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Water plan of the Slovak Republic - Update 2021 (2021)
Areas determined for the abstraction of water for human consumption
1. Strategy Goals
Microbiological and biological indicators
In 2022, the exceedance of hygienic limits in drinking water in distribution networks was recorded in the following indicators: Escherichia coli, coliform bacteria, enterococci, cultivated microorganisms at 22oC and 36oC, Clostridium perfringens and living organisms. The presence of Escherichia coli, coliform bacteria and enterococci indicates faecal contamination from the intestinal tract of warm-blooded animals, including humans, and shows the lack of protection of water resources and shortcomings in treatment and health security of drinking water.
Occurrence of excessive values of culturable microorganisms at 22°C and 36°C is an indication of general contamination of water.
Microbiological and biological indicators of drinking water in distribution networks in SR
Source:WRI
Radiological indicator
In 2022, only the indicator of total volume activity alpha did not comply with Ministry of Health Decree no. 100/2018 Coll. A higher percentage of non-compliant analyzes since 2016 for the indicator total volume alpha activity caused a reduction of the limit value for the given indicator from 0.2 to 0.1 Bq/l (according to the requirement of the original SR Government Regulation No. 8/2016 Coll., which is amended and supplemented by SR Government Regulation No. 354/2006 Coll. z).
Water disinfection
Drinking water supplied by a system of mass supply does not have to be, in regards to health, secured by disinfection if there is not a risk of contamination in the water source and the supply network, and if the water in the water source meets the limits of the quality indicators long-term.
The disinfection of drinking water is mostly carried out via a chemical process of chloration. The decree MoH SR No 247/2017 Coll. establishes, for the content of free chlorine in drinking water, the limit marginal value of 0.3 mg.l-1. If the water is disinfected by chlorine, the minimum value of free chlorine in the supply network does not have to be 0.05 mg.l-1.
The share of analyses not complying with the decree MoH SR No 247/2017 Coll. of requirements for drinking water and the control of drinking water quality due to exceeding the value of 0.3 mg.l-1 was 1.13% in 2022. The requirement of the original Regulation of the Government for the minimal content of free chlorine of 0.05 mg/l was not met by 13.36% of drinking water samples.
Disinfectants and their by-products in drinking water networks
Drinking water
Last update of indicator24.01.2024
Indicator definition
The indicator describes the number of population supplied from public water supply systems, drinking water quality in them and the specific water consumption in households.
Related policy documents and targets
Action Plan for Water Protection in the Protected Water Management Area of Žitný ostrov (2023)
The main goal of the Action Plan is to effectively protect the quality and quantity of groundwater on Žitný ostrov as the most important source of drinking water in Slovakia.
Therefore, the proposed preventive measures are mainly aimed at:
• preventing or limiting the entry of pollutants into the groundwater and preventing the deterioration of the condition of all groundwater bodies,
• reversing any significant and permanently upward trend in the concentration of the pollutant, which is caused by human activity, in order to gradually reduction of groundwater pollution. The key areas for which measures are proposed in the Action Plan were identified in the Problem Analysis. These are the following areas/problems:
• excessive use and development of the territory threatening the quality and quantity of water in CHVO Žitný ostrov,
• unsupportive legal regulations and weak enforcement of the law,
• insufficient information system and connection of monitoring systems,
• insufficient environmental awareness and education of professional and lay people public.
Based on the analysis and the established vision, specific goals were proposed:
• sustainable use of the territory and its development,
• safe drinking water taken from CHVO Žitný ostrov,
• reduction of threats to groundwater quality from local sources of pollution,
• reliable monitoring and information system,
• environmentally responsible approach to the protection and use of water.
The implementation of the Action Plan will be evaluated in 2027. The measures will be evaluated and then, as necessary, incorporated into the update of the Water Plan of Slovakia, or to planning documents in other areas (e.g. waste management, environmental burdens, spatial planning).
