Countries with the best and worst drinking water. The best mineral water in the world
Former head of department of Mosvodokanal, now works as director of the technical policy department at the Russian Water Supply and Sanitation Association
- How, in fact, does water get into the tap of a Moscow apartment?
Simplified, the scheme can be described as follows: the Moscow water supply system has two sources of water supply. The first is Moskvoretsky, it includes the four largest reservoirs in the region. The second is the Volga spring, a cascade of six reservoirs. For example, it includes the Akulovskoye reservoir, the most closed in Moscow - it used to be called "Stalin's water canal".
From all these reservoirs, waterworks take water, turn it into drinking water and feed it into the network. There are five stations in the city: Western, Northern, Eastern, Rublevskaya and South-Western. The whole city is divided into sectors - zones of influence of these stations. Two of them, Eastern and Northern, are located on the Volga spring, the rest - on Moskvoretsky.
- Are they any different?
Yes, even inside Moscow the water is different. The Volga spring is different in that it is more susceptible to flowering, because it is a network of reservoirs - the water in it settles and begins to bloom at certain times of the year. Moskvoretsky has its own specifics - there are a lot of agricultural enterprises on the river that dump purified, and somewhere, maybe, untreated water. Therefore, the purification technology for the Volga spring differs from the purification technology for the Moskvoretskoye.
- Is it possible for a simple resident to see where the water comes from?
You are unlikely to find exact zoning, but you can just take a map of Moscow, find the location of all water stations and estimate by eye: the stations serve the surrounding areas. The center is mainly powered by Rublevskaya and Vostochnaya stations.
How does the transformation take place? river water into drinking water?
Stations take water by pumping stations directly from the river, after which several stages of purification take place: settling, filtration, treatment with reagents. The output is disinfection, the same chlorination that everyone is so afraid of. And there is no need to be afraid of it: the so-called residual chlorine content is extremely strictly dosed and never exceeds the norm. In addition, it will be much worse without it: pipes are closed systems, if they do not contain chlorine and the necessary flow rate is not maintained, secondary pollution will begin.
- But in any case, raw water from the tap in Moscow cannot be drunk?
How is it impossible? Yes, I drink tap water. Moreover, our sanitary norms and rules are much stricter than the requirements for drinking water in the European Union. It's just incomparably tougher. If you are so afraid of bleach, poured water into the kettle, it stood for a minute - everything, please cook on it. Chlorine is a volatile element. In Mosvodokanal there used to be a saying: “Friends! When drawing water from the tap, leave it open for a short time so that the bleach is weathered. In any case, I repeat: the water in Moscow is better than in the cities of Europe and America.
Water from SWAD, district Northern Butovo, recruited in a 16-storey panel house built in 2001. According to the study, all indicators are within the normal range.
Photo: Sasha Karelina
It turns out that it doesn't matter if I live in Kapotnya or on Rublevsky Highway, the water should be the same? But in fact this is not the case - what does it depend on?
Water supply is arranged according to the following principle: there are main pipelines, and there are intra-quarter ones. That is, up to a certain point, water quality is the responsibility of Mosvodokanal, and then it is the responsibility of operating housing organizations. Therefore, if the pipes are old, flow, overgrow, the water is bad - these are already claims not to the water utility, but to the city authorities and the housing office. For example, my district is not the newest, so I always take a minute somewhere cold water- until the water comes out not from the riser, but from the main pipeline. And when you feel that the water has become icy - it should be about four degrees - that's it, drink to your health.
Water from the South Administrative District, Biryulyovo Zapadnoye district, was collected in a 12-storey panel building built in 1973. According to the study, all indicators are within the normal range.
Photo: Sasha Karelina
- Does it affect something in the body?
No. If the norms are observed, then it is not dangerous for health.
I do not have such statistics. In fact, everywhere the water is different. Petersburg, for example, the water is soft. Take Kalmykia, where the springs are saline, so it flows from the tap salty water. Moreover, this is completely imperceptible to the residents, they are used to it, and when you drink it for the first time, you understand that it is salt water. And there, of course, they are struggling with this, because excessively salty water is stones in the kidneys and liver. The main local disease is urolithiasis. Most of the cities of the Moscow region sit on wells, and underground wells often have elevated iron. Have you noticed that in the Moscow region you sometimes open a tap, and rusty water comes out? Or have you seen red streaks on plumbing?
