Surface water quality

Dátum poslednej aktualizácie:22.01.2024

Téma

Voda

Značky

Definícia indikátora

The indicator describes the surface water quality in monitored sites.

Jednotka indikátora

%, number

Metadáta

Related definitions:

The surface water quality complies with the requirements set out in Annex no. 1, if the value calculated from the data collected during the year is below or equal to the value for a relevant water quality indicator. (section 3, par.1of the SR Government regulation(GR) no. 269/2010 Coll.)

The surface water status is the general expression of surface water body status determined by an ecological status and chemical status, depending on which one is worse. The status of heavily modified water bodies or artificial water bodies is determined by an ecological potential.

An ecological status expresses the quality of structure and function of aquatic ecosystems that are bound to surface waters. The ecological status is defined by the biological elements of quality, elements supporting the biological quality elements, which are hydromorphological quality elements, chemical and physico-chemical elements of quality and specific pollutants.

The good ecological status of surface waters is the status of surface waters stipulated by the generally binding legislation according to the section 81 par.1, point f). A good surface water chemical status is the chemical status of surface water body in which the reached concentrations of pollutants do not exceed the environmental standards of quality, laid down by the generally binding legal regulation according to the section 81 par.1, point f).
(Section 4 Act no. 364/2004 Coll. Water Act)


Methodology:

The basis of surface water quality assessment is a summary of classification results under STN 75 7221 "Water quality. Quality classification of surface waters", which assesses the water quality in 8 groups of indicators (group A - oxygen regime, group B - basic physical-chemical indicators, group C- nutrients, group D - biological indicators, E group - microbiological indicators, F group - micropollutants, G group -toxicity, H group - radioactivity), and using the limit values set categorizes waters under their quality into five classes (Class I - very clean water, up to Class V - very heavily polluted water, whereby levels I, II and III of water quality are considered favourable water quality) .

Qualitative indicators monitored in all monitored areas (basic and operational) in 2013 were evaluated in accordance with the SR Government Regulation no. 398/2012 Coll., amending and supplementing the SR Government Regulation no. 269/2010 Coll., laying down the requirements for the achievement of good water status.
The surface water quality assessment is conducted based on the data obtained in the water status monitoring. The monitoring of SR´s surface waters has been divided in terms of SR MoAERD Decree no.418/2010 Coll. on the Implementation of certain provisions of the Water Act into a basic, operational, exploratory monitoring and monitoring of protected areas (PAs).

The frequency of quality indicators monitoring was consistent throughout the calendar year; i.e. 12 times a year in accordance with the monitoring program. The less frequent monitoring is carried out in case of some biological indicators that are observed seasonally (2-7 times per year), radioactivity indicators (4 times per year) and relevant substances (4 times a year). If certain synthetic and non-synthetic indicators were not monitored 12 times a year (priority substances) and 4 times per year (relevant substances), in respective tables there was marked a potential failure (*; PF) to fulfil the requirements of Annex no. 1 to GR no. 269/2010 Coll. as amended by GR 396/2012 Coll.
State monitoring network


Data sources:

SHMI


Related indicators:


Related international indicators:


Linked references:

Väzba indikátora k rozvojovým dokumentom a cieľom

Action Plan for Water Protection in the Protected Water Management Area of Žitný ostrov (2023)
 
The main goal of the Action Plan is to effectively protect the quality and quantity of groundwater on Žitný ostrov as the most important source of drinking water in Slovakia.
 
Therefore, the proposed preventive measures are mainly aimed at:
  •  preventing or limiting the entry of pollutants into the groundwater and preventing the deterioration of the condition of all groundwater bodies,
  •  reversing any significant and permanently upward trend in the concentration of the pollutant, which is caused by human activity, in order to gradually reduction of groundwater pollution. The key areas for which measures are proposed in the Action Plan were identified in the Problem Analysis. These are the following areas/problems:
  • excessive use and development of the territory threatening the quality and quantity of water in CHVO Žitný ostrov,
  • unsupportive legal regulations and weak enforcement of the law,
  • insufficient information system and connection of monitoring systems,
  • insufficient environmental awareness and education of professional and lay people public.
 
