Report on regulations and standards for drinking water quality around the world

Report on regulations and standards for drinkingwater quality
Compiled by
David Drury
United Kingdom
Draft 12
November 2013
The nature of the information on which this report is based is subject

to change because countries and territories modify and update their
regulations and standards for drinking water quality. Comments on
format and content, details of changes and errors and information on
countries and territories not yet included are very welcome. Please
send them to the attention of Ms Batsirai Majuru on the following
email: regnet@who.int
Contents
Overview ...................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Inorganic parameters..................................................................................................... 5
Organic parameters ....................................................................................................... 5
Aesthetic parameters ..................................................................................................... 6
Radiological parameters ................................................................................................ 7
Microbiological parameters ........................................................................................... 8
Additional parameters ................................................................................................... 9
Conclusions .................................................................................................................. 9
Appendix 1
Inorganic parameters .......................................................................... 11
Appendix 2
Organic parameters ............................................................................ 24
Appendix 3
Aesthetic parameters .......................................................................... 60
Appendix 4
Radiological parameters ..................................................................... 67
Appendix 5
Microbiological parameters ................................................................ 69
Appendix 6
Other parameters ................................................................................ 73
Appendix 7
Source documentation ........................................................................ 78
Overview
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality are an
international reference point for the establishment of national regulations and standards
for water safety. The Guidelines support the development and implementation of risk
management strategies and include guidance levels (GL)1 and guideline values
(GV) for constituents in drinking-water or indicators of water quality. Recognizing the
benefits of a risk management approach, the Guidelines are not promoted as mandatory
international standards, but as guidance that can be adapted to the specific
circumstances, needs and resources of countries.
The Regulatory Scan is the first WHO report documenting the influence of the
Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality on national water quality standards for chemical,
aesthetic, radiological, and microbiological parameters. Various country regulations
and policy frameworks were reviewed to determine the extent to which the Guidelines
are used and reflected in national standards. The report is intended for regulators and
other key stakeholders in drinking-water quality, enabling them to access and compare
data on national drinking water quality standards.
The report has been prepared using information received from 100 countries and
territories, including the 28 Member States of the European Union; documenting the
values specified for drinking-water parameters. It does not include information on
whether a risk-based approach was used for standard setting; how many samples are
taken for each parameter; or whether drinking-water quality in each country and
territory meets the values specified.
Data sources and methods

The report draws on legislation, standards, codes or guidelines relating to the quality of
drinking water from the countries and territories. In addition to the WHO regional and
country contacts, the standards and guidelines used as source material for the database
were obtained through internet literature searches or were purchased from the relevant
standards organisations. The drinking-water quality standards specified by countries
and territories for inorganic chemical, organic chemical, aesthetic, radiological and
1
the term guidance levels is used for radiological parameters, while guideline values is being used
for all other parameters. In this document, GV has been used for generic purposes.
microbiological parameters were compared to the GL (for radiological parameters) and

GV (for all other parameters) of the fourth edition of the Guidelines for Drinking-water
Quality2.
The countries and territories included in the survey are Albania, Argentina, Australia,
Bangladesh, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Taiwan
Province of China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt,
El Salvador, Ethiopia, the European Union (28 Member States), Fiji, Ghana, Guatemala,
Honduras, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Lao Peoples
Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, New
Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, the Occupied Palestinian
territory, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Republic of Korea Russian
Federation, Rwanda, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the
Sudan, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic, , Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine,
United Republic of Tanzania, United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela
(Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Zambia. The Member States of the European
Union are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark,
Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia,
Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
These countries and territories have a total population of about 6.1 billion people,
representing approximately 86 % of the world population3. Some information on
standards is also available for Bahrain, Belarus, Namibia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and
the United Arab Emirates, but these have not been verified as in current use and have
not been included. In addition, it is understood that the following countries and
territories use the standards specified in the WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water
Quality without currently publishing separate documentation listing regulatory
parameters and values: Kiribati, Kuwait, Mali, Nauru, Senegal, Solomon Islands, Tonga
and Tuvalu.
Guidelines for Drinking-water quality. Fourth edition. Geneva: World Health Organisation; 2011.
Regulations currently under review

Based on mid-year population estimates for 2013: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social
Affairs, Population Division (2013). World Population Prospects: The 2012 Revision. Wallchart
Documentation and the report

