Emerging contaminants in wastewater – results of Joint Danube Survey 4 evaluated via the grey water footprint
The Joint Danube Survey (JDS4), organized in 2019, provided a unique dataset on the occurrence of several hundred newly identified contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) in waters of the Danube river basin, including wastewater from selected wastewater treatment plants. In this study, published JDS4 data were used to assess the significance of individual substances identified in wastewater using the grey water footprint approach. Determining all newly identified contaminants is time-consuming and expensive, so it is reasonable to focus on the „most problematic“ substances. The advantage of the grey water footprint assessment is conversion of the amount of discharged pollutants into the volume of water needed for dilution to an environmentally ‘safe level’, allowing comparison of different substances. Based on JDS4 data, out of several hundreds of substances detected, 33 were identified as potentially risky, according to set criteria. However, this list cannot be taken as definitive, as the level of knowledge about the harmfulness of individual substances quickly develops with regard to the risk currently attributed to them. Similarly, the JDS4 dataset reflects a specific data collection methodology, which may not capture all connections related to the impact of the occurrence of new substances on the environment.
Use of effect-based methods to assess surface water status
This article deals with the use of effect-based methods for the qualitative assessment of the state of surface waters in the context of Directive 2000/60/EC establishing the framework for Community activity in the field of water policy and the upcoming amendment to Directive 2008/105/EC on environmental quality standards. The implemented monitoring of priority substances and specific pollutants is not able to capture all sources of pollution that negatively affect surface water quality. Likewise, current practice does not allow a comprehensive assessment of mixtures, including emergent pollutants, metabolites, and transformation products of substances on water quality. Effect-based methods are a suitable tool for ecotoxi-cological evaluation of pollution, which considers all substances contained in the sample and possible effects of mixtures (synergistic effects). They thus provide important additional information for the results of the assessment of the state of surface water bodies.
Improvement of monitoring of biological quality of drinking water
The article provides information on the introduction of a new method of continuous monitoring of the biological quality of raw and treated waters at the Želivka Water Treatment Plant. It is the largest water treatment plant for the capital city of Prague.
Expertní informační systém NAVAROSO
Příspěvek podává informaci o tvorbě expertního informačního systému NAVAROSO, budovaného pro potřeby složek aktivních při vzniku havarijní situace na vodách. Systém poskytuje křížově provázané údaje, potřebné pro rychlé získávání informací o možných příčinách zhoršení jakosti vod, postupech k určení typu znečištění a odhadu jeho šíření ve vodoteči.