Based on the analysis and the established vision, specific goals were proposed:
  • sustainable use of the territory and its development,
  • safe drinking water taken from CHVO Žitný ostrov,
  • reduction of threats to groundwater quality from local sources of pollution,
  • reliable monitoring and information system,
  • environmentally responsible approach to the protection and use of water.
The implementation of the Action Plan will be evaluated in 2027. The measures will be evaluated and then, as necessary, incorporated into the update of the Water Plan of Slovakia, or to planning documents in other areas (e.g. waste management, environmental burdens, spatial planning).

 

The concept of the water policy of the Slovak Republic until 2030 with a view to 2050 (2022)

The concept formulates measures in ten areas of intervention and indicators and a time frame for the implementation of individual measures are assigned to them. The achievement of the target value is generally considered for the year 2030, unless another time frame is indicated. In the case of indicators where the initial value is not known, the expected development trend (increasing/decreasing) is indicated.

The concept of water policy focuses on ten priority areas, which are interconnected, and focuses on the area of ​​water use.

 3. Sustainable use of water

Goal 3.1. Sustainable and efficient use of surface and underground waters without endangering their quantity and quality

Goal 3.2. Functional crisis management in times of drought and water shortages

4. Water for all residents

Goal 4.1. Ensuring the supply of health-safe drinking water for all residents

Goal 4.2. Increasing the connection of residents to municipal wastewater treatment systems and increasing the share of treated municipal wastewater


Water plan of the Slovak Republic for period 2022 - 2027 - Update 2021 (2021)

Environmental objectives aim to ensure and improve the quality of aquatic ecosystems and sustainable, balanced and equitable water use. Environmental targets are defined for surface water bodies, the groundwater bodies and the protected areas.


Environmental target for surface water bodies is to perform measures aimed at:

  • Preventing deterioration of the condition of surface water bodies;
  • Protection, improvement and restoration of surface water bodies in order to achieve good surface water status by December 22, 2015 or 2021 within the second planning cycle, or until 2027 within the third planning cycle;
  • Protection and improvement of artificial and considerably changed surface water bodies so that the good ecological potential and good chemical condition are achieved until 22 December 2015 and 2021 within the second planning cycle, or until 2027 within the third planning cycle;
  • Gradual decreasing in pollution by priority substances and stopping or gradual termination of emissions, discharge and leakages of priority dangerous substances.

 

Plan for the development of public water supply systems and public sewers for the territory of the Slovak Republic for the years 2022 - 2027 (2021)

A. Plan for the development of public water supply systems

The Water Supply Development Plan is a starting document drawn up in accordance with the requirements established by the European Union for the fulfillment of the basic condition for the financing of measures in the field of water management in the program period 2022 – 2027.
 
The goal of the Public Water Supply Development Plan is to analyze the conditions for ensuring the necessary level of drinking water supply, to establish priorities and conditions for its implementation.
The strategic goal of the development of public water supply systems is to increase the number of inhabitants supplied from public water supply systems and to ensure the supply of health-safe drinking water.
 
The plan for the development of public water supply systems proposes to implement:
  • construction of public water supply systems in villages without water supply systems
  • increasing the number of inhabitants supplied from public water supply systems
  • and ensuring problem-free supplying residents with safe drinking water without negative impacts on residents' health and the environment.
The strategic goal is to ensure that the supplied drinking water meets health safety requirements and the limits of drinking water quality indicators for all residents of the Slovak Republic. Municipalities within the reach of the constructed water systems will gradually be supplied with water and the inhabitants will be supplied with drinking water supplied from high-quality water sources. Water supplies should gradually be built in municipalities that are beyond the reach of current water supplies and large-capacity sources. In the case of municipalities that are currently without a public water supply system, a proposal is presented to solve the supply until 2027, or the following years, depending on available public financial resources. If no solution method is proposed for the village, this village will be solved after 2027.
 
 
Strategy of the environmental policy of the Slovak Republic - Greener Slovakia (2019)
 
Sustainable Use and Effective Protection of Natural Resources
 
Goals: A good condition and water potential of all water bodies through the restoration of river ecosystems will be accomplished.

