ASSESSMENT OF THE SAFETY OF DRINKING WATER IN THE WEST-POMERANIAN VOIVODSHIP, POLAND

Water chemical pollution, deriving from both natural and anthropogenic causes, may affect the health of people who are chronically exposed to unsuitable doses of certain macro- and micro-elements, and heavy metals. This research presents findings of the concentration of lead, cadmium, arsenic, chromium, iron, copper, fluorine, aluminum and manganese in samples of drinking water taken in Szczecin, Swinoujscie and administrative districts of the West Pomeranian voivodship: Police, Kamien Pomorski, Kolobrzeg, Koszalin, Slawno, Mygliborz, Pyrzyce, Stargard Szczecinski, Walcz and Szczecinek. The analysis used water samples from two areas of the region: the coastal belt and the southern border. The research was conducted in the first quarter of 2007, using results obtained from the Municipal Hygiene Office in Szczecin. It was observed that in almost all cases water met the official chemical content level requirements. Iron levels exceeded the norm in the Kamien Pomorski district, and were equal to the norm in Szczecin. Too high concentrations of manganese were discovered in the following, administrative districts: Kamien Pomorski, Pyrzyce, Stargard Szczecinski and Swinoujscie. Abnormal levels of lead, cadmium, arsenic, chrome, fluorine and aluminum were not found in any of the examined intakes. In samples taken from the Stargard Szczecinski district, lead concentration in water was close to the admissible level.