Microbiological Research of Mineral and Mountain Spring Waters in Bulgaria

In Bulgaria is observed a great variety of spring waters. They are mineral and mountain spring waters. According to their temperature they can be cold (up to 37 °С), warm (from 37°C to 60 °C) and hot (over 60 °C). This is Bulgarian standard for the qualification of waters according to their temperature.

The mountain spring waters are cold with temperature up to 25 °С.

By their chemical composition they fall into three categories – low mineralized (up to 2 g/L), moderately mineralized (2 to 15 g/L) and highly mineralized (15 – 30 g/L). According to their chemical composition the mineral waters are divided into sulphate, sulfide, hydrogen carbonate, chloride and carbonic. With regards to their gas composition they are nitrogen, sea and carbonic waters.

The waters that correspond to the requirements of Decree No. 14 regarding the resort resources, resort localities and resorts, have balneological parameters.

The main objective of the current review is to show springs, which have been examined by microbiological parameters and are in compliance with Ordinance No. 9 / 2001, Official State Gazette, issue 30, and decree No. 178 / 23.07.2004 regarding the quality of water intended for drinking and household purposes, and Decree № 14 regarding the resort resources, resort localities and resorts.