- That is, it turns out that the norms are still not observed everywhere in the country?
Yes. More precisely, the indicators may fall within the upper limit of the norm, but at the same time, the water will differ in taste and effect. But you can almost always do something with this, in the same suburbs, for example, iron removal stations are installed everywhere - this is a proven technology.
- Is it possible to cook food on hot water?
In no case. Temperature drinking water should be about four degrees - only then it will not develop any flora, bacteria and microorganisms. Hot water cannot be drunk. You can't cook with hot water. Besides, can you imagine what happens to the old teapot? The same thing happens in hot water pipes.
How do you feel about bottled water?
Great. Why not? I drink it and buy it, however, mainly for my mother.
- Is it significantly different from tap water?
How to tell you. Here at the Zelenograd water utility there are silver-plated wells from which bottled water is bottled. Father came, consecrated these wells - it turned out to be a brand of water that is now popular.
- And what is, from the point of view of a chemist, the holy water that is poured in churches?
Also, as a rule, just wells that are trimmed with silver.
- That is, the same tap water, just additionally purified?
Yes, or tap water, or from underground wells, which is accumulated and disinfected in silver containers. Listen, after our conversation I will be anathematized!
- And what parameters should be looked at first when studying water analysis?
I would not look at anything at all if all the indicators are normal. You see, there is a value, but there is a maximum allowable concentration, and a range of allowable values is always given - from and to. If the figure falls within this interval, respectively, the water is suitable for drinking. If you really want to find fault with something, I would pay attention to bacteriology - pathogenic bacteria should be completely absent.
- Is it possible to check the quality of water at home?
No. But as? Only household characteristics - transparency, taste, no smell. But you need to understand that water quality is guaranteed by law - “SanPiN 2.1.4.1074-01. Drinking water". Every hour, 24 times a day, samples are taken at Mosvodokanal. This is actually a very tight control. In general, it is worth remembering: non-compliance with sanitary requirements is prosecuted by criminal law, so you don’t need to nightmare yourself once again.
How to understand test results
We collected samples of tap water from various autonomous regions Moscow, numbered the bottles and sent them to the Accredited main control and testing center for drinking water. You can look at the results for each district. The center examined the water in 20 parameters, all samples have indicators within the normal range, but differ significantly depending on the area. At our request, the specialists of the center explained how to read the main parameters.
Iron
An increased concentration of this metal makes water astringent and unsuitable for use - when washing, red stains will appear on linen, and rusty streaks on plumbing. A concentration of 0.3 mg/m3 is considered acceptable.
Hydrogen indicator
Everyone knows pH - a marker of water alkalinity. Distilled water has a pH of approximately 7, if there are chemicals in the water, this causes the pH to change. In strongly acidic waters it is less than 3, in acidic waters - 3-5, in neutral - 6.5-7.5, in slightly alkaline 7.5-8.5, in alkaline - 8.5-9.5, in strongly alkaline - more than 9.5 units.
Smell
Organic and mineral substances are dissolved in the composition of any water, therefore it cannot have no taste and smell. Another thing is that they are not always pronounced. The smell refers to the so-called organoleptic indicators - there are no instruments for measuring it, so the water is heated to 20 o C and 60 o C and with the help of experts the level is measured in points from 0 to 5. All samples earned 1 point: this means that there is a smell , but it is found only in a laboratory study.
Rigidity
The total content of calcium and magnesium in water. Therefore, hardness is calcium and magnesium, with calcium significantly predominating. This indicator is highest in sea waters. High hardness gives the water a bitter taste, causes the formation of scale in teapots.
The value of the total hardness in drinking water should not exceed 10 degrees, in Moscow the average is kept at 4 degrees.
Permanganate oxidizability
This term refers to the content of organic matter, whether it is the remains of soil, plants or particles of waste that have fallen into the water. At groundwater this indicator is much less than, for example, for surface ones.
chlorides
Almost all waters contain chloride ions, which is explained by the presence in many rocks of the most common salt on Earth - sodium chloride. The increased content of chlorides can be explained by the pollution of the reservoir from which water is taken; this indicator has nothing to do with chlorine directly.
