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Description
GROUNDWATERISK proposes to improve the methods of groundwater monitoring for a better quality of life in rural communities that use local sources of water and to raise the awareness of water users on the potential health risks and the need to protect vulnerable groundwater ecosystems.;Finding the most feasible method for groundwater microbiological monitoring to ensure water quality for human use and to better protect against possible outbreaks of pathogen bacteria in the drinking water; Risk assessment for the groundwater sources used by rural communities; Assessment of the groundwater ecosystem services to enhance conservation practices in rural communities. The target groups of our research are the rural communities that are not connected to a public water supply. . The project results will be related to: the evaluation of the quality and sustainability of groundwater sources used by the rural community across Romania; establish the most feasible method for microbiological monitoring and radon concentration measurements of drinking water to be applied by responsible agencies; assess the environmental and human-induced risks for groundwater sources in different regions of Romania; and educate people for the protection of their own source of water and its sustainable use.
Summary of project results
An evaluation of the quality and sustainability of groundwater sources used by the rural community across Romania.
Establishing the most feasible method for microbiological monitoring and radon concentration measurements of drinking water to be applied by responsible agencies.
To assess the environmental and human-induced risks for groundwater sources in different regions of Romania.
To educate people for the protection of their own source of water and its sustainable use
A database with physico-chemical, radon, stable isotopes, biological, microbiological results after the monitoring period. This database will also contain the identified invertebrate species, microorganisms and pathogens.
The best filter for the pathogens and the best test for pathogens in groundwater in terms of costs, accuracy, efficiency and flexibility. A protocol for best practices in microbiological monitoring for groundwater sources of drinking water.
Risk analysis for all the studied sites. It will highlight the local problems of groundwater ecosystems and the possible risks for the human populations.
A GIS model with ecosystem services in Romania.
Conferences in local communities and schools on the need to protect groundwater sources and the importance of groundwater ecosystems.
A guideline regarding measurement procedures for the determination of radon concentration in water.
Publication of results in high impact factor journals and presentation of results at national and international conferences.
Implication of students and young researchers in new fields of research and in interdisciplinary activities.
First overview of the quality of groundwater sources of drinking water in Romania by using multidisciplinary indicators (physical, chemical, biological and microbiological).
Identifying a filter for microbiological sampling effective and at low cost.
New protocol for groundwater microbiological monitoring and accurate identification based on molecular methods on antibiotic resistance.
First radon analysis on water in Romania and first derived map on radon risks in the studied areas.
First risk maps for groundwater sources in Romania and the first maps that include microbial pathogens and radon in water in the analysis.
First maps of groundwater ecosystem services in Romania.
First activity book for children on the use of groundwater and the importance of its conservation.
First courses on groundwater monitoring and conservation for its human use.
Summary of bilateral results
The monitoring was done in parallel in both countries, with several visits to both countries. We shared and discussed the results and the best way to analyze the risks presented by the pollution of spring waters. We also collaborated on the course.