Guidelines for drinking water quality
The primary goal of the Drinking Water Quality Guidelines is to protect public health. The Guidelines contain the World Health Organisation's (WHO) recommendations for managing the risk of hazards that may jeopardise drinking water safety. The recommendations should be taken into account in risk management for other sources of exposure to these hazards, such as waste, air, food, and consumer products.
Water is necessary for life to exist, and a sufficient (adequate, safe, and accessible) supply must be available to all. Improving access to safe drinking water can have a direct impact on health. Therefore, every effort should be made to ensure that drinking water is as safe as possible.
The Guidelines define safe drinking water as not posing any significant risk to health over a lifetime of consumption, including different sensitivities between life stages. Infants and young children, the elderly, and the disabled are the most vulnerable to waterborne disease, especially when living in unsanitary conditions. Those generally at risk of waterborne illness may need to take additional precautions, such as boiling their drinking water, to protect themselves from waterborne pathogens. In addition, all normal domestic purposes, such as drinking, food preparation, and personal hygiene, necessitate the use of safe drinking water.
The Guidelines are intended to aid in developing and implementing risk management strategies that will ensure the safety of drinking-water supplies by controlling hazardous water constituents. Visit the WHO website to get a detailed preview of the guideline.
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