Physical and chemical characteristics of drinking water in the area of Herzegovina-neretva canton

Introduction: The health suitability of drinking water is one of the basic measures to protect human health. Water analysis is the determination of organoleptic, physico-chemical, microbiological and other properties of water, in order to determine its health suitability. Methods: The aim of the work is to examine the physical and chemical characteristics of drinking water in the Herzegovina-Neretva canton using the standard methods prescribed by the Ordinance on health safety of drinking water and to determine the physical and chemical parameters. On the basis of the obtained physical and chemical indicators, obtain a detailed description of the state of water in the area of that canton. In the research, samples were taken from the area of Herzegovina-Neretva canton, sources are Dunajac (Čitluk Municipality), Neretva (Čitluk Municipality) and Radobolja (City of Mostar), which form the basis of the water supply of the aforementioned canton. The physical and chemical testing of water samples was carried out in the period from April 12 to 21, 2021. Water sampling was carried out according to the instructions prescribed by the Ordinance on health safety of drinking water. In the laboratory of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Mostar, we performed the following procedures: measurement of pH values and electrical conductivity; procedures necessary for the determination of dry matter in samples such as filtration, drying, weighing and others; in order to determine the alkalinity of the water, the chloride in the water and the total hardness of the water, we carried out certain titrations; we also performed the necessary procedures to determine the consumption of potassium permanganate in the samples. The results of the sample analyzes were processed and presented in a table. Results: It can be seen that all the tested parameters were within the maximum allowed values, prescribed by the Ordinance on health safety of drinking water. Conclusion: According to the obtained results of the physical and chemical analyzes of the waters of the mentioned sources, we can conclude that the water in the area of Herzegovina-Neretva canton is safe and suitable for human consumption.