The Impact of Extreme Hydrological Events on Drinking Water Quality in Rural Areas – Case Study South-eastern Serbia

Abstract

Different effects of extreme hydrological events are evident in the physical and chemical water characteristics. Such events can cause water supply interruptions in rural areas, as is the case in Vlasotince, south-eastern Serbia. Therefore, this paper examines the values of selected parameters such as ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, turbidity, chemical oxygen demand calculated from the amount of potassium permanganate, iron, manganese, temperature, pH value, colour, and aluminium at the measuring point of Vlasotince to identify changes in raw water quality parameters during extreme hydrological events. Over a five-year period, fluctuations in water flow in the Vlasina River basin are considered. The interdependence between water flow and raw water quality parameters is assessed using a one-way analysis of variance and a post hoc Tukey Honestly Significant Difference test. Results reveal substantial differences in turbidity, chemical oxygen demand, nitrates, temperature, iron, colour, and manganese. Ammonia, nitrites, pH value, and aluminium exhibit no significant differences based on water flow intensity. The identification and quantification of risk factors affecting water supply during extreme hydrological events allow for a more appropriate response to given challenges and the organization of work in rural water supply systems. 

Keywords

• extreme hydrological events
• raw water
• rural area
• sustainability
• water flow
• water quality parameters
• “water supply”.