Systematic analyses of analytical data from quality control of drinking water

The quality and safety of Icelandic drinking water has been controlled and monitored for many decades. The current Icelandic regulation on drinking water was issued in 2001 and is based on the EU drinking water directive that requires regular control analyses for some microbiological, chemical and physical parameters in all water works.  A more extensive analyses especially covering chemical analysis is also required for all the bigger water suppliers but not as frequently as the regular analyses.  A large number of results with analytical data for drinking water are available from official control and internal control in water works.  By processing the data new information will be gathered that will give answers to questions concerning significant changes in microbiological, chemical and physical properties of drinking water for the last 12 years from selected water works that are run by Orkuveita Reykjavikur.  To verify and support the information analysed real time research on microbiological, chemical and physical parameters will be carried out at the selected water works and at selected points in the distribution systems.  The combination of the microbiological flora in the drinking water will also be investigated with molecular methods. The main objectives of the study are: 1) Systematic analysis of data from microbiological, chemical and physical analysis of drinking water, 2) Collection of information from the database on possible local influences caused by weather and temperature on microbiological, chemical and physical properties of drinking water, 3) Collection of information from the database on the influences of the distribution system on microbiological, chemical and physical properties of drinking water, 4) Carry out research to verify and support the information provided by analysis of the previously mentioned data, 5) Explore the possibilities to use of information from the database and the research results for revision and improvement of quality and safety control systems at water works.

Project manager

• Hrólfur Sigurðsson
  Research Scientist
  Tel.: 422 5062

Research field

• Analysis and Consulting