Countries and territories specify their parameter values for drinking-water quality in a
variety of formats; regulations, standards, specifications, laws, decrees, requirements
and norms. For the purposes of this report these are all referred to as value
documentation.
According to the documentation received, the oldest specifications of values for
drinking-water in current use date back to 1978 (Thailand) and 1983 (Sri Lanka).
Fifteen countries and territories values, (42 including the members of the European
Union (EU) through the European Drinking Water Directive) date to the 1990s.
However, many EU Member States have implemented the Directive through more
recent documentation but these have not been included in the survey because they differ
little in requirements from the original Directive. The other 57 countries and territories
have produced documentation in the year 2000 and after, including eleven in 2010 and
2011. As countries and territories often review their legislation and values, these
findings are constantly subject to change.
Thirty-six countries and territories directly reference the WHO Guidelines in their
regulations / standards / guideline documentation, although this number is likely to be
higher because the full documentation was not available in all cases. Botswana and
Pakistan list the WHO GV alongside their values.
Although the WHO Guidelines encourages countries and territories to set their own
water-quality standards by deriving health-based targets, none of the documentation
received includes a full explanation on how countries and territories derived their values
where they differ from the WHO GV. Only Malaysia specifically references the
derivation of values for each parameter, others more generally reference WHO and
other countries and territories values such as those of the European Union, the United
States of America, Nigeria and South Africa. Some countries and territories value
documentation also reference the analytical method required. In some cases the names
of the members of expert committees who drew up the values are listed.
Some countries and territories include in their value documents details of the likely
origin of parameters and their associated risk. This may help the understanding of those
who have to control and analyse drinking-water quality. Examples are Australia, the
Dominican Republic, Fiji, India, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, South
Africa, Uruguay and the USA. Other countries and territories may provide similar
information in separate documentation or consider the information included in the
WHO Guidelines sufficient.
In addition to setting values for specific parameters, many countries and territories
documentation includes a general statement along the lines of: water intended for
human consumption should: not contain concentrations of compounds which could,
either alone or in combination with other compounds, be harmful to human health; and
not contain any micro-organisms and parasites in such a number that could be harmful
to human health. This suggests an additional link to monitoring based on risk
assessment but from the documentation provided such a link was not explicitly stated in
most cases.
There is little consensus amongst countries and territories as to whether values should
be specified in milligrams per litre (mg/l) or micrograms per litre (g/l) and some mix
these in their list of values. The fourth edition of the WHO Guidelines lists values in
both denominations which should help to clarify matters and reduce a cause of some
misunderstanding. For the purposes of this report, all values have been converted to
milligrams per litre (mg/l).
The values used in this report are the highest listed by countries and territories in their
value documentation for normal (non-emergency or severe weather-affected) water
supplies. Not all the values countries and territories have listed are mandatory, some
are advisory, for guidance or occasionally described as operational. This applies
particularly to the aesthetic and other parameters. It should be remembered that the
WHO Guidelines suggest values with a wide margin of safety and that countries and
territories are expected to adapt their drinking-water quality standards to local
conditions and circumstances. In this document, a small number of countries and
territories are identified which have specified their own values for the parameter in
question. This is for illustrative purposes only and it should not be interpreted as
representing endorsement or criticism of any particular specified value or course of
action.
For clarity and convenience this report has adopted the terms higher or above for
values greater than those specified in the WHO Guidelines and lower or below for
values less than those specified in the WHO Guidelines. These terms are for used
illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as having any other intended
meaning. A list of source documentation used in this survey is given in Appendix 7.
Inorganic parameters
The 4th edition of the WHO Guidelines for drinking-water quality includes health based
values for 90 parameters. Only China, Indonesia, New Zealand, Oman Peru, Singapore
and Uganda specified values for all the parameters with health-based WHO values GV.
All these countries and territories had set their values since 2005. All countries and
territories had specified values for copper, lead, manganese and nitrate. The least
specified parameters were chlorate, chlorite, molybdenum and uranium. All the median
values equalled or were below the GV except for cadmium (GV 0.003 mg/l, median
0.005 mg/l). Cyanide and manganese have still been included in the survey because of
the number of countries and territories specifying values for these parameters although
they no longer have health-based values in the WHO Guidelines. Further details on
inorganic parameters are given in Appendix 1.
Organic parameters
The 4th edition of the WHO Guidelines for drinking-water quality includes Guideline
Values for health for 73 parameters. This survey also includes cyanogen chloride,
dichloroethene,1,1-, permethrin and pyriproxyfen since GVs were included in the third
edition and are still specified by a number of countries and territories. No country or
territory specified values for all the organic parameters and no country or territory
specified a value for cyanuric acid and sodium dichloroisocyanurate or hydroxyatrazine.
Only Australia specified a value for N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). Differences in
the number of parameters specified by countries and territories are to be expected
according to the relevance of the parameters to the countries and territories concerned.