General mineralization
The total quantitative measure of the content of substances dissolved in water, which are usually in the form of salts - therefore this parameter is also called the total salt content. Judging by the results of the study, all our samples belong to fresh water.
Ecology of life: Most people try to spend their holidays where it is warm, where there is no cold and snow. There is nothing more refreshing than swimming in clear cool water, whether it be the sea, lake or river. Lucky for us, we live on beautiful planet, where there are amazing, completely transparent reservoirs. So why not take a trip to one of the places with the most clean water?
Most people try to spend their holidays where it is warm, where there is no cold and snow. There is nothing more refreshing than swimming in clear cool water, whether it be the sea, lake or river. Lucky for us, we live on a beautiful planet with amazing, crystal-clear bodies of water. So why not take a trip to one of the places with the cleanest water?
Linapacan Island
The province of Palawan is famous for one of the most wonderful beaches not only in the Philippines, but all over the world. Palawan is made up of many small islands, one of which is Linapacan. This island has a beautiful beach with clear water and white sand, untouched nature and approximately 14,000 inhabitants.
Clear sea in the Maldives
There's a reason why Maldives became one of the most romantic places destinations in the world are their beaches. Located in the Indian Ocean, a group of islands can offer guests the cleanest waters and the most colorful, diverse ecosystems on the planet. Not surprisingly, tourism is the main source of income in the Maldives. Behind last years the number of resorts has increased significantly, so everyone who wants to experience a piece of paradise will find a place for themselves here. The clear sea and many resorts in the Maldives will gladly welcome all guests.
Waters of Peyto Lake
Here you will not find warm beaches, since Peyto Lake is located in rocky mountains Canada is one of the most impressive in the world. Peyto Lake is fed by glacial melt water and is located in Banff National Park, which is best visited in the summer. During the warmer months, glacial mountain streams flow into Peyto, giving the lake its distinctive turquoise color. Because of its beauty, this place is especially popular with photographers and tourists.
Cleanliness of Crater Lake
Almost all crater lakes have the clearest, clearest water, and the lake in Crater National Park is no exception. The lake was formed when Mazama volcano collapsed thousands of years ago. Most deep lake in the United States, Crater Lake is also known as "old man" because of the huge tree that has stood upright in the middle of the lake for over 100 years.
Holbox Island
Known as a place for parties and vacations with Hollywood stars, Holbox Island in Mexico boasts the most clear sea in the world (at least locals sure of that). Isla Holbox is located on the Yucatan Peninsula and is popular destination for kiteboarding because of its ideal conditions: shallow water, wide sea area, and suitable winds.
The sea in Cayos Cochinos
For tourists who want to avoid commercialized attractions, Cayos Cochinos in Honduras will become great place for vacation. A group of islands in the Caribbean Sea is virtually untouched by man and devoid of roads. There are hiking trails that connect one beach to another. The waters in these parts have the purest marine life, making Cachinos an ideal place for swimming and diving.
Clear waters of Rio Azul
One of the confirmations of how clean the water is in Rio Azul is its second name - “blue river”. The water here is so pure that you can drink it. This is because the river, located in Argentina, gets its perfectly pure water from the glaciers and snow plains in the Andes. Being safe to drink, Rio Azul's water is absolutely clear and blue.
Colombian Playa Blanca
Playa Blanca, which means " White beach”, really matches his name. This is a very clean remote beach located 45 minutes by boat from Cartagena. Here you can wander on the powdery white sand and swim in its crystal clear waters in total privacy. You will not doubt for a second that the trip was worth it. In addition, here you can try fresh ceviche, which is sold right on the beach.
Sea in Bodrum
Turkey is very rich in history and seaport Bodrum stands out in this regard. Once upon a time, the legendary Mausoleum in Halicarnassus was built here - one of the Seven Wonders Ancient World. Bodrum is also famous for its amazing clear waters. Many divers say that the water is so clear that the boats on it seem to float in the air!