The concept of the water policy of the Slovak Republic until 2030 with a view to 2050 (2022)
The concept formulates measures in ten areas of intervention and indicators and a time frame for the implementation of individual measures are assigned to them. The achievement of the target value is generally considered for the year 2030, unless another time frame is indicated. In the case of indicators where the initial value is not known, the expected development trend (increasing/decreasing) is indicated.
The concept of water policy focuses on ten priority areas, which are interconnected, and focuses on the area of water use.
3. Sustainable use of water
Goal 3.1. Sustainable and efficient use of surface and underground waters without endangering their quantity and quality
Goal 3.2. Functional crisis management in times of drought and water shortages
4. Water for all residents
Goal 4.1. Ensuring the supply of health-safe drinking water for all residents
Goal 4.2. Increasing the connection of residents to municipal wastewater treatment systems and increasing the share of treated municipal wastewater
Water plan of the Slovak Republic - Update 2021 (2021)
Areas determined for the abstraction of water for human consumption
In terms of Art. 7, par. 1 and Art. 6 par. 2 WFD, it is necessary that every object from which the drinking water is abstracted in an amount of more than 10 m3 per day or it is used by more than 50 persons, is defined as a protected area. Furthermore, Art. 7 par. 3 WFD requires to ensure the necessary protection of these water bodies in order not to worsen their quality, and reduce the extent of treatment needed for the production of drinking water. Member States may establish safeguard zones for those water bodies. In Slovakia, protective zones of water sources for human consumption are defined under the section 32 of Act no. 364/2004 Coll. on waters as amended by Act no. 384/2009 Coll.
Protection zones of water sources within the meaning of this Act are defined by the State Water Management Authority based on the public health authority’s binding opinion. Protection zones are divided into:
- protection zone of Ist level - used for the protection in the immediate proximity of water abstraction or arresting devices
- protection zone of IInd level - used for the protection of water resource against threats from more distant places.
To enhance the protection of the water resources the state water management authority may determine also the IIIrd level protection zone.
Each protection zone has a defined management regime to protect drinking waters. Objectives under the Art. 7 par. 3 WFD are currently reached, no measures are required.
Protection zones of water sources within the meaning of this Act are defined by the State Water Management Authority based on the public health authority’s binding opinion. Protection zones are divided into:
- protection zone of Ist level - used for the protection in the immediate proximity of water abstraction or arresting devices
- protection zone of IInd level - used for the protection of water resource against threats from more distant places.
To enhance the protection of the water resources the state water management authority may determine also the IIIrd level protection zone.
Each protection zone has a defined management regime to protect drinking waters. Objectives under the Art. 7 par. 3 WFD are currently reached, no measures are required.
Plan for the development of public water supply systems and public sewers for the territory of the Slovak Republic for the years 2022 - 2027 (2021)
A. Plan for the development of public water supply systems
The Water Supply Development Plan is a starting document drawn up in accordance with the requirements established by the European Union for the fulfillment of the basic condition for the financing of measures in the field of water management in the program period 2022 – 2027.
The goal of the Public Water Supply Development Plan is to analyze the conditions for ensuring the necessary level of drinking water supply, to establish priorities and conditions for its implementation.
The strategic goal of the development of public water supply systems is to increase the number of inhabitants supplied from public water supply systems and to ensure the supply of health-safe drinking water.
The plan for the development of public water supply systems proposes to implement:
- construction of public water supply systems in villages without water supply systems
- increasing the number of inhabitants supplied from public water supply systems
- and ensuring problem-free supplying residents with safe drinking water without negative impacts on residents' health and the environment.
The strategic goal is to ensure that the supplied drinking water meets health safety requirements and the limits of drinking water quality indicators for all residents of the Slovak Republic. Municipalities within the reach of the constructed water systems will gradually be supplied with water and the inhabitants will be supplied with drinking water supplied from high-quality water sources. Water supplies should gradually be built in municipalities that are beyond the reach of current water supplies and large-capacity sources. In the case of municipalities that are currently without a public water supply system, a proposal is presented to solve the supply until 2027, or the following years, depending on available public financial resources. If no solution method is proposed for the village, this village will be solved after 2027.
