WHO guidelines for drinking-water quality

Abstract

The preparation of the 1993 edition of the WHO Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality covered a period of four years and involved the participation of over 200 experts from nearly 40 different developing and developed countries. Recommendations concerning the microbiological quality of drinking water are made and evaluation of the health risk of some 128 chemical contaminants carried out. Health-based acceptable levels of exposure (guideline values) have been recommended for bacteriological quality and for 95 chemicals. The Guidelines are of an advisory nature and are intended for use by countries as a basis for the development of their own national standards.