Water treatment in a natural mountain catchment (Wapienica dam reservoir, southern Poland)

摘要

The paper deals with water quality of Wapienica dam reservoir and the treatment of its water for consumption. The reservoir is located in a mountain catchment, where human activities are restricted to sustainable forest management. The reservoir was constructed between 1928 and 1932 as a reservoir of potable water for the city of Bielsko-Biala. In years 2011-2012, analyses of water quality were carried out for raw water in the reservoir and treated water which was pumped into the water supply network. The paper also shows Polish legal regulations which set conditions for the treatment of water and use of water for consumption. The research showed that water retained in the reservoir has good quality, and its treatment can only be based on filtration and disinfection. Only in conditions of excessive turbidity should a process of coagulation be used. Treated water meets the criteria which are set for potable water. It has low concentration of macroelements and trace elements. The research showed benefits coming from location of reservoirs in natural catchments, which are not managed by man. Water which is taken from such reservoirs does not need costly treatment processes.