Quality of drinking water in mining areas

The paper presents the results of a drinking water quality study in towns located in the mining areas of the Republic of Bashkortostan, The Russian Federation. The objects of the study were underground water supply sources and water distribution networks of the towns of Uchaly, Sibay, and Baimak. In total, 30 water wells were examined, and five water samples were collected from the water distribution network in each town. The water quality indicators were pH, solid residue, total hardness, copper content, zinc content, iron content, and manganese content. The water quality in water distribution networks corresponded to the permissible limits according to environmental and sanitary regulations, except for the increased iron contentprobably due to corrosion of water supply pipelines. The water quality in non-centralized water supply (wells) in some areas failed to meet the sanitary standards. Priority indicators of water pollution were increased hardness and mineralization, high content of iron and manganese. To provide the residents with high-quality drinking water, it is proposed to make a complete inspection of centralized and non-centralized water sources not only within the towns, but also in the neighbouring communities. It is necessary to install filtration plants, primarily to reduce the iron content, in roder to bring the water taken from the wells for household and drinking purposes to the standard quality.