Provision of Safe Drinking Water to the Local Population within the Clean Water Project Implemented in the Penza Region

Abstract

Introduction: Drinking water from centralized drinking water supply systems is not always safe due to its natural pollution with various chemicals and microbiological contamination occurring in the distribution system. In this regard, the role of the service exercising governmental water quality surveillance is growing. The purpose of the study was to assess the quality of drinking water and the associated health risk and to substantiate priority measures aimed at improving the quality of water in the centralized water supply systems of the region. Materials and methods: We examined the results of drinking water quality testing performed within the implementation of sanitary and epidemiological surveillance and socio-hygienic monitoring and incidence rates in morbidity of population in 27 districts of the Penza Region and the regional center for the years 2014–2019. Health risks from oral exposures to waterborne chemicals were assessed in accordance with Guidelines R 2.1.10.1920–04. The statistical relationship was studied by the correlation method. Results: We established that water quality in the centralized water supply systems fed by underground sources is determined by the chemical composition of the exploited aquifers that divide the territory of the Penza Region into four zones. The worst water quality was observed in the fourth zone where concentrations of natural iron, fluorides and boron in tap water were many times higher than their maximum permissible levels and the hazard quotient for fluorides exceeded the limit value (HQ = 2.845 for children and 1.219 for adults). In the third zone, iron posed the highest risks of diseases of mucosa and skin (HI = 0.296), the immune system (HI = 0.311), and hematopoietic system (H = 0.473) in children; we also established a strong correlation between the average annual concentration of iron in tap water and the incidence of genitourinary disorders, gastritis and duodenitis in the child population. Although the share of the population supplied with safe drinking water from centralized water supply systems increased from 86.5 % in 2014 to 89.4 % in 2019, the target set within the Regional Clean Water Project for 2019 was not achieved. Conclusion: The study results were taken into account when making additions to the Regional Clean Water Project in 2020 envisaging construction of iron removal plants and water well drilling in areas with low fluorine levels.