Analytical results of checks performed by local health authority
The following table shows the average concentrations of some parameters measured during checks carried out by the local health authorities through the Arpae laboratories in Emilia Romagna in 2020, in the North East, and in the province of Pesaro Urbino.
The shown values have been calculated as weighted averages on distributed volumes of the outcomes of analyses executed at distribution plant sampling points. The term 'distribution plant' refers to all water network feed facilities - water towers and/or holding tanks and connected works - and all the piping that carries water to individual points of delivery.
Overall, with respect to these parameters, 32,755 analyses have been carried out in 2020
Water quality: average concentrations measured by public monitoring bodies (2020)3
| D.Lgs. n. 31/2001 | Bologna Area | Ferrara Area | Forlì-Cesena Area | Modena Area | Padova Area | Prov. Pesaro-Urbino Area | Ravenna Area | Rimini Area | Trieste Area | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alkalinity of bicarbonates (mg/l) | - | 273 | 206 | 272 | 274 | - | 226 | 230 | 266 | 209 |
| Ammonium (mg/l) | 0.50 | <0.02 4 | <0.024 | <0.024 | <0.02 4 | <0.024 | <0.024 | <0.02 4 | <0.024 | <0.05 4 |
| Arsenic (µg/l) | 10 | <1 4 | 1 | <1 4 | <1 4 | <1 4 | <14 | <1 4 | <1 4 | <1 4 |
| Cadmium (µg/l)2 | 0.5 | <0.5 4 | <0.5 4 | <0.5 4 | <0.5 4 | <0.10 4 | <0.14 | <0.5 4 | <0.5 4 | <0.024 |
| Calcium (mg/l) | - | 78 | 60 | 72 | 88 | 66 | 90 | 70 | 72 | 55 |
| Chloride (mg/l) | 250 | 30 | 28 | 19 | 66 | 23 | 32 | 32 | 25 | 16 |
| Hydrogen ion concentration (pH) | 6.5 – 9.5 | 7.5 | 7.6 | 7.7 | 7.6 | 7.3 | 7.8 | 7.7 | 7.6 | 7.7 |
| Conductivity (µScm ^-1) | 2,500 | 594 | 447 | 460 | 787 | 482 | 576 | 490 | 587 | 382 |
| Total hardness (°F) | 501 | 27 | 20 | 23 | 29 | 26 | 30 | 25 | 24 | 19 |
| Fluoride (mg/l)2 | 1.50 | <0.1 4 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | <0.05 4 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.1 | <0.1 4 |
| Magnesium (mg/l) | - | 17 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 23 | 18 | 19 | 17 | 12 |
| Manganese (µg/l) | 50 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | <14 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Nitrate (mg/l)2 | 50 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 14 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 7 |
| Nitrite (mg/l)2 | 0.50 | <0.01 4 | <0.014 | <0.014 | <0.01 4 | <0.014 | <0.054 | <0.01 4 | <0.014 | <0.1 4 |
| Lead (µg/l)2 | 10 | <1 4 | <1 4 | <1 4 | <1 4 | <0.4 4 | <14 | <1 4 | <1 4 | <0.4 4 |
| Potassium (mg/l) | - | 2.3 | 2.6 | 2.2 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 2.2 | 3.3 | 2.0 | 0.8 |
| Sodium (mg/l) | 200 | 24 | 19 | 12 | 42 | 5 | 26 | 23 | 17 | 10 |
| Sulphate (mg/l) | 250 | 58 | 38 | 41 | 99 | 18 | 68 | 45 | 54 | 10 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (µg/l)2 | 30 | 2.5 | <0.2 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 2 |
1 For the total hardness parameter, Italian Legislative Decree 31/2001 has a recommended value.
2 Parameters shown in part B of Annex 1 of Italian Legislative Decree 31/2001. The others are shown in part C of Annex 1 and classified by the “indicator parameters” regulation
3 Data for Emilia Romagna was collected by Arpae for USLs, while readings for Padua and Trieste were taken by Padua ULSS and Trieste ASUI respectively. ASUR Marche provided the readings for the area of Pesaro Urbino.
4 Absent or lower than instrument measurability threshold.
5 2019 data.
The results of the analyses by local health authorities are in line with the values measured by Hera's own analysis. This fact has also been confirmed by extensive comparisons between Hera and Arpa-local health authority laboratories in recent years, with cross-checking leading to technical and operational improvements.
Analytical alignment is a critical requisite for local health authorities as they have the task of assessing the suitability of the water that Hera distributes to 3.6 million residents, and safeguarding public health.