The study assesses water quality in 50 forest springs across three Czech regions and examines their potential as an alternative source of drinking water.
Summary
Forest springs represent important sources of groundwater. They are important for ecology, hydrology and, in many cases, as drinking water. This study focuses on the assessment of water quality in selected forest springs located in three regions of Czechia, namely South Moravia, Zlín and Vysočina. The assessments were undertaken during the spring and autumn seasons. A total of 50 springs were analysed for basic physicochemical parameters i.e. temperature, yield, pH, specific electrical conductivity, total water hardness and acid neutralizing capacity.
The chemical analysis included anions, cations, and elements, while microbiological analysis covered intestinal enterococci, Escherichia coli and coliform bacteria. The results showed notable differences in water quality between the regions, reflecting local geological conditions, land use and anthropogenic influence. While the majority of samples met the recommended limits for drinking water in terms of chemical composition, microbiological contamination was detected in most locations, thus posing potential health risks.
Citation
Alexa, L., Hlaváčková, H., Cigánková, H. et al. Assessment of Forest Springs as an Alternative Source of Drinking Water: A Case Study of Czechia. Water Air Soil Pollut 237, 1171 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-026-09865-8