Italian Sardinia
Beautiful mediterranean island west coast Italy, Sardinia is known for its breathtaking beaches and stunning views of the mountains and seas. Visiting Sardinia allows you to kill two birds with one stone. You can comprehend history by looking at the ancient sights of Sardinia, or you can swim in the perfectly clear sea. The islands have remained untouched by commercial tourism and are considered the jewel of the Mediterranean.
Waters of the Verzasca River
In southern Switzerland, a 30-kilometer mountain river Verzasca, which flows into famous lake Maggiore. In addition to crystal clear turquoise waters and exotic-colored rocks, the river also has a very strong and dangerous current. But despite all the factors, it famous place for scuba diving, and the valley is often used for bungee jumping.
The purest source of Pupu
The beauty of New Zealand cannot be any films or photographs, even if it is Lord of the Rings. The beauty of the country is best appreciated physically by going on a trip here. One of the most beautiful places in the country - Pupu Spring, located on south island countries. The spring is believed by Maori to have spiritually healing powers. Most likely they think so because of the absolute purity of the water and its powerful streams, releasing 14,000 liters per second!
The beauty of Wineglass Bay
Australia's Gold Coast is known worldwide for its beautiful beaches and conditions for excellent surfing. But many don't know about Wineglass Bay, located in Tasmania's Freycinet National Park. The bay has a crescent shape, white sand beaches and transparent sea water. All this is complemented by a picturesque backdrop of pink and gray granite peaks. Read more about Wineglass Bay in a separate LifeGlobe article.
Clear waters of Belo Sur Mer
On the shore indian ocean The coastal city of Belo Sur Mer is located in Madagascar. The local waters are among the cleanest in the world. There is a chain 80 kilometers from the coast Virgin Islands where the water is even clearer and the beaches are completely deserted. Scuba diving is the most exciting activity of these islands filled with amazing marine life. Here you can meet the brightest and rarest representatives underwater world.
Egyptian Marsa Matruh
Egypt is known for its Red Sea, pyramids and deserts, but not many people know that there are also mediterranean resort with some of the cleanest waters in the world. At Mars Matruh, located to the west of ancient city Alexandria, very beautiful beaches with clear water and soft white sand. Its relatively calm seas are the result of the island being protected by a series of rock formations making Marsa Matruh calm and serene place for beach lovers.
We present to your attention a selection of 10 places with the cleanest and most transparent water.
1. Maldives.
The Maldives is a favorite destination for tourists from all over the world. There are a lot of reasons for this here: this is the sun, and the sea, and beautiful islands. The water here is so clear that being in a boat, you can see your shadow on the bottom of the sea.
2. Australia.
The water in this red stone cave is surprisingly clear. The only thing that distorts the view of the bottom is a slight ripple formed by a nearby waterfall.
3. Lake of five colors, China.
This lake is located in the Jiuzhaigou Valley in the northern Chinese province Sichuan. The lake of five colors is famous for its bottom, covered with a carpet of ancient trees, covered with a layer of clear water.
4. Sardinia.
Another popular place among tourists, you don’t even need to describe anything here, just look at the photo. The second largest island in the Mediterranean, Sardinia is home to some of the rarest animal and fish species.
5. Lake Crater.
Located in Oregon, Crater Lake was formed by an explosion ancient volcano about 7 thousand years ago.
6. Piccaninnie Ponds, Australia.
These ponds are a real nature reserve located in South Australia. You can dive into the water here only after obtaining a special permit, but it's worth it.
7. Lake Mashu.
Officially, this is one of the most transparent lakes in the world, which got its name from the mountain of the same name, at the foot of which it is located. The transparency of the water here reaches 41.6 meters.
8. Lake Sheosar, Pakistan.
Located in the northern part of Pakistan, it is natural lake so perfect that you might think it is the work of man. Surrounded by mountains, with animals walking along its banks, Lake Sheosar is deservedly considered one of the picturesque places planets.
9. Lake Peyto.
The attractive turquoise of Peyto Lake is the work of a local glacier.
10. Lake Baikal.
In addition to its purity, Lake Baikal is known as the deepest lake in the world. The world's second contender for this title, Lake Tanganyika, is behind the leader by as much as 200 meters. Spring transparency Baikal water is as much as 40 meters.
