Universal screening of private wells water quality in the Muntenia Region, Romania

Drinking water quality is an actual and stringent problem and the presence of nitrate and nitrite ions above limits imposed by legislation may produce methemoglobinemy and different types of cancer. Because nitrate is odourless, colourless and tasteless is undetectable without tests and well water is recommended to be evaluated from this point of view, especially when in the proximity of the wells are activities which may contribute to water contamination. The present research was carried out with aim to achieve nitrate and nitrite levels from wells located in three areas from Muntenia region: Chiajna (Ilfov), Letca Noua (Giurgiu) and Manastirea (Calarasi). The obtained results evidenced that 10 from 14 analysed wells contain nitrate levels were over imposed limit, one of them located in Manastirea (Calarasi) being even 4 times higher. Regarding nitrite, water from one sampling point is over 0.5 mg/L, all the rest being lower and much lower than imposed limit.