Evaluation of the quality of drinking water in Rasina district, Serbia: physicochemical and bacteriological viewpoint

Abstract

The water samples from Rasina District (Serbia) were evaluated for principal physical and chemical parameters, as well as for microbiological contaminants. Results were compared to National and World Health Organization (WHO) water quality standards. Several samples contained total organic matter, ammonia, residual chlorine, nitrite, nitrate, iron and manganese above proposed legislation limits. For samples contaminated with faecal bacteria, Streptococcus faecalis, aerobic mesophilic bacteria, coliform bacteria and sulfite-reducing clostridia special attention should be payed to drinking water disinfecting methods. The potential health risks of waterborne diseases due to consumption of water from contaminated sources could be implied.