Well water quality in Latvia

A total of 2500 water samples from drinking water shallow wells and boreholes in rural areas of Latvia were collected. The samples were analyzed for 20 parameters. Well waters in Latvia can be characterized by a high content of organic (humic) substances. Mean values for analyzed water parameters are: 0.17 mg/1 NH4, 0.016 mg/1 NO2, 2.90 mg/1 NO3, 0.028 mg/1 PO4, 25.53 mg/1 Cl, 0.12 mg/1 Fe, 7.4 pH, 784 μ/cm conductivity, 24 degrees in PtCo scale color, 7.5 mgequiv/1 total hardness. Comparison with water quality criteria adopted in the USA and European Communiy indicate that water quality is often unsatisfactory. For example, nitrate concentrations exceed standards in nearly 20% of the surve…