Assessment of hygienic and sanitary states of well and spring waters in Wigry National Park, Poland

This paper presents data on conductivity, pH, hardness, NH4-N, N03-N and Mn content in water of 49 selected wells, counts of TVC 20°C, TVC 37°C, TC, FC, FS and CP in water of 302 wells (0.3 - 31.5 m) in 30 localities, and from 8 natural springs in Wigry National Park in northeast Poland. Surveys were carried out twice: in spring and autumn 1995. Conductivity of well water was 360-1430 mS/cm3, pH 7.2-8.6, water hardness 172-544 mval/cm3, content of NH4-N 0-0.21 mg/dm3, N03-N 0-30.00 mg/dm3, Mn 0-1.00 mg/dm3. The majority of the surveyed wells had TVC 20°C. TVC 37°C, TC and FC counts exceeding permissible levels, and very high numbers of FC. Single wells had water containing CP. High numbers of these micro-organisms were present in shallow waters (less than 10 m) as well as in deep wells (more than 10 m). The degree of bacteriological contamination of well waters was usually lower in spring and higher in autumn. Higher bacteriological pollution of well water was often accompanied by higher N03-N concentrations. Natural springs were usually characterised by lower bacteriological contamination than well water.