Strategy of the environmental policy of the Slovak Republic - Greener Slovakia (2019)
Sustainable Use and Effective Protection of Natural Resources
Goals: A good condition and water potential of all water bodies through the restoration of river ecosystems will be accomplished.
1.4 Adjustment of Sustainable Water Prices
The water pricing model will include environmental protection costs as well as costs for resources, in accordance with the "polluter pays" principle.Until now, environmental protection costs have been taken into account only partially, a rise in prices was mainly due to costs ofproducing and supplying drinking water through the public water supply network, drainage and waste water treatment. A price of water that is used in agriculture will guarantee an environmentally sustainable production of agriculture, even during the drought periods
1.4 Adjustment of Sustainable Water Prices
The water pricing model will include environmental protection costs as well as costs for resources, in accordance with the "polluter pays" principle.Until now, environmental protection costs have been taken into account only partially, a rise in prices was mainly due to costs ofproducing and supplying drinking water through the public water supply network, drainage and waste water treatment. A price of water that is used in agriculture will guarantee an environmentally sustainable production of agriculture, even during the drought periods
The Slovak Republic Strategy for Adaptation to Adverse Effects of Climate Change- Update (2018)
1. Strategy Goals
The main goal of the updated the Slovak Republic Strategy for Adaptation to Adverse Effects of Climate Change is to prepare Slovakia for tackling the adverse effects of climate change, deliver comprehensive information about the current state of adaptation processes in Slovakia, and based on their analysis establish an institutional framework for a coordinating mechanism which will ensure effective implementation of adaptation measures across all levels and in all areas, as well as improve general awareness of the domain.
5. Impact of climate change on select areas and recommended adaptation measures
5.4. Water regime and water management
Adaptation measures in local conditions should aim at compensating for the instances of drought, that is, the decrease of flows of water and water yields, as well as minimising the negative consequences of floods, especially flash floods in montane and submontane regions. Climate change adaptation within the domain of water management should be oriented towards implementing measures which will create the conditions for better water outflow management in catchment areas. In the domain of water management elements of green and blue infrastructure, green structural approaches and non-structural adaptation concepts should be prioritised over elements of grey infrastructure whenever it is technically possible and efficient to do so. Adaptation measures should focus on preserving or improving the current state of water, with the aim of achieving its good state, efficient and sustainable utilisation of water resources, protection against floods and contribution towards protection of nature and land and support with ecosystem services provision. It is important to create space for a wider application of so-called "green" measures in catchment areas where the main goal is to increase the land's adaptability through regeneration and improvement of efficiency of ecosystem functions of the land. "Green" measures are recognised as the better environmental choice, that is, as supplementary-mitigating measures with the aim of minimising the consequences of grey infrastructure, assuming that they are equally effective or more effective in regards to set goals.
Water is becoming a critical strategic stock of the state and it is necessary to protect it and manage its rational and efficient use in line with the goal of ensuring sustainable development. Justifiably, the highest priority is given to water sources, their protection and the need of their more efficient use.
Proposed adaptation measures
-slowing down of water outflow from catchment areas
-decreasing of the maximum flow of floods
-risk assessment
-water management
-general
Key question
Is the access to safe drinking water satisfactorily ensured?Key messages
- Drinking water quality in the Slovak Republic has a long-term high level. In 2022, the share of drinking water analyses meeting limit values amounted to 99.81%, while in 2006 it was 99.32%.
