Using water for drinking is one of the most important human needs. But it should be remembered that water can be one of the factors of transmission of infectious diseases, primarily intestinal infections. In addition to intestinal infections, other infectious diseases can also be transmitted through drinking water.
The source of drinking water supply in many settlements is wells and catchments.
When choosing a location for a well, it is necessary to take into account that it should be located in an uncontaminated and protected area, which is upstream of the groundwater flow at a distance of at least 50 m from toilets, cesspools, sewage networks, old abandoned wells, etc. It is forbidden to arrange wells in places that are flooded by floods, subject to erosion, landslides and other deformations, in low-lying and swampy areas, as well as on the roadway of streets.
When constructing wells, the following requirements must be met: the walls of the wells must be tight, without gaps, and capable of isolating the well from the penetration of surface runoff (rain and meltwater). Concrete or reinforced concrete rings are primarily recommended for wall cladding; in their absence, the use of ceramics, bricks, stone, and wood is allowed. Stones for wells must be made of strong, stable rocks and laid on cement mortar, just like concrete or reinforced concrete rings.
The underwater part of the walls should be deepened (no more than 1 m) into the aquifer to better expose it and increase the water layer.
The top should be at least 0.8 m above the ground. To protect against clogging, the top should be covered with a metal or wooden cover (reinforced concrete floor with a hatch) and a roof should be made. The wells are closed at the top, equipped with a ventilation pipe, brought out above the ground at least 2 m, the opening should be protected with a cap with a mesh.
It is recommended to use pumps (preferably submersible pumps) to lift water. The pump discharge pipe should have a hook for hanging a bucket. If it is impossible to use a pump, equip the well with a wheelbarrow or "crane" with a bucket for general use, firmly attached. A bench for buckets should be arranged near the well.
To protect against pollution by surface runoff, it is necessary to arrange intercepting ditches that divert runoff from the well. For the same purpose, it is necessary to make a "castle" around it from well-mixed and layer-by-layer compacted clay or heavy loam (2 m deep and 1 m wide) or to concrete (asphalt) a site with a radius of at least 2 m on a base of crushed stone 15-20 cm thick.
Before commissioning, it is recommended to perform a prolonged pumping of water for several full volumes, disinfection and repeated pumping of water until the residual amounts of disinfectant are reduced to normal.
When using a well, great attention should be paid to its protection from pollution and periodic repair, to prevent the accumulation of sludge, which worsens the taste and smell of water, and which is a favorable environment for the reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms. For this purpose, it should be periodically cleaned - at least once a year - and the water should be completely pumped out. After each repair or cleaning, it is recommended to disinfect the structures and water with disinfectants approved by the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.
In order to prevent the occurrence of morbidity among users of well water in spring and autumn, it is necessary to carry out such important measures as preventive disinfection.
For this purpose, bleach or special tablet disinfectants are used, and ceramic "cartridges" filled with bleach and water, which are lowered into the well for a long time (1 month), after which they are cleaned, filled again and lowered into the well. After preventive disinfection, the water can be used after 2 hours.
In the event that the water in the well is contaminated, the taste, smell, color has changed, or for other reasons it is necessary to do the following: drain or pump out the water from the well, clean the walls and bottom of silt. Disinfect the log house with 5 % of bleach solution.
To prepare such a solution, you need to take 0.5 kg of bleach, pour it into a 10-liter bucket, add a liter of water and mix carefully. After that, add water to the full volume. This solution must be left for 24 hours. The settled solution is carefully drained, and the slaked lime remaining at the bottom of the bucket is thrown away. A plastic or enamel bucket is used to prepare the solution. The solution must be prepared outdoors, observing safety rules.
The water that filled the well is disinfected with bleach at the rate of ≈500 g/m3 of water. After 8 hours, the water is drained, and the water is disinfected again at the rate of 2 times less bleach per 1 cubic meter; tablet preparations are also used in accordance with the methodological guidelines approved by the Ministry of Health of Ukraine. After 6 hours, the water is drained again, and after refilling and the smell of chlorine has disappeared, it can be used.
It should be noted that chlorination of water has a temporary effect. Therefore, if there is a permanent source of pollution (leakage of sewage from the toilet, groundwater through a faulty well casing, etc.), the use of well water is prohibited until these defects are eliminated. Please ensure that drinking water is disinfected in order to reduce the risks of drinking contaminated drinking water at the appropriate time of year!
Ways to disinfect water at home:
1. Boiling is the most reliable way to disinfect water. It is worth boiling the water for at least 10 minutes, then letting it settle and carefully draining it, without disturbing the sediment that has collected at the bottom of the container. The longer the water boils, the more pathogens are destroyed.
Store boiled water in a closed container. If possible, settled boiled water should be further purified using a household water filter.
2. Tablets for disinfection of drinking water - sold to the population through pharmacies are special preparations containing active chlorine in the form of tablets. Such tablets have antibacterial properties, a long shelf life and a rapid antibacterial effect. Before using them, you must carefully study the instructions.
3. Iodine – in extreme cases, an alcohol solution of iodine is used. 3-4 drops are enough for 1 liter of water. Such water will have a characteristic taste, and before consuming it, you need to wait 1 hour. Drinking water after disinfection with iodine should be filtered through a household filter. It is better for people with an affected thyroid gland to refrain from consuming excessive doses of iodine.
4. Potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate) – to disinfect 1 liter of water, you need 1-2 grams of solution or a few crystals so that the water becomes pale pink, let the water stand for 30 minutes, then carefully strain or pass it through a household filter, leaving the sediment at the bottom of the container.
5. Activated carbon – allows you to remove unpleasant odors from water and minor impurities and harmful substances. For 1 liter of water, you need 5 tablets, which are better to crush to increase the active area, wrap in gauze or other fabric so that coal dust does not get into clean water. Disinfection of drinking water in this way lasts at least 8 hours.
Let's take care of the quality of drinking water - about our health!
Chuhuyiv branch of the State Institution "Kharkiv Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine"«