1. Enough clean water for everyone

1.1 The prevention of water pollution
- Illegally discharged waste water from households, commerce and services, but also from the industry or leakage from environmental burdens and agricultural activity, significantlypollute surface and ground water. Strengthening and streamlining of controls, documentation of legal waste water disposal and a threat of real effective sanctions will help limit these actions.

1.3. Elimination of adverse impacts on water courses

- In terms of the impact on water status, there are three main groups of significant hydromorphological changes: a disruption of longitudinal connection of the rivers and the habitats, a disruption of transverse connection of wetlands and inundation with sewer and other morphological changes and hydrological changes. It is therefore essential to focus on the revitalization and re-naturalization of water courses and the adjacent riverine landscapes and to ensure the coherence of water courses, which is one of the basic conditions for the functioning of river ecosystems.
- The prioritization of renewal of land improvement channels will be set, depending on their function and use. Land improvement channels can also drain water from areas, where it is necessary. For this reason, it will be important to assess where the operation and maintenance of channels is needed and where it is environmentally harmful.

 

Strategy of SR adaptation to adverse impacts of climate change (2018)

5. Strategy objectives

To propose appropriate set of proactive adaptation measures and mechanisms to their implementation within the framework of sectoral policies, development strategies and action plans at all levels of the process;

8. Proposed adaptation measures in individual areas

8.5.3. Water management

Adaptation measures in our country should be directed to the compensation of drought manifestations, i.e. the decrease of flows and water resource yields, as well as to minimization of adverse consequences of flooding, particularly of flash floods in mountain and foothill areas. Adapting to the climate change in water management area should be focused on the implementation of measures leading to the creation of conditions for the better management of runoff in the river basin.

Water is becoming a critical strategic resource of the state which must be protected, and its efficient and effective use must be managed, in accordance with an objective of sustainable development ensuring. Rightly, the biggest attention is paid to water resources, their conservation and the need for more efficient use.

Measures to prevent degradation of water by contamination

- reducing contaminants in water bodies in accordance with the Slovak Water Plan

Kľúčová otázka

Have the requirements for surface water quality been met?

Kľúčové zistenia

  • The surface water quality met the limits for selected general indicators and indicators of radioactivity in all monitored areas in 2022. Limits were exceeded mainly in synthetic and non-synthetic substances, hydro-biological and microbiological indicators and in general indicators - mainly nitrite-nitrogen.
  • In accordance with the requirements of Directive 2000/60/EC (Framework Directive on Water) the water quality is expressed by the ecological and chemical status of surface water bodies. Very good and good ecological status/potential of surface water bodies was recorded in 41.3% of the total number of water bodies, which represents a length of 6,351.01 km. A good chemical status reached 71.2% of the total number of water bodies, which represents a length of 10,596.3 km.
Change since 2007 Change since 2015 Last year-on-year change
emo_sad emo_sad emo_sad
The share of the number of water bodies in very good and good ecological status/potential in the third evaluation period (2013-2018) compared to the second (2009-2013) and the first evaluation period (2007-2008) decreased to 41.30% (I. evaluation period - 63.7%, II evaluated period – 56.2%).  The share of the number of water bodies in good chemical condition in the third evaluation period decreased to 71.21% compared to 95% in the first and 97.5% in the second evaluation period.
Surface water quality indicators have been monitored according to the approved Program of surface waters status monitoring and have been evaluated in accordance with Annex no.1 of GR no. 269/2010 Coll. in indicators A, B, C, D and E. The values of GR No. 269/2010 Coll. and priority substancese were evaluated  by GR of environmental quality standards (GR No.167/2015 Coll.) and  requirements were exceeded in a group of synthetic substances, non-synthetic substances and hydro-biological and microbiological indicators.
Year-on-year (2021 - 2022), there was an increase in the number of monitoring sites (382 versus 367) and an increase in the number of monitoring sites where surface water quality requirements were not met was recorded.