- The share of samples meeting the drinking water quality requirements in all indicators reached a value of 96.14%. The free chlorine indicator is not included in these proportions.
| Change since 2005 | Change since 2015 | Last year-on-year change |
|---|---|---|
 |
|
|
| Drinking water quality shows a long-term positive status and trend. | The positive status and development of quality drinking water persisted. |
The share of analyzes complying with hygiene limits was at the level of 2021. The share of samples complying with all indicators of drinking water quality increased. |
Summary assessment
Exceedance of limit values in drinking water samples
| Year |
2005 |
2015 |
2022 |
| Share of analyses meeting hygienic limits * | 99.32 % | 99.70 % | 99.81 % |
| Share of samples meeting all requirements for drinking water quality in all indicators | 89.59 % | 94.52 % | 96.14 % |
* The shares do not include free chlorine
Source: WRI
Source: WRI
Total number of analyzes (blue) and number of over-limit (red) analyzes of indicators with the most frequently exceeded limit value of biological and microbiological indicators (2022)
Source: WRI
The total number of analyzes (blue) and the number of over-limit (red) analyzes of indicators with the most frequently exceeded limit value, which can adversely affect the sensory quality of drinking water (2022)
Source: WRI
Detailed assessment
- Monitoring and evaluation of drinking water quality
Quality control of water and its health safety is determined by the presence of a set of water quality indicators representing physical, chemical, biological and microbiological qualities of water. Drinking water quality indicators are defined by Decree of the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic No. 247/2017 Coll., which establishes specifics on drinking water quality, drinking water quality control, monitoring programme and risk management in drinking water supply, as amended (Decree of the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic No. 97/2018 Coll.) and Decree of the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic No. 100/2018 Coll. on the limiting exposure of the population to drinking water, natural mineral water and spring water. Apart from complete water analysis for control and gathering of regular information about the stability of water sources and the effectiveness of treatment of water, especially disinfection, about biological quality and sensory qualities of drinking water minimal analysis is also conducted – i.e. examination of 26 indicators of water quality and water chlorine, specifically chlorine dioxide.
In 2022, in the water companies´ operational laboratories 18,272 samples of drinking water were analysed, in which 538,907 analyses of drinking water individual indicators were done. The share of drinking water analyses complying with hygienic limits reached the value of 99.81% in 2022. The share of samples meeting the requirements of all indicators on the quality of drinking water amounted to 96.14%. These shares don´t include the indicator of free chlorine whose assessment in relation to the microbiological quality of drinking water was done separately.
In 2022, in the water companies´ operational laboratories 18,272 samples of drinking water were analysed, in which 538,907 analyses of drinking water individual indicators were done. The share of drinking water analyses complying with hygienic limits reached the value of 99.81% in 2022. The share of samples meeting the requirements of all indicators on the quality of drinking water amounted to 96.14%. These shares don´t include the indicator of free chlorine whose assessment in relation to the microbiological quality of drinking water was done separately.
Microbiological and biological indicators
In 2022, the exceedance of hygienic limits in drinking water in distribution networks was recorded in the following indicators: Escherichia coli, coliform bacteria, enterococci, cultivated microorganisms at 22oC and 36oC, Clostridium perfringens and living organisms. The presence of Escherichia coli, coliform bacteria and enterococci indicates faecal contamination from the intestinal tract of warm-blooded animals, including humans, and shows the lack of protection of water resources and shortcomings in treatment and health security of drinking water.
Occurrence of excessive values of culturable microorganisms at 22°C and 36°C is an indication of general contamination of water.
Microbiological and biological indicators of drinking water in distribution networks in SR
|
Indicator
|
Number of analyses | % of analyses complying with Decree no.151/2004 Coll. | % of analyses complying with Government Regulation no.354/2006 Coll. | % of analyses complying with Decree MoH SR 247/2017 Coll. | ||
| 2006 | 2010 | 2022 | 2006 | 2010 | 2022 | |
| Escherichia coli | 11 036 | 7 559 | 16 902 | 99,43 | 98,82 | 99,76 |
| Coliform bacteria | 11 901 | 7 565 | 16 901 | 97,82 | 97,24 | 99,24 |
| Enterococci | 11 889 | 7 543 | 16 900 | 99,11 | 98,55 | 99,50 |
| Culturable microorganisms at 22oC | 11 299 | 7 765 | 16 844 | 99,67 | 99,32 | 99,59 |
| Culturable microorganisms at 36oC | - | 6 575 | 16 894 | - | 99,04 | 99,46 |
| Clostridium perfringens |
- | - | 4 379 | - | - | 99,68 |
| Living organisms (except of colourless Flagellata) | 10 610 | 7 765 | 16 697 | 99,68 | 99,68 | 99,92 |
| Micromycetes microscopically detectable | - | - | 16 697 | - | - | 99,94 |
| Abioseston | - | - | 16 697 | - | - | 99,92 |
Source:WRI
Physical and chemical indicators
Physical and chemical indicators
From inorganic drinking water quality indicators, which in 2022 did not meet the threshold indicators: iron and manganese.
