Arsenic in drinking water – case study in Gevgelija

Abstract

This paper analyses the situation of arsenic concentration in drinking water from the city water supply system in Gevgelija for the period 2011–2019. Under the slopes of Kozuv, the groundwater carries with them to the source of water supply, inorganic arsenic originating from the rocks themselves. A series of sampling of drinking water was performed and it was observed that in the drinking water samples from the drilled well area “Moin” the concentrations of arsenic were increased above the MAC by 10 μg/l, while samples from the Vardar well were within the permissible limits. The Institute of Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia submitted to the Directorate of Food at the Ministry of Health an opinion on urgent measures to prevent the possible risk of arsenic through drinking water for the health of the population of the city of Gevgelija and the surrounding areas (about 20 000 inhabitants). The aim of paper was to assess the risk through analyses and evaluation of level of arsenic in drinking water, which is important for prevention of arsenic-related disease by providing safe drinking water from new wells from other side of the river Vardar.