DOI: https://doi.org/10.36719/2707-1146/64/53-57
The Impact of Natural and Anthropogenic Factors on the Microbiological Quality of Groundwater
Fatima Jafarova 
Abstract. Water, considered the «source of life» of humanity, is one of the most important resources. The quality of drinking water is important for human health, environmental protection and economic development. Freshwater is a limited natural resource. With population growth and intensifying anthropogenic impact, the problem of the quality of underground and surface water resources is becoming increasingly acute, since these waters serve as primary sources of drinking and domestic supply.
The quality of groundwater is controlled by a combination of natural processes and human activities. Natural factors include the interaction between water and rocks, soil leaching, precipitation infiltration and hydrological and biological processes that affect pH, mineralization, and overall hydrochemical composition of water. These processes define the natural background conditions of groundwater quality and vary depending on geological settings and climatic conditions.
At the same time, anthropogenic impacts significantly alter groundwater quality. Agricultural practices involving the application of fertilizer and pesticides supplement, urban expansion, industrial activities and the discharge of untreated or insufficiently treated domestic wastewater contribute to increased concentrations of nutrients, heavy metals and pathogenic microorganisms. Inefficient water management practices further exacerbate these impacts, leading to degradation of groundwater resources and increasing risks to human health and ecosystem stability.
Keywords: groundwater, natural factors, anthropogenic impact, surface water, sustainable water management