Drinking Water Quality Regulations: A Contrast Between Germany and Latin America

Abstract

This article investigates the differences among drinking water quality standards adopted in Latin American countries, Mexico, Cuba, and the European Union, considering the growing challenge of ensuring safe drinking water in a context marked by environmental pressures, climate change, and the occurrence of emerging contaminants. The study aims to compare regulatory limits, identify normative inconsistencies, and assess the extent to which these divergences may compromise public health protection. To achieve this objective, the research employs a comparative documentary analysis, examining legislation, technical parameters, and water quality management instruments currently in force in the regions evaluated. The investigation analyzes microbiological indicators, priority chemical substances, operational parameters, and the presence or absence of risk-based approaches. The results show that the European Union, particularly Germany, adopts more stringent standards and updates its technical references more frequently, whereas several Latin American countries maintain more permissive limits, regulatory gaps regarding emerging toxins, and lower integration of water safety plans. These findings indicate that the observed differences stem not only from technical choices but also reflect structural inequalities related to institutional capacity, availability of financial resources, governance mechanisms, and continuity of public policies. The study concludes that regulatory harmonization across regions requires progressive strategies that strengthen institutions, expand investments in sanitation, promote international cooperation, and systematically incorporate risk assessments, thereby ensuring more protective and effective standards for the quality of drinking water intended for human consumption.