrations of trace elements in drinking water were below maximum acceptable concentrations (MACs). Reductions in the most dangerous elements during water treatment fluctuated from 48.5% (As) to 97% (Pb). Wastewater treatment reduced the concentrations of analyzed elements by a range of 28.6 to 60.8%, and the most toxic elements (Pb and As) by over 50%. Trace element concentrations in treated wastewater were below MAC values, and ranged from 1.15% (Pb) to 6.23% (As) of MACs for toxic elements. The concentrations of both essential elements (Zn, Ni, Fe, Mn, Cu) and toxic elements (Pb, As) in drinking water were below the MACs. Water treatment had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on decreasing trace element concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Chlorophenols are widely represented, toxic, and persistent environmental pollutants. In this work, we analyzed annual fluctuations in the content of phenol, guaiacol, chlorophenols, chlorocatechols, and chlorinated methoxyphenols in drinking water collected in Warsaw and Tomaszów Mazowiecki (Poland). Moreover, the effect of dissolved organic matter content on the occurrence of phenolic compounds in drinking water was studied. Methods: The compounds were adsorbed on octadecyl C18 solid-phase discs, separated by the use of gas chromatography, and analyzed using mass spectrometry. The content of organic matter was evaluated by the analysis of UV absorption at 254 nm by water samples. In Warsaw, raw water (derived from infiltration intakes situated in the Vistula River) and treated water (subjected to coagulation, filtration, and disinfection with chlorine dioxide) were collected in order to analyze phenols. In Tomaszów Mazowiecki, raw water (taken directly form the river) and treated water (subjected to coagulation, sand filtration, ozonation, and disinfection with gaseous chlorine) were taken to determine phenolic substances. Results and conclusions: The obtained results showed the occurrence of phenol, guaiacol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP), tetrachlorophenol (TeCP), and pentachlorophenol in drinking water of both cities. Occasionally, in the waters studied, the appearance of chloroguaiacols, 3-chlorosyringol, and some chlorocatechols were noted. It was also observed that the content of dissolved organic matter in river waters may have contributed to the formation of some phenols, e.g., phenol, guaiacol, 2,4,6-TCP, and TeCP in drinking water. Finally, it was found that there were no annual (seasonal) fluctuations in phenolic compounds contents in drinking waters examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to assess exposure of children to copper (Cu) from household drinking water (DW). DW samples were collected between 1997 and 2004 in ∼650 households and pre-schools using a double-sampling method (morning - W1; evening - W2). The study group comprised ∼300 children (5-7 years old) living in Krakow (urban, peripheral) and rural areas in southern Poland. Cu concentrations were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. There was no significant relationship between the sampling period and Cu concentration, but statistically significant differences were found between urban and non-urban (rural, peripheral) sites and between morning and evening samples. Geometric means of Cu concentration in evening DW (95% confidence interval, in μg L-1) were 8 (1-110), 20 (1-274) and 12 (0-364) in urban, peripheral and rural sites, respectively. DW contamination after overnight standing was comparable in all sites (average increase ∼20 μg Cu L-1). The adopted threshold of 100 μg Cu L-1 was exceeded in evening DW by 3.6 and 15% in urban and non-urban households, respectively. Exceedance of the EC limit (2 mg L-1) was not significant. The mean predicted contribution of evening DW to Cu intake by children were 18-37 μg day-1 or 0.8-1.6 μg kg-1 bw day-1 but were 2-3-fold higher for morning DW. The Polish RDA (1 mg Cu day-1) was exceeded for morning (evening) DW in 3.7 (0.2)% of children, with a mean intake of 159 (118)% of RDA. The observed copper levels and predicted intakes can be considered low and should not raise nutritional or toxicological concerns for the age group studied. Nevertheless, due to overnight contamination, the suggestion that the stagnant portion of drinking water should be discarded remains valid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the problem of natural hazards connected with climatic changes and their influence on water safety. A medium-sized town in central Poland which is supplied with consumption water from both underground water intakes and surface water resources was selected as a case study. Natural hazards, such as droughts or floods, were identified and the risk of the occurrence of natural hazards concerning water supply systems assessed. The findings of the archived data analysis for the period 1971–2020 helped to identify extreme circumstances, the occurrence of which had an impact on secure water supplies in terms of quantity. Moreover, the results obtained indicate that the greatest influence had all the situations connected with the Drwęca low water discharge, which in the long term could lead to temporary water shortages. In the analyzed period, there was a significant increase in the number of days without precipitation, together with a statistically significant increase in the average annual air temperature. Meteorological hazards related to days without precipitation far outweighed the occurrence of days with intense precipitation. The analysis of water table fluctuations observed at the Jedwabno infiltration intake showed a high sensitivity of the aquifer to atmospheric conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: The influence of tap water fittings construction and internal pipe-work on the release of heavy metals was investigated. (2) Methods: A statistical approach was applied for the examination of the chemistry of tap water in five different cities in southern Poland. In total, 500 samples were collected (from 100 to 101 samples in each city). The sampling protocol included information on the construction of the water supply network and the physicochemical parameters of measured tap water. (3) Results: The statistical analysis allowed to extract the crucial factors that affect the concentrations of trace elements in tap water. Age of connection, age of tap, age of pipe-work as well as material of connection, material