 

Sumárne zhodnotenie

The number of monitored sites and indicators not meeting the general requirements for the  surface water quality in accordance with the Government Regulation no. 269/2010 Coll., part A and E. (2022)
International river basin Sub-basin Number of monitored sites in sub-basin Indicators not meeting the requirements for the  surface water quality
under the Annex no.1
Monitored not meeting the require
ments
General indicators (A) hydrobiological and microbiological
indicators (E)
Danube Morava 51 40
BOD5, CODCr,N-NH4,N-NO2,N-NO3, O2,Ptot., pH, Ca, EK (conductivity),Al, Mn, AOX
abundance of phytoplankton,
chorophyll-a, saprobic index of bioseston, coliform bacteria, thermotolerant col. bacteria, culturable microorganisms at 22 oC
Danube Dunaj 20 14

O2, EK (conductivity), pH, N-NO2, N-NO3, Ntot., Ptot., Ca, Al

culturable microorganisms at 22 oC
Danube Váh 154 130 pH, TOC, EK (conductivity), N-NO2, N-NO3, N-NH4, Ca, Ptot., Norg., BOD5, O2, Cl-,  Al,F-, AOX, SO42-Ntot., RL105, RL550, CODCr abundance of phytoplankton, chorophyll-a, saprobic index of bioseston, culturable microorganisms at 22 oC
Danube Hron 27 25 BOD5, CODCr, pH, N-NO2, N-NO3,  Ptot.., Ca, AOX, N-NH4,EK (conductivity),TOC abundance of phytoplankton, chorophyll-a, saprobic index of bioseston, culturable microorganisms at 22 oC
Danube Ipeľ 31 27 O2, BOD5,CODCr, pH, EK (conductivity), N-NH4, N-NO2, N-NO3, Ptot., Ntot., TOC, Ca, AOX abundance of phytoplankton,
chorophyll-a, culturable microorganisms at 22 oC
Danube Slaná 11 10 pH,Ca, N-NO2, AOX intestinal enterococci, coliform bacteria, thermotolerant col. bacteria, intestinal enterococci,
culturable microorganisms at 22 oC
Danube Bodrog 39 39

O2, CODCr, EK (conductivity), N-NH4, N-NO2, N-NO3, Norg., Ntot., Ptot., TOC, Ca, NELUV, Cl-, RL105, RL550, Al, AOX

abundance of phytoplankton, saprobic index of bioseston, intestinal enterococci,
chorophyll-a, thermotolerant col. bacteria, culturable microorganisms at 22 oC
Danube Hornád 25 24 CODCr,N-NO2,  Ptot., EK (conductivity), N-NO3, Ca, AOX, F-, N-NH4, NELuv saprobic index of bioseston,
intestinal enterococci, coliform bacteria,
thermotolerant col. bacteria, culturable microorganisms
at 22 oC
Danube Bodva 9 8

BOD5, CODCr N-NO2, TOC, Ca, NELUV, AOX

abundance of phytoplankton, saprobic index of bioseston, intestinal enterococci, coliform bacteria, chorophyll-a,thermotolerant col. bacteria,
culturable microorganisms at 22 oC
Vistula Dunajec  and Poprad 15 15

CODCr, pH, EK (vodivosť), N-NO2, RL550, Cl- , Ca, Al, NELUV, AOX

 

 

* - potentially does not meet water quality requirements according to the Government Regulation 269/2010 Coll. (<12 measurements per year)
Source: SHMI

