THE IMPACT OF PHYSICAL PROCESSES ON WATER QUALITY INDICATORS FROM NATURAL SOURCES IN THE CITY OF VYNNYKY, LVIV REGION

Introduction. The quality of drinking water is a critical factor influencing both public health and environmental safety. Special attention should be given to natural water sources that are used by the local population without prior treatment.Purpose. To study water from various natural sources in Vynnyky, a town in the Lviv Region, and to analyze the effects of boiling and freezing on its quality.Methods. Water samples were collected from two natural springs in Vynnyky, a town in the Lviv Region, located on B. Khmelnytsky Street and M. Kypriyan Street. The study involved three types of samples: untreated (ordinary) water, water after freezing, and water after boiling. The following parameters were analyzed on-site: pH, nitrate, nitrite, sulfate, and chloride concentrations.Results. The pH values of the water samples varied depending on the treatment method. An increase in pH was observed in the boiled water, which can be attributed to the evaporation of water and the resulting concentration of alkaline salts. In the samples from the spring on M. Kypriyan Street, a slight increase in pH was also recorded after freezing, indicating a high concentration of alkaline components.The most significant changes were recorded in nitrate concentrations. In the samples from the spring on M. Kypriyan Street, the highest nitrate levels were detected — 393 mg/L in frozen water and 307 mg/L after boiling, which greatly exceeds the maximum allowable limit of 50 mg/L according to the drinking water standard DSanPiN 2.2.4-171-10. This may indicate contamination of groundwater in the area by agrochemicals or domestic sources. In the water from the spring on B. Khmelnytsky Street, nitrate levels were lower but also increased after thermal treatment. Nitrites, chlorides, and sulfates were not detected in any of the analyzed samples.Conclusions. The condition of natural springs located on B. Khmelnytsky Street and M. Kypriyan Street in Vynnyky was analyzed. The conducted research determined that the water is unsuitable for drinking purposes. According to the results, all samples showed exceedances in various parameters.