ABSTRACT

The purpose of the study was to assess the effects of various pipelines on drinking water quality. For the study carried out in Warsaw buildings were chosen in which the installations were made of polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, copper and steel. Water samples were taken from the sites of water leading to the buildings and from the highest floors, if possible. Physicochemical studies included determination of turbidity, colour, odour, pH, hardness, chlorides, ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, oxidability, maganese, iron, lead, cadmium, copper and zinc content. Bacteriological tests included determination of total microorganism count at 20⁰С and 37⁰C, total number of sporing bacteria and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The hydrobiological testing of water samples included quantitative and qualitative analysis of macroscopic and microscopic plant and animal organisms. All studies were carried out according to Polish Standards and the methods of the State Institute of Hygiene. The results of the physicochemical, bacteriological and hydrobiological tests failed to show any effect of the material of pipelines on the quality of drinking water in the range of the determined parameters.