Arsenic occurrence in drinking water supply systems in ten municipalities in Vojvodina Region, Serbia

Vojvodina, a northern region of Serbia, belongs to the Pannonian Basin, whose aquifers contain high concentrations of arsenic. This study represents arsenic levels in drinking water in ten municipalities in Serbia. Around 63% of all water samples exceeded Serbian and European standards for arsenic in drinking water. Large variations in arsenic were observed among supply systems. Arsenic concentrations in public water supply systems in Vojvodina were much higher than in other countries in the Pannonian Basin.

Research highlights
► Quaternary aquifers in a northern region of Serbia contain high concentrations of arsenic.
► In the water-sediment system, arsenic is specially enriched in clay fraction of the soil.
► Arsenic concentration in about two thirds of analyzed water samples exceeded 10 μg/l.
► Large variations in arsenic were observed among investigated public water supply systems.
► These concentrations are much higher than in other countries in the Pannonian Basin.