This paper is of great ecological, social and economic interest. Water is a vital and vulnerablenatural resource for life and society. Nevertheless, it is one of the worst managed resources, being usedimproperly, wasted and returned to nature in bad condition. As many negative events with pathogenic ortoxic risk may occur, water supply monitoring in a human community through sample collection andanalysis has become a necessary permanent measure. While completing a cycle that starts from its sourceand ends with its final use (in households, farms or industries), water can accumulate and carry humanactivity residues that alter its basic qualities. Monitoring groundwater quality in South-Western BanatPlain was based on two drillings, one in Gătaia and one in Belinţ. Water samples were collected in Mayand June 2009 and 2011. The main quality indicators were dissolved oxygen concentration, chemicaloxygen consumption, nitrate and nitrite concentration, calcium, magnesium, iron, lead and manganeseconcentration. The analyses were performed at the Laboratory of Basin Water Administration, the BanatBranch. The low concentrations of oxygen dissolved in water indicate that water in both drillings belongsto the third class. As far as the chemical oxygen consumption at the Gătaia drilling is concerned, waterbelongs to the first class, while at Belinţ the water is second class. The nitrate concentration is muchabove the limit, reaching values that correspond to the fifth class. The nitrite concentration in bothdrillings places the water in the fourth class. The calcium level is higher at Gătaia, where water is veryhard. The magnesium level indicates that only the water at the Belinţ drilling belongs to the second class,while the iron concentration places both drillings in the second class. The lead level is above limit only atGătaia, and the manganese level places water in the third class. These results reveal that in bothdrillings, water quality is low and not suitable for supply, especially because of the nitrate and nitriteconcentrations. The very hard water at the Gătaia drilling requires special attention when used forirrigation purposes.

groundwater quality, water supply, irrigation

Presentation: oral