Drinking water in the black sea municipalities in the Dobrich region

Abstract

Introduction: The most common and widespread health risks associated with drinking water are dependent upon geological conditions, natural and anthropogenic chemicals above certain levels,as well as upon pathogenic bacteria, viruses and parasites in it. Aim: To investigate the quality of drinking water in the coast municipalities in the Dobrich region: Balchik, Kavarna and Shabla for a 6-year monitoring period (2008-2013).

Materials and Methods: Data from monitoring joint programs in areas which supply water for the Black Sea coast municipalities: Shabla, Kavarna, Balchik with total beam sampling and testing for chemical and microbiological parameters of drinking water at the tap of the consumer, according to Ordinance 9 regarding the quality of drinking water and such for household purposes (Ren. SG issue 30/2001).

Results: Non-standard samples by municipalities are in a wide range from 6% in 2008 for Balchik to 70% for Kavarna in 2011. Non-standard samples in Kavarna municipality are with permanent deviations in the indicator nitrates in 6 settlements, in the municipality of Shabla-in two settlements, which affects the overall indicator of non-standard values for microbiological and chemical parameters. The water supply network in the municipalities along the Black Sea coast: Shabla, Kavarna and Balchik is more than 40 years old, covering a 110 km length of the coast.

Conclusions: Deviations from the norm in Balchik municipality are 6% for 2009, up to 13% in 2012 and 2013. In Shabla municipality deviations are in the range from 31% for 2009 to 12% in 2013. Kavarna municipality registered deviations from 25.4% in 2009 to 70% in 2011 and 38% and 22% for 2012 and 2013.