Volume: 2, 2023
2nd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: E015
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL2.E015
Published online: 19 April 2023
ICDSUPL, 2, E015 (2023)
The quality of rainwater and the possibility of its use in the Roztocze National Park
Tadeusz Grabowski1*, Krzysztof Jóźwiakowski2, Andrzej Bochniak3, Przemysław Stachyra1, Andrzej Sokołowski1
1 Roztocze National Park, Plażowa 2, 22-470 Zwierzyniec, Poland
2 Department of Environmental Engineering and Geodesy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Leszczyńskiego 7, 20-069 Lublin, Poland
3 Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Głęboka 28, 20-612 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: tgrabowski@roztoczanskipn.pl
Abstract
Collecting and using rainwater is one of the activities that can improve water security and access to fresh water in the context of ongoing climate change. A significant issue is the quality of rainwater, which depends on many different geographical and anthropogenic factors. The quality of rainwater significantly impacts its use by humans for various purposes. Therefore, it decided to take up this topic and research this area. The work aims to determine the quality of rainwater and the possibility of its use for various purposes in the Roztocze National Park (RPN). The research was carried out in 2021-2022. It consisted in analysing the organoleptic, physicochemical and microbiological composition of rainwater samples that drained from the roofs of farm buildings in the RNP. A foreign odour and the odour threshold number were intended for the organoleptic properties tests. As part of the tests of physical and chemical properties, the following were determined: turbidity, colour, pH, conductivity and the concentration of ammonium ions, nitrates, nitrites, manganese, iron, chlorides and general hardness. As part of the microbiological tests, the following were determined: the total number of microorganisms at 36°C and 22°C, coliform bacteria, Escherichia coli, faecal enterococci, and Pseudomonas aeruginous. Water tests carried out in 2021-2022 were compared with the data obtained as part of the Base Station of Integrated Monitoring of the Natural Environment “Roztocze” from 2011-2022. The obtained research results indicate a favourable organoleptic, physicochemical and microbiological composition of rainwater, which sometimes corresponded to the standards for water intended for human consumption. Exceeding the permissible standards, mainly for ammonium ion and microbiological indicators, was periodically observed in the tested rainwater. The contamination of roof surfaces with bird droppings probably causes this. However, these exceedances do not exclude using rainwater for economic purposes, e.g., washing vehicles, watering green areas or flushing toilets, which may significantly reduce the abstraction of high-quality groundwater. In the case of the planned use of rainwater for watering “Konik Polski”, it will be necessary to pre-treat them with filtration and disinfection processes (e.g. UV lamp).
The paper was written within the framework of PhD thesis prepared by Tadeusz Grabowski, M.Sc. from project no DWD/4/88/2020, financed by the Ministry of Education and Science (Poland) entitled “Development and implementation of a system for the collection and use of rainwater for watering animals in the Roztocze National Park”.
How to cite
T. Grabowski, K. Jóźwiakowski, A. Bochniak, P. Stachyra, A. Sokołowski, 2023. The quality of rainwater and the possibility of its use in the Roztocze National Park. In: 2nd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL2.E015