Indicators not meeting the general requirements for surface water quality in accordance with the Government Regulation no. 269/2010 Coll., part B and C (2022)
International river basin Sub-basin Indicators not meeting the requirements for the  surface water quality under the Annex no.1
non-synthetic substances (B) synthetic substances (C)
Danube Morava  Zn (AA),Ni (AA/AA*)
4-(terc)-oktylfenol (AA/AA*),FLU (AA/AA*),B(a)P (AA)*,B(ghi)perylén (NPK/NPK*),Chlórpyrifos (AA*,HPC*)
Danube Dunaj   B(a)P (AA)*, FLU (AA)*
Danube Váh As (AA),Cr (AA)
FLU (HPC,AA/AA*), octyplfenol (AA), B(b)fluoranthene (HPC), Benzo(k)fluoranthene (HPC), B(ghi)perylene (HPC/HPC*), B(a)P (AA*), heptachlorine (HPC*,AA*)
Danube Hron As (AA),Zn (AA)
4-(terc)-oktylfenol (AA), 4-nonylfenol (AA), Antracén (HPC), FLU (HPC/HPC*,AA/AA*), B(a)P (AA)*, B(b)fluórantén (HPC*), PCP (AA)
Danube Ipeľ Zn (AA), Ni (AA*)
FLU (AA),B(a)P (AA*),TBT (HPC, AA)
Danube Slaná 4-(terc)-oktylfenol (AA*), FLU (AA),B(a)P (AA)*, B(ghi)perylén (HPC)
Danube Bodrog  
B(b)fluórantén (HPC/HPC*), Antracén (HPC), B(ghi)perylén (HPC*), FLU (HPC,AA/AA*), PCB a jeho kongenéry (28, 52, 101,138,153) (AA), CN celkové (AA), 4-m-2,6-tBTP (AA), B(a)P (AA)*, 4-(terc)-oktylfenol (AA*)
Danube Hornád Zn (AA) CN (AA), B(a)P (AA)*, FLU (AA),
 
Danube Bodva   B(a)P (AA)*
Vistula Dunajec and Poprad B(a)P (AA)*
AA – exceedance of annual average
HPC- exceedance of highest permissible concentration
* - potentially does not meet water quality requirements according to the Government Regulation 269/2010 Coll. (<12 measurements per year)
Source: SHMI

 

Podrobné zhodnotenie

In 2022, qualitative indicators of surface water were monitored under an approved Water status monitoring program for 2022. 465 sites were monitored in a basic and operational mode. As a rule, the frequency of monitoring is evenly distributed during the calendar year, i.e. 12 times a year in accordance with the monitoring program. The less frequent monitoring is carried out in case of some biological indicators that are observed seasonally (2-7 times per year), radioactivity indicators (4 times per year) and relevant substances 4 times a year.

The number of monitored sites of surface water by sub-basins in 2022
Sub-basin Number of assessed sites according to monitoring type
  Basic Operational Basic and operational Protected areas - drinking water In total
Sub-basin Morava 10 27 14 0 51
Sub-basin Dunaj 7 4 9 0 20
Sub-basin Váh 86 21 48 21 176
Sub-basin Hron 3 11 13 7 34
Sub-basin Ipeľ 9 7 15 0 31
Sub-basin Slaná 1 2 8 3 14
Sub-basin Bodrog 12 11 15 21 59
Sub-basin Hornád 6 9 10 18 43
Sub-basin Bodva 2 3 4 4 13
Sub-basin Dunajec and Poprad 3 7 5 9 24
Total 139 102 141 83 465
Source: SHMI


Monitorované miesta kvality povrchovej vody na Slovensku v roku 2022

Requirements for the surface water quality listed in the Regulation of the Government have been met in all monitored places in the following indicators:
  • general indicators (part A): sulfán a sulfidy (S2-), temperature (t), železo celkové (Fe), horčík (Mg), sodium (Na), phenole index, povrchovo aktívne látky aniónové (PAL-A), cobalt (Co), selenium (Se), striebro (Ag), vanad (V), chlorbenzene (CB), dichlorbenzene (DCB),nitrobenzene (NB), 1,2 cis- dichloretene (1,2-DCE ), 2-monochlorphenol (CP), 2,4,6-trichlorphenol (2,4,6-TCP)
  • radioactivity indicators (Part D): total volume activity alpha and beta, tritium, strontium, caesium.


Requirements for the surface water quality listed in the Regulation of the Government for the groups of non-synthetic and synthetic  substances (Parts B and C) have not been met in the following indicators:

  • As, Cd, Hg, Zn, Cu, Pb,Cd,Ni, total cyanides and PCB a jeho kongenéry (8,28,53 a 101).

 
From the group of hydrobiological and microbiological indicators (Part E), the requirements specified in the Regulation of the Government have not been met in the following indicators:

  • saprobe index bioseston, abundance phytoplankton, chlorophyll "a" and coliform bacteria, thermotolerant coliform bacteria, intestinal enteroocci and cultivable microorganisms at a temperature of 22 oC.