In some regions of our planet there are very Beautiful places with incredibly clean water, but no one can exactly explain what processes result in the water in these reservoirs being so clear. Most of these places are located in the tropical zone, but there are others that were formed as a result of volcanic processes. Here are 40 of the most impressive bodies of water, but there are many more such places on Earth.
In addition to Cozumel, there are several other areas in Mexico with clean and clear water. This place is very popular because cruise ships tourists are brought here to scuba dive and swim in the crystal clear water.
If someone likes to swim with sharks, then Jardines de la Reina is perfect place. Many photographers do not miss the opportunity to shoot these ocean monsters in unsafe proximity.
Thanks to clean and clear water off the sea in Wakatobi, Indonesia, you can enjoy the beauty of the underwater world, including brightly colored fish, algae, without having to dive deep. Wakatobi is an island national park Indonesia.
lake, average depth which is more than 700 m, for 25 million years. When it freezes, standing on the ice, one can see far into the depths thanks to the clear water.
In the Red Sea, you can swim with dolphins in crystal clear waters. The company can also be made up of giant turtles.
The name speaks for itself. "Playa Blanca" means "white beach" in Spanish. And indeed on canary islands, on the beaches, White sand. In addition, the water near the islands is very clean and transparent.
Sipadan Island tops the list of the most the best places in the world with perfectly clear water for scuba diving. Off the coast of the island, tourists can enjoy swimming in clear waters and watch the hammerhead sharks and barracudas that often swim here.
Lake Mackenzie is located off the coast of Queensland, Australia. picturesque island surrounded by jungle and eucalyptus trees. Fraser is considered the largest sand island in the world, according to the Australian Department environment.
Caribbean region can boast big amount beautiful islands, among which it is worth noting Dog Island in Panama. Off the coast of the island, the water is so clear that it seems that you can even drink it. The San Blas Islands are the most popular among tourists who visit Panama.
In the Enchanted River, the water is completely clear, and you can easily see the fish swimming in it. They say that it got its name as a result of the fact that a person who looks at the water for a long time becomes like a bewitched one. The beautiful blue color of the water was due to special minerals at the bottom of the river.
There is another beautiful island in Malaysia, Mabul Island. For several years, he topped the list of places where you can safely watch fish swimming in the water with the naked eye.
Perhaps Corfu is very popular among tourists due to the climate or the existence of the world's first philharmonic orchestra, or the school of arts, which is on the island. But we must not forget that off the coast beautiful island very clean water, which attracts here to relax and enjoy the beauties.
Tobermory is a peninsula off the coast of Ontario, Canada. At the bottom off the coast of this peninsula, you can count up to 50 sunken ships. The water is so clear that all the ships are clearly visible at the bottom. Tourists are happy to pay for the opportunity to scuba dive around them.
The town of Bonito, located in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, is known for having very clear water in the local river. Photographer Franco Banfi was able to photograph people above the surface of the water feeding the fish from the bottom of the river.
Kanawa Island belongs to the territory national park Komodo is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. You can rent a bungalow there for $70 per night. Unfortunately, there are often no available rooms due to the low cost.
Not many people know about the clean and clear water of Lake Arnancy, which is located in Switzerland. In it, the boat rather does not float, but soars through the air - in any case, this is the impression that is created. Most likely, due to its low popularity, this place has retained its originality and purity.
There are many on the Internet beautiful photos that testified to the uniqueness of Cala Corsara in the Maddalena archipelago, Italy. Not surprisingly, this is where George Clooney bought a house on the shores of Lake Como, which is located 15 hours from Sardinia.
On the island of Ternate there are several active volcanoes. Most likely it is volcanic activity is the reason for all the beauty that awaits everyone who is going to visit this place.
In Bonito, among the jungle, there is the Prata River with clear and transparent water. This is an ideal place for snorkeling and watching swimming fish. real paradise for divers.
If you want to go to the most popular place among movie stars, then you need to go to Tahiti. Celebrities such as Orlando Bloom and Nicole Kidman spent their holidays in this part. Pacific Ocean on the island of Bora Bora. Many newlyweds plan their Honeymoon right here.