For organic water quality parameters, the threshold limit value was exceeded for dichlorobenzene (0.20%) and total organic carbon (1.03%). In the indicator "total pesticides" there was no exceedance of the threshold limit value, in the evaluation of individual pesticides there were exceedances only in case of heptachlor (1 sample - 0.07%), alachlor (2 samples - 0.25%) and acetochlor (2 samples - 0.34%).
Physical and chemical indicators of drinking water in distribution networks in SR
| Inorganic indicators | Number of analyses | % of analyses complying with Decree no.151/2004 Coll. | % of analyses complying with Government Regulation no.354/2006 Coll. | % of analyses complying with decree MoH SR 247/2017 Coll. | ||
| 2006 | 2010 | 2022 | 2006 | 2010 | 2022 | |
| Antimony | 1 680 | 1 263 | 2 499 | 99,70 | 99,92 | 99,88 |
| Arsenic | 1 655 | 1 232 | 2 498 | 99,58 | 98,92 | 100,00 |
| Nitrates | 11 029 | 7 674 | 16 525 | 99,96 | 99,91 | 99,99 |
| Nitrites | 11 080 | 7 673 | 16 539 | 99,87 | 100,00 | 99,99 |
| Fluoride | 1 906 | 1 304 | 2 501 | 100,00 | 100,00 | 100,00 |
| Cadmium | 1 583 | 1 262 | 2 499 | 100,00 | 100,00 | 100,00 |
| Nickel | 1 580 | 1 232 | 2 498 | 99,94 | 100,00 | 100,00 |
| Lead | 1 584 | 1 261 | 2 500 | 100,00 | 100,00 | 100,00 |
| Organic indicators | Number of analyses | % of analyses complying with Decree no.151/2004 Coll. | % of analyses complying with Government Regulation no.354/2006 Coll. | % of analyses complying with decree MoH SR 247/2017 Coll. | ||
| 2000 | 2005 | 2022 | 2000 | 2005 | 2022 | |
| Benzene | 566 | 1 368 | 2 500 | 100,00 | 100,00 | 100,00 |
| Dichlorbenzene | 437 | 1 297 | 2 500 | 100,00 | 99,85 | 99,80 |
| 1,2 dichlorethane | 568 | 1 368 | 2 500 | 100,00 | 100,00 |
100,00 |
| Vynilchlorine | - | 1 111 | 100,00 | - | 100,00 | |
| Benzo(a)pyrene | - | 2 434 | 99,91 | - | 100,00 | |
| Pesticides in total | 307 | 1 297 | 2 482 | 100,00 | 100,00 | 100,00 |
| Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) | - | 1 229 | 2 498 | - | 99,84 | 99,96 |
Source:WRI
| Indicators influencing sensorial quality of water | Number of analyses | % of analyses complying with Decree no.151/2004 Coll. | % of analyses complying with Government Regulation no.354/2006 Coll. | % of analyses complying with decree MoH SR 247/2017 Coll. | ||
| 2006 | 2010 | 2022 | 2006 | 2010 | 2022 | |
| Ammonium | 11 086 | 7 671 | 16 752 | 99,93 | 99,99 | 99,97 |
| COD-Mn | 11 104 | 7 686 | 16 845 | 99,92 | 99,90 | 99,95 |
| Manganese | 11 153 | 7 694 | 16 772 | 99,08 | 98,91 | 99,65 |
| Water reaction | 10 354 | 7 709 | 17 047 | 99,37 | 99,74 | 99,84 |
| Iron | 11 227 | 7 731 | 17 014 | 95,27 | 95,12 | 98,74 |
| Colour | 10 970 | 7 680 | 16 953 | 98,24 | 98,15 | 99,88 |
| Sulphates | 2 086 | 1 557 | 2 497 | 99,42 | 99,87 | 99,88 |
| Turbidity | 10 755 | 7 724 | 17 013 | 99,76 | 99,24 | 99,76 |
Source:WRI
Radiological indicator
In 2022, only the indicator of total volume activity alpha did not comply with Ministry of Health Decree no. 100/2018 Coll. A higher percentage of non-compliant analyzes since 2016 for the indicator total volume alpha activity caused a reduction of the limit value for the given indicator from 0.2 to 0.1 Bq/l (according to the requirement of the original SR Government Regulation No. 8/2016 Coll., which is amended and supplemented by SR Government Regulation No. 354/2006 Coll. z).
