QUALITY OF WATER SUPPLY AS A COMPONENT OF THE HEALTH AND RECREATION ENVIRONMENT AT THE MUNICIPAL ENTERPRISE «RIVNE REGIONAL CLINICAL HOSPITAL» OF THE RIVNE REGIONAL COUNCIL

Introduction. To assess the available physicochemical and microbiological evidence for autonomous water supply at the Municipal Enterprise «Rivne Regional Clinical Hospital» of the Rivne Regional Council and identify priorities for preventive water-quality management in a rehabilitation setting. Materials and Methods. A documentary case study used well records and physicochemical laboratory protocols No. 133 and No. 134 (sampling on 19 February 2025), microbiological protocols No. 1717 and No. 1718 (sampling on 19 February 2025), and archival physicochemical protocol No. 324 (sampling on 26 July 2022). Descriptive comparisons were restricted to indicators actually reported in these documents; the archival and contemporary observations were analysed separately. Results. The study examined selected characteristics of the autonomous groundwater supply system serving the Municipal Enterprise «Rivne Regional Clinical Hospital» of the Rivne Regional Council. The available documentation describes two artesian wells associated with the Upper Cretaceous aquifer of the Volyn-Podilskyi artesian basin. However, the reported well yield and operational characteristics require verification against the original technical passports and cannot independently demonstrate uninterrupted water supply. Physicochemical testing of a well-water sample collected on 19 February 2025 recorded a pH of 7.2, total hardness of 5.5 mmol/dm³, dry residue of 370.0 mg/dm³, nitrate concentration of 26.6 mg/dm³, chloride concentration of 30.8 mg/dm³ and sulphate concentration of 21.8 mg/dm³. Ammonium, nitrites and total iron were reported below the corresponding laboratory detection or reporting limits. The internal-network sample contained 25.1 mg/dm³ of nitrates, less than 0.003 mg/dm³ of nitrites, less than 0.1 mg/dm³ of ammonium and less than 0.05 mg/dm³ of total iron. Microbiological testing at two internal-network sampling points recorded total microbial counts of 4 and 7 CFU/cm³, respectively. Total coliforms, Escherichia coli and enterococci were not detected in either sample. Archival physicochemical results from July 2022 were analysed separately and did not provide sufficient evidence for identifying long-term water-quality trends. The available protocols do not contain verified concentrations of calcium, magnesium or bicarbonates and therefore do not support a detailed hydrochemical classification. The findings characterize water quality at specific sampling points and dates, while highlighting the need for regular monitoring, technical inspection and preventive management of the entire water supply chain. They do not establish system-wide microbiological safety or long-term operational reliability. Conclusions. The documented samples provide a limited, point-specific basis for assessing water quality at the hospital. The practical significance of the findings for rehabilitation and recreation lies in identifying priorities for maintaining a safe health and recreation environment through regular water-quality monitoring and preventive management. Continued physicochemical and microbiological surveillance, verification of well and distribution-network operating conditions, and implementation of a preventive water-safety plan are recommended. Claims of system-wide safety, long-term reliability or suitability for specific rehabilitation and recreational procedures require additional evidence.