If it’s boring to relax, swinging on quiet waves and watching the fish passing by, then you should go to one of
Where is the cleanest water in Russia and in the world. Rating of dozens of world countries with the most best quality drinking water. Peculiarities environmental situation in countries affecting the state of the aquatic environment. List of Russian regions with the best drinking water quality and excellent environmental situation. Do you want to know where is the cleanest water in Russia and in the world? Then the information from our article will help you understand this issue.
The cleanest water in the world
According to studies, Switzerland is the leader in the ranking of water purity. Moreover, the assessment was carried out not on the basis of consumer reviews or personal taste preferences, but on the basis of the analyzes performed. The main indicators of the aquatic environment, namely the organoleptic properties of water, its chemical and microbiological composition, were subject to verification, it was also taken into account that the Swiss completely abandoned the use of pesticides, and they also use high-tech cleaning devices. In almost all respects, water in this country received the highest rating.
Sweden ranks second in the "cleanest water" ranking. Such a high quality of drinking liquid is explained by the respect for nature, the water protection measures used and the conservation of forests. That is why it can be argued that the water quality in this country is ideal, and emissions carbon dioxide into the air are kept to a minimum.
The cleanest drinking water is also in Norway, because in this country the quality surface water, from which water is taken for drinking needs of the population, is simply impeccable. An equally important role is played by high-quality water treatment facilities, as well as an effective multi-level wastewater treatment system. Moreover, electricity in this country is almost entirely produced by hydroelectric power plants, which allows you to keep the environment clean.
Finland occupies the fourth position in the drinking water purity rating. And this is not surprising, because there are many crystal clear lakes in the country, the state takes care of their cleanliness. At the same time, the state has a large-scale program for the treatment of industrial and agricultural effluents, as well as the protection of the cleanliness of the coastal waters.
In fifth place is the country Central America- Costa Rica, so when asked where the cleanest water is, it cannot be said that only in Europe. This quality of drinking water is the result of careful caring for nature, as well as the use of efficient treatment facilities. Waste water of any origin is subject to thorough multi-stage treatment.
The quality of drinking water in Australia is no less good. Here they not only take care of the cleanliness of natural reservoirs and use effective water protection measures, but also thoroughly clean any wastewater.
The next step in the drinking water quality rating was taken by New Zealand. However, they have yet to solve the problem of carbon dioxide emissions into the external environment. In addition, the protection of the purity of the sea area remains an equally urgent problem. It was these unresolved problems that did not allow them to take higher steps in the ranking.
At the tenth step of our rating there are several countries at once. These are Latvia, France and Colombia. They still have to solve a number of problems related to the protection of the environment and water basins. And perhaps then they will be able to take a more honorable place.
The cleanest water in Russia
Unfortunately, Russia is not among the top ten countries with the best drinking water quality. However, there are places in our country where the quality of drinking water is considered very good. These include the following regions of the Russian Federation:
- Altai region. This region is the cleanest, so the water quality is much better than in other parts of the country. The region is rightfully considered the “green pharmacy of Russia”. Pure mountain lakes, healing air - all this contributes to the high quality of drinking water. At the same time, the government cares about the ecology of the region, so the use of efficient treatment facilities is a prerequisite for any industrial and production activity.
- The protected regions of Karelia are also the part of the country that is lucky with the quality of drinking water. Not a small merit in this is the favorable ecological situation in the region. Of course, we are not talking about large industrial cities where the environmental situation leaves much to be desired.
- The Republic of Tyva is a region with healing mineral lakes, so the quality of drinking water here is at its best. It is difficult to say which water is the purest, but a direct relationship between the ecological situation in the region and the quality of drinking water can be easily traced. That is why this republic was included in the rating of places with high quality drinking water, because there are so many protected natural areas.
- Kabardino-Balkaria is another region in southern Russia where the quality of drinking water is very high. The region is rich mineral springs and clean healthy air.
- Buryatia is located in the center of Asia - a region with the cleanest waters and excellent ecology. This is due to the fact that about 16 percent of the Baikal coast is considered an ecological protected area. It is impossible to build industrial and economic facilities there. The excellent ecological situation in the region is facilitated by violent coniferous forests, parks and reserves.
If you want to know the quality of drinking water in your region, you can order a comprehensive analysis of the aquatic environment in our laboratory. To do this, you just need to contact us at the phone numbers indicated on the website and clarify the cost of the check with our manager.
