Synthetic micropollutants in the water supply infrastructure of the City of Krakow, Poland
Author
Ochmańska, Monika
Cimochowicz-Rybicka, Małgorzata
Łomińska-Płatek, Dominika
Bochnia, Tadeusz
Published in
Desalination and Water Treatment
Numbering
Vol. 322, 101197
Release date
2025
Language
English
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dwt.2025.101197
Keywords
PFAS, EDCs, raw water, drinking water, water safety
Abstract
The paper analyzes both raw and drinking water for the presence of synthetic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), endocrine active compounds (EDC), i.e. 17ß-estradiol, bisphenol A and 4-nonylphenol. A series of tests for the presence of PFAS, EDC, were performed at four water treatment plants in Krakow. The total concentration of all fluoroalkyl compounds was below the parametric value of 0.1 μg/l. There was also no positive response for endocrine disrupting compounds (EDC). Samples from water intake basins were analyzed for the presence of selected PFAS and EDC. The tests will be continued at three-month intervals to capture any changes in water parameters as well as a possible risk of higher concentrations occurring during hydrological drought. The results obtained for all samples did not show exceedances of concentration in accordance with the Water Directive of 2020 for PFAS and EDC. It should be remembered that the compounds such as PFAS and EDC, despite of their low concentrations, may pose a threat to human health and life, and therefore testing for micropollutants has not only an environmental, but also a health and socio-economic aspect.
