Comprehensive assessment of drinking water quality at water intake sites
T.V. Shevkunova, S.S. Katin, E.N. Patova
Section: Chemistry of natural environments and objects
The aim of this work is a comprehensive assessment of the Vychegda River water quality at the sites of Syktyvkar water intake facilities (Station 1 – Krasnaya Gora and Station 2 – Ezhvinskiy District). The study is based on data from a two-year (2022–2023) monthly monitoring program conducted at two stations located in the areas of active water intakes. The main hydrochemical (pH, color, turbidity, total dissolved solids, hardness, BOD5, COD, total Fe, Mn, Zn, As, Al, Pb, pesticides, phenols, formaldehyde, Cl–, SO42–, F–) and microbiological (total coliform bacteria, TCB) parameters were analyzed. The river’s hydrochemical regime has pronounced seasonal dynamics, with peak values of color, turbidity, and organic indicators (COD) during the spring flood period. The river water is classified as low-mineralized. A key finding is the identification of consistent exceedance of hygienic standards (maximum permissible concentrations, MPC) for total Fe (up to 2.7 mg/dm3) and Mn (up to 0.9 mg/dm3) throughout the studied section at both stations, as well as periodic significant exceedance for color (up to 160°), COD (up to 58 mgO2/dm3), and microbiological indicators (TCB up to 700 CFU/100 cm3). The obtained data indicate that the main deterioration in water quality is due to natural factors (humic runoff, metal leaching); however, the identified spatial differences point to the presence of localized anthropogenic impacts. It is concluded that a differentiated approach to water treatment at the intakes is necessary, with mandatory removal of Fe, Mn, and organic compounds, as well as enhanced control during the flood period.
Keywords: water quality, drinking water supply, surface water, hydrochemical parameters, MPC exceedance, water monitoring
Article published in number 3 for 2026 DOI: 10.25750/1995-4301-2026-3-105-112
ISSN 1995-4301
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