The quality of water supplied by “Vilniaus vandenys” is constantly monitored by a drinking water laboratory certified to conduct microbiological, physicochemical and chemical tests on drinking water.
The laboratory analyses the drinking water of Vilnius City and the districts of Šalčininkai, Švenčionys and Vilnius. The laboratory conducts over 20,000 different water tests per year. Chemical (indicator and toxic), physical and microbiological water quality indicators in drinking water are tested in accordance with the Hygiene Norm HN 24:2017 of Lithuania “Safety and Quality Requirements for Drinking Water”. Currently, more than 50 indicators are identified.
Although our groundwater is protected from external pollution, yet intensive human activities (industry, agriculture, transport, domestic waste) are constantly polluting the environment and this can lead to harmful substances entering the water. This requires consistent and continuous monitoring of drinking water.
Almost all the elements in water are needed by the human body. Drinking water provides us with between 1 and 10% of the required our daily micronutrient intake, but excess micronutrients in water can lead to a wide range of functional disorders and diseases. Concentrations (values) of these substances are therefore strictly limited.
The water supplied is safe and of excellent quality if the amounts of the indicators detected do not exceed the limit and specification values and comply with the requirements of the Hygiene Norm HN 24:2017 of Lithuania “Safety and Quality Requirements for Drinking Water” and the requirements of the EU Council Directive 98/83/EC “On the quality of water intended for human consumption”. In the event of a risk of microbial contamination, it is possible to disinfect drinking water with sodium hypochlorite solution at water abstraction points operated by “Vilniaus vandenys.”
Drinking water must meet the following requirements:
- It must be free of pathogenic micro-organisms, viruses and protozoa.
- The water must have good organoleptic properties (taste, smell, clarity, etc.).
- Water must not contain more toxic substances and salts than allowed by standards.
