Nicolae-Leontin Petruța

Access to safe drinking water and the sustainable management of water resources are fundamental priori-ties for global sustainable development policies, as explicitly reflected in Goal 6 of the United Nations 2030 Agenda. In rural communities across Central and Eastern Europe, these objectives face numerous chal-lenges arising from both natural factors and local infrastructural and behavioral limitations. This study provides a detailed investigation of behaviors, perceptions, and practices related to drinking water re-sources in the commune of Ceanu Mare, Romania, based on 741 questionnaires administered in nine rep-resentative villages (September–December 2024), supplemented by hydrogeological and geotechnical analyses of local water sources. The data were processed statistically and geospatially using modern tools and validated methodologies. Perceptions of water quality differ significantly between villages with access to public water supply infrastructure and those without, while the willingness to adopt alternative solu-tions (filters, network expansion) is high. The analysis of socio-demographic correlations highlights the heightened vulnerability of elderly and large households. This study offers an integrated and up-to-date perspective on the management of drinking water resources in rural settings, underscoring the need for proactive, evidence-based local policies that are essential for achieving sustainable development objectives in the region

This study provides a comprehensive chemical assessment of groundwater quality from 37 domestic wells in the rural village of Hodăi-Boian, Ceanu Mare commune, Romania, with emphasis on contamination risks arising from anthropogenic activities. Key water quality parameters—nitrites(NO₂⁻), nitrates(NO₃⁻), ammonium(NH₄⁺), pH, turbidity, and electrical conductivity(EC)—were determined according to standardized analytical protocols and compared against Romanian and European regulatory thresholds. Exceedances of the maximum admissible concentration for NO₂⁻ were detected in seven wells, indicating recent contamination events likely linked to the proximity of animal shelters and latrines. NO₃⁻ and NH₄⁺ concentrations remained below legal limits, although elevated NH₄⁺ levels signal persistent microbiological activity. The findings revealed pronounced mineralization and frequent surpassing of conductivity limits, while pH values below 7.0 in selected wells suggested active organic fermentation processes. Water temperature ranged from 11–13 °C, confirming the shallow aquifer character. Correlative analysis demonstrated strong associations between well proximity to pollution sources, livestock density, and water quality deterioration. The results underscore the necessity of regular water quality monitoring, rigorous enforcement of protective distances, and technical improvements to well construction. Strengthening public health education and upgrading sanitation infrastructure are imperative to mitigate health risks and safeguard the safety of groundwater resources in vulnerable rural environments.

This study provides a comparative analysis of agricultural practices, water resource management, and environmental risks in two rural communes of Transylvania, Romania—Ceanu Mare (Cluj County) and Chețani (Mureș County). Data were collected in June 2025 through structured questionnaires administered to 430 households in Ceanu Mare and 184 households in Chețani, representing over 30% and 20% of the total households, respectively. The research examines the structure of agricultural activity, use of fertilizers and pesticides, irrigation methods, and the local perception of pollution and subsidy programs. Both communes exhibit small-scale, household-based agriculture, but notable differences exist: Ceanu Mare demonstrates higher use of chemical inputs and environmental awareness, while Chețani relies more on organic fertilizers and private wells for irrigation. In addition to survey-based data, the study incorporates direct chemical analysis of household well water, assessing concentrations of nitrate (NO₃⁻), nitrite (NO₂⁻), ammonium (NH₄⁺), and pH levels as indicators of groundwater quality and public health risk. The results reveal that NO₃⁻ remained below the 50 mg/L standard in all wells, while NO₂⁻ approached or slightly exceeded 0.50 mg/L in a few Ceanu Mare villages, underscoring the vulnerability of shallow wells to diffuse agricultural inputs and sanitation deficits. The study also characterizes the main agrochemical compounds used and discusses their potential impacts on water and soil quality, emphasizing nitrate leaching, phosphate runoff, and the persistence of pesticide residues as major risks. These findings underscore the necessity of integrated management strategies, regular monitoring of groundwater quality, and targeted policy interventions to ensure sustainable rural development and environmental protection in similar Central and Eastern European contexts.

This study provides a comprehensive assessment of water infrastructure, consumption management, and educational practices across all public pre-university educational institutions in Cluj County, Romania. The research addresses the increasingly urgent imperative of sustainable water resource management within educational settings, in alignment with both European and global priorities. This analysis is based on a comprehensive data set collected in June 2025 from all 392 public pre-university educational institutions in Cluj County, encompassing both urban and rural areas, all educational levels, and all types of institutions. Data was gathered using a standardized questionnaire, which was validated with the official support of the Cluj County School Inspectorate. The quantitative analysis highlights significant urban–rural disparities: 95.566% of urban institutions are equipped with modern meters and connected to public water networks, compared to only 68.254% in rural areas. Water consumption monitoring relies predominantly on invoice data (69.388%), while the adoption of advanced monitoring technologies remains limited. Reported water losses are minimal (1.531%), and only 0.765% of educational institutions have indicated non-compliance issues related to water quality in the past three years. Educational measures and water-saving awareness campaigns are present in 65.562% of institutions, yet only about one-third (32.908%) have implemented dedicated projects or partnerships. The financial analysis reveals that 90.487% of annual water and sewerage costs are borne by urban institutions. The study highlights both the progress achieved and the persistent challenges, particularly in rural infrastructure and the expansion of educational interventions. The results provide a robust empirical basis for informing regional and national policies, supporting targeted investments, integrated educational programs, and continuous monitoring to ensure sustainable water resource management in the Romanian educational system.

Groundwater contamination by nitrates (NO₃⁻) and nitrites (NO₂⁻) is an urgent problem in rural areas of Eastern Europe, with profound public health and sustainability implications. This paper presents an integrated assessment of groundwater vulnerability and water quality in rural wells in the Ceanu Mare commune, Cluj County, Romania—a representative area of the Northern Transylvania Basin, characterized by diverse geological structures, intensive agricultural activities, and incomplete public water infrastructure. This study combines detailed hydrochemical analyses, household-level studies, and geological context to identify and quantify key factors influencing nitrate and microbial contamination in rural wells, providing a comprehensive perspective on water quality challenges in the central part of Romania. This study adopts a multidisciplinary approach, integrating detailed geotechnical investigations conducted through four strategically located boreholes. These are complemented by extensive hydrogeological and lithological characterization, as well as rigorous chemical and microbiological analyses of nearby wells. The results reveal persistently elevated concentrations of NO₃⁻ and NO₂⁻, commonly associated with inadequate livestock waste management and the proximity of manure storage areas. Microbiological contamination was also frequent. In this study, the NO₃⁻ levels in well water ranged from 39.7 to 48 mg/L, reaching up to 96% of the EU/WHO threshold (50 mg/L), while the NO₂⁻ concentrations varied from 0.50 to 0.69 mg/L, exceeding the legal limit (0.5 mg/L) in 87% of the sampled wells. Ammonium (NH₄⁺) was detected (0.25–0.34 mg/L) in all the wells, below the maximum allowed limit (0.5 mg/L) but indicative of ongoing organic pollution. All the well water samples were non-compliant for microbiological parameters, with E. coli detected in 100% of cases (5–13 CFU/100 mL). The regional clay–marl substrate offers only limited natural protection against pollutant infiltration, primarily due to lithological heterogeneity and discontinuities observed within the clay–marl layers in the study area. This research delivers a replicable model for rural groundwater assessment and addresses a critical gap in regional and European water safety studies. It also provides actionable recommendations for sustainable groundwater management, infrastructure development, and community risk reduction in line with EU water directives.