The results of radiological indicators of drinking water monitoring in distribution networks in SR
| Radiological indicators |
Number of analyses | % of analyses complying with Decree no.12/2001 Coll. | % of analyses complying with Decree no.528/2007 Coll. | % of analyses complying with decree MoH SR 247/2017 Coll. | ||
| 2006 | 2010 | 2020 | 2000 | 2005 | 2020 | |
| total volume activity alpha | 1 286 | 1 005 | 1 803 | 98,76 | 99,80 | 93,73 |
| total volume activity beta | 1 288 | 1 004 | 1 783 | 99,84 | 100,00 | 100,00 |
| volume activity of radon 222 | 864 | 769 | 1 596 | 99,54 | 99,74 | 99,94 |
Source:WRI
Water disinfection
Drinking water supplied by a system of mass supply does not have to be, in regards to health, secured by disinfection if there is not a risk of contamination in the water source and the supply network, and if the water in the water source meets the limits of the quality indicators long-term.
The disinfection of drinking water is mostly carried out via a chemical process of chloration. The decree MoH SR No 247/2017 Coll. establishes, for the content of free chlorine in drinking water, the limit marginal value of 0.3 mg.l-1. If the water is disinfected by chlorine, the minimum value of free chlorine in the supply network does not have to be 0.05 mg.l-1.
The share of analyses not complying with the decree MoH SR No 247/2017 Coll. of requirements for drinking water and the control of drinking water quality due to exceeding the value of 0.3 mg.l-1 was 1.13% in 2022. The requirement of the original Regulation of the Government for the minimal content of free chlorine of 0.05 mg/l was not met by 13.36% of drinking water samples.
Disinfectants and their by-products in drinking water networks
|
Disinfectants and their by-products
|
Number of analyses | % of analyses complying with Decree no.151/2004 Coll. | % of analyses complying with Government Regulation no.354/2006 Coll. | % of analyses complying with decree MoH SR 247/2017 Coll. | ||
| 2006 | 2010 | 2022 | 2006 | 2010 | 2022 | |
|
Free chlorine
|
10 743 | 7 658 | 13 759 | 85,52 | 91,01 | 98,87 |
|
Trihalomethane
|
1 163 | 1 187 | 2 415 |
100,00 |
100,00 | 100,00 |
|
Chlorine dioxide
|
1 671 | 98 | 1 713 | 99,82 | 96,94 | 99,77 |
Source:WRI
Drinking water from distribution network with unsatisfactory concentration of active chlorine
Drinking water from distribution network with unsatisfactory concentration of active chlorine
| Indicator | % of analyses complying with decree MoH SR 247/2017 Coll. |
| 2022 | |
| Concentration of active chlorine below 0.05 mg/l | 13,36 |
| Concentration of active chlorine above 0.3 mg/l | 1,13 |
Source:WRI