Most exceeding of the limit values pursuant to Annex No. 1 of the Regulation of the Government in general indicators were in the indicator of nitrite nitrogen in all partial catchment areas.
 
In 2022, priority substances and some other substances were evaluated pursuant to the Regulation of the Government of the Slovak Republic No. 167/2015 Coll. on environmental quality standards in the sphere of water policy. 
The highest admissible concentration of the environmental quality standard (EQS) was exceeded for As, Cr and Pb. The annual mean of EQS was exceeded for fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(b)fluorantene, benzo(k)fluorantene, benzo(g,h,i,)perylene, antracene, octylpfenol ((4-(1,1',3,3'-tetrametylbutyl)fenol)), nonylpfenol, pentachlorpfenol, cyklodiénové pesticidy a chlorpyrifos, zlúčeniny tributycínu a heptachlor.

 

Evaluation of the condition of surface water bodies

The assessment of the state of surface water bodies is carried out by assessing their ecological status, or potential, and by evaluating the chemical status. The latest current assessment of the state of surface water bodies is processed for the needs of the Water Plan of Slovakia - 2nd update, which covers 1,351 surface water bodies and is based on the reference period 2013-2018.
 
Very good and good ecological status/potential was recorded in 41.3% from the total number of water bodies with a length of 6,351.01 km, which represents 36.23% of the total length of water bodies. 49.4% of water bodies were in an average ecological state, 7.55% were in bad and 1.70% were in very bad. The most favorable situation was recorded in the sub-basins Váh and Hron, where the share of formations in good or very good ecological condition/potential reached 50.31%, while in the case of the Váhu basin it was 248, and in the case of the Hrona basin it was 81 water bodies. On the other hand, the most unfavorable situation was in the Ipeľ and Morava sub-basins, where only 9.7% (11), respectively. 17.4% (12) of water bodies achieved good or very good ecological status/potential. In the sub-basin of Poprad and Dunajec, 52 water bodies (75.36%) with a length of 619.25 km were in very good and good ecological condition/potential.
 
The share of the number of water bodies in very good and good ecological status/potential in the third evaluation period (2013-2018) compared to the second (2009-2013) and the first evaluation period (2007-2008) decreased to 41.30% (I. evaluation period - 63.7%, II evaluated period – 56.2%). The reasons for these changes are: the increasing number of monitored water bodies, the increasing number of monitored quality elements (especially the fish community), the gradual completion of evaluation schemes for the assessment of ecological potential.
 
The basis of the assessment of the chemical status of surface water bodies are priority substances according to Directive 2008/105/EC and its amendment 2013/39/EU, which are taken over by NV SR no. 167/2015 Coll., while compliance of the monitoring results with annual averages and the highest permissible ENK concentrations defined by Directive 2013/39/EU represents compliance with the requirements for good chemical status. In the evaluated period 2013-2018, the assessment of the chemical status of surface water bodies consisted of an assessment of the occurrence of 45 priority substances or groups of substances in water and/or in biota.
 
 
 
 
Good chemical status was achieved by 962 surface water bodies (71.21% of the total) in a length of 10,596.3 km (60.45% of the total length of surface water bodies). 389 water bodies (28.79%) with a length of 6,932.1 km (39.55%) did not achieve good chemical status. In the RBD Danube, failure to achieve a good chemical state in the water matrix caused ENK to be exceeded for: polyaromatic hydrocarbons (benzo(a)pyrene 150 water bodies, fluoranthene 29 water bodies), lead (16 WB), 4-tert-octylphenol (6 WB), cadmium (6 WB), mercury (3 WB), nickel (3 WB), tributyltin compounds (2 WB), heptachlor and heprachloroepoxide (2 WB), and 4-nonylphenol, cybutrin, alachlor, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and pentachlorophenol with occurrence after 1 water body). In RBD Vistula, a good chemical status was not achieved in 4 water bodies due to exceeding ENK for the indicators benzo(a)pyrene in water and mercury and brominated diphenyl ethers in biota.

 

 

Kontakt na spracovateľa

Ing. Ľubica Koreňová, SAŽP, lubica.korenova@sazp.sk