of pipe-work and material of appliance reveal the most significant variability of concentrations observed for As, Al, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn. Calculated cancer risks (CRs) decrease with the following order of analysed elements Ni > Cd > Cr > As = Pb and can be associated with the factors that affect the appearance of such elements in tap water. The hazard index (HI) was evaluated as negligible in 59.1% of the sampling points and low in 40.1% for adults. For children, a high risk was observed in 0.2%, medium in 9.0%, negligible in 0.4%, and low for the rest of the analysed samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractA simple statistical model for the Langelier Saturation Index has been developed for all drinking water intakes supplying Cracow. The model has been tested by comparison with the solution of the set of equations governing calcium carbonate equilibria. A high degree of agreement with the results of calculations was achieved, including not only the ionic strength of water solutions but also the so-called ion-pair effects. The model is summarised by simple formulae, which can be used for manual calculation of the Langelier Saturation Index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Security of supply of water, which meets the quality parameters specified in applicable standards, is now the basis for the functioning of most societies. In addition to climatic, biological, chemical, and physical hazards, it is worth paying attention to consumers' subjective perception of the quality of tap water supplied in the area of Poland. The article discusses various activities related to water resources management and analyses the results of an evaluation of selected quality parameters of tap water in Poland. A novelty on a European scale here is an examination of the evaluation of these parameters based on potential seasonal differences (spring, summer, autumn, winter). For the first time in the world literature, PROFIT analysis was used to evaluate selected parameters of tap water quality. The aim of the article was to present a model for the evaluation of the parameters of tap water supplied in different seasons of the year in Poland. Due to the complexity of the research aspects, a mixed-methods research procedure was used in which a literature review was combined with a survey and statistical analysis. For the purpose of the survey, an original survey questionnaire called "Survey of customer opinions on selected parameters of tap water supplied in Poland" was developed especially for this study. The conducted research confirmed the adopted hypothesis that the results of evaluation of selected tap water parameters vary depending on the period (spring, summer, autumn, winter) in Poland. The model developed by means of PROFIT analysis makes it possible to highlight to water suppliers the specific quality parameters in particular seasons of the year (spring, summer, autumn, winter), which may improve the quality of water supplied in Poland and thus, in the long-term perspective, increase the level of satisfaction of water recipients and confidence in drinking tap water in Poland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most significant source of nitrate pollution in the European Union (EU) is attributed to agricultural activities, which threaten drinking water, marine, and freshwater resources. The Nitrates Directive is a key feature of the Water Framework Directive (WFD), which seeks to reduce nitrate pollution from agricultural sources. Yet, weak compliance by Member States (MS) diminishes the legitimacy of the EU environmental acquis and undermines efforts to achieve environmental objectives. This study examines the nitrate management discourse in Poland to identify influencing factors that impact governance capacity and overall compliance performance. The empirical investigation is based on nine stakeholder interviews, three written correspondences, and a literature review that collectively comprise an evaluation study. A comparison in governance approaches between Poland and Denmark provides a calibration in assessing performance respective to another MS. The findings categorize both Poland and Denmark as "laggard" in WFD compliance. This case contributes new insights in identifying 6 enabling and 13 constraining factors affecting the ability of MS to fulfill their implementation duties. The findings demonstrate that divergent stakeholder views based on historical and cultural norms require a differentiated approach tailored to domestic conditions for effective fulfillment of the objectives set forth in EU environmental legislation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of nitrogen compounds significantly affects the quality of water intended for human consumption. The maximum contaminant level (MCL) of nitrogen in potable water in Poland was set up as follows: -0.5 and , . For this reason, the objective of the study was to monitor the chemical composition of water as a priority basis for the water quality information system to provide consumers with water that meets the appropriate health and quality standards. The results of a multiyear study (1992-2003) carried out in four regions and at 12 monitoring sites in northern Poland showed and levels significantly below MCL limits. Low nitrate concentrations in water drawn from Quaternary water-bearing horizons indicate the absence of point sources of pollution. Ammonia levels exceeded MCL values at every monitoring site. Supernormal ammonia concentrations in raw water are indicative of the natural origin of ammonia ions. They are correlated with the depth of the water-bearing horizon, and they occur when nitrate and nitrite levels are low. Following water treatment, the drop in nitrogen levels differed at every monitoring point. The highest reduction was noted in the Żuławy Water Mains (ŻWM) where the average concentrations decreased from in raw water to in treated water. In general, the highest drop in ammonia ion levels was reported in water samples which were marked by the highest initial ammonia concentrations. A secondary increase in ammonia concentrations was observed during the process of water distribution to consumers, subject to the type and age of the distribution network. The results of this study indicate that water quality has to be closely monitored for the needs of public health protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]