Vízügyi Közlemények, 1983 (65. évfolyam)
2. füzet - Kisebb tanulmányok, közlemények, beszámolók
A budapesti Duna-szakasz mikrobiológiai állapota 269 extent of pollution. The Danube is classified accordingly as Class III, polluted surface water upstream of Budapest already. Under the influence of the sewage discharged at the rate of 1.3 million m 3/d along the capital, the quality is deteriorated further to Class IV. The microbiological spectrum of 1 cm 3 of Danube water and the quantitative conditions pertaining to the various parameters have been studied in terms of the mean- and maximum values (Table I). The results have been interpreted from the aspects of public-health, technology and ecology. The direct and indirect epidemiological hazards presented by the microbiologically polluted and highly polluted water of the Danube reach across the capital have been estimated for eight different water uses (Table III). In order to estimate the hazard potential, the infectious doses of particular pathogens and their counts detected in surface waters have been compared on the basis of data published in the professional literature (Table II). It is concluded therefrom that under the worst conditions, even 1 ml of Danube water may contain in the vicinity of the capital pathogens in numbers attaining the infectitious dose level. The hazard is considered to be greatest when Danube water is used as a source of domestic supply, since the microbiological pollution of the Danube could be demonstrated positively in the water distribution network as well. Population exposure is also the most severe in the case of domestic water supply, since over 95 percent of the municipal water supply is obtained from the Danube. Owing to direct body contact navigation and water sports are also regarded critical. Thanks to the ample streamflow the aesthetical- and ecological condition of the Danube reach along the capital is not jeopardized for the time being, but any further sewage discharge may become detrimental to the assimilating capacity of the river.
