PROBLEMS OF DESIGNING AND SANITARY-EPIDEMIOLOGIC EXPERTIZE OF PROJECTS OF SANITARY PROTECTION ZONES OF UNDERGROUND WATER SUPPLY SOURCES
Introduction. One of the main tasks in the area of public health in Russia is the adequate quality of drinking water supply, i.e. its sound chemical composition and epidemiological safety. The latter is provided among others, by proper wellhead protection activities which aim to ensure sanitary protection of water intakes, water supply and distribution facilities and sites of their location from anthropogenic influence. The aim of the study. The analysis of most common errors revealed during the expertize of wellhead protection (WHP) plans for groundwater intakes. Material and Methods. laws and regulations related to wellhead protection plan development, particular WHP plans, related technical papers. The study is methodologically based on common scientific approaches to investigate social interactions in the field of drinking and domestic water supply such as analytical, comparative, structured system analysis. Results. It is shown that a great deal of uncertainty exists in practical assessment of parameters necessary to estimate wellhead protection area that makes wellhead protection area delineation rather approximate. To enhance the reliability of estimates it is necessary to account for a minimal set of estimation indices and increase the requirements to the quality and scope of project documentation. Conclusion. Authors set forth a complex of additional investigations to refine parameter estimates for wellhead protection plan development, and several new requirements for the project design regarding both the textual part and graphics. Some recommendations to amend current regulations related to wellhead protection are also suggested.