Singapore specified values for the most organic parameters (71) followed by New
Zealand and Oman (70), Peru (69), Uganda (62), El Salvador (60), Nicaragua (59),
Honduras (57), Costa Rica, Dominican Republic and Indonesia (57) and the Sudan 54.
According to the documentation assessed the following countries and territories did not
specify values for any organic parameters: India; the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic;
Mozambique; Nepal; Pakistan; Sri Lanka; the United Republic of Tanzania; and
Thailand. Iraq, Panama, Tunisia and Viet Nam specified only one parameter.
For the organic parameters that had specifications all but four had median values equal
to or below the GV. The exceptions were: cyanazine (GV 0.0006 mg/l, median 0.0007
mg/l (but only specified by five countries and territories)); dibromoacetonitrile (GV
0.07 mg/l, median 0.0775 (but only specified by 16 countries and territories));
dichloroacetonitrile (GV 0.02 mg/l, median 0.06 mg/l (but only specified by 17
countries and territories)); and vinyl chloride (GV 0.0003 mg/l, median 0.0005 mg/l
(specified by 60 countries and territories)).
It should be noted that the European Union, Iceland, Morocco, Norway, Turkey and
Ukraine do not specify values for individual pesticides other than aldrin and dieldrin,
heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide. Instead, they have a blanket statement that the value
for all individual pesticides is 0.1g/l (0.0001 mg/l) and for total pesticides 0.5 g/l
(0.0005 mg/l) (where total pesticides is defined as the sum of all individual pesticides
detected and quantified in the monitoring procedure). Bolivia, Botswana, India, Iraq,
Japan, Lebanon, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, and Viet Nam have similar
blanket statements about individual pesticides and some other organic parameters.
Where a country does not specify a value for an individual parameter in its value
documentation, it is not included in the tables below. However the statement is shown
in the notes section of the accompanying spread-sheet. Further details on organic
parameters are given in Appendix 2.
Aesthetic parameters
The WHO Guidelines identify 32 aesthetic parameters. Some other parameters have
recommended values, mainly based on consumer acceptance. All the countries and
territories in the survey specified values for some of the chemical and physical
parameters but none specified values for actinomycetes and fungi, animalicules,
cyanobacteria or algae and iron bacteria. Egypt, the Occupied Palestinian territory and
Peru included general statements that potable water should be free of algae. Most of the
values that were set were guidance or indicator levels rather than mandatory standards.
As with the WHO Guidelines, many countries and territories included copper and
manganese in their list of aesthetic parameters.
The aesthetic parameters most often specified with values were pH (hydrogen ion)
(specified by 99 countries and territories), chloride and iron (96), sulphate (92) and
aluminium (91). The least specified parameters were temperature (11) and dissolved
oxygen (4).
In addition, 78 countries and territories including the EU had descriptive requirements
for both taste and odour parameters, for example acceptable to most consumers, not
offensive, not objectionable, acceptable to consumers and no abnormal change.
Fifteen countries and territories had numerical values for the odour parameter and nine
for the taste parameter. More details on aesthetic parameters are given in Appendix 3.
Radiological parameters
In general, countries and territories that specified values for radiological parameters did
not deviate significantly from the WHO Guidelines and advice. The WHO guidelines
suggest screening levels for gross alpha and gross beta activity as the process of
identifying individual radionuclides is too cost-intensive for routine monitoring given
their generally low concentration. If the screening levels for gross alpha and gross beta
activity suggested by WHO are not being exceeded, the individual dose criterion (i.e.
total dose) of 0.1 milli Sieverts per year (mSv/year) as recommended by the
International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) will not be exceeded
either. The idea of screening levels is that radioactivity should be assessed against these
during routine monitoring. If the screening levels are being exceeded after having taken
further samples to validate the findings, the contribution of K-40 (beta) should be
subtracted from the gross activity following a separate determination of total potassium.
If the screening values are still being exceeded, an analytical strategy for individual
radionuclides should be determined.
Forty five countries and territories specified screening values for gross alpha and gross
beta activity, two in terms of a ratio or annual dose. Some expressed their values in
terms of Pica Curie per litre (pCi/l); these have been converted to their equivalents as
Becquerel per litre (Bq/l) for this report. Thirty three countries and territories specified a
value for total dose in terms of mSv/yr. Only three of these also specified values for
gross alpha and beta activity.
The other radiological parameters for which countries and territories specified values
were: tritium (six countries and territories); radon (four); radium-226 (three); strontium90 (three); caesium-137 (one); iodine-131 (one); lead-210 (one); and radionuclides
(one). The WHO guidelines list guidance levels for 17 radionuclides.
Where countries and territories specified values for gross alpha and beta activity and
total dose, most included advice on the steps that should be taken if any of these values
were exceeded. Further details on radiological parameters are given in Appendix 4.
Microbiological parameters
Countries and territories in the survey designated numerical standards for 24
microbiological parameters. However, nine of these parameters were designated by
only one country and a further nine by less than ten countries and territories.
Values for Escherichia coli (or faecal coliforms or thermotolerant coliforms) were
specified by 98 countries and territories (including the EU), then came Total coliforms
(94 countries and territories including the EU), enterococci (faecal streptococci) (45
countries and territories including the EU), sulphite-reducing Clostridia (Clostridium
perfringens) (43 countries and territories including the EU), total heterotrophic bacteria
at 22C(17 countries and territories) and total heterotrophic bacteria at 37C (13
countries and territories). The other parameters were: Enteric viruses and Pseudomonas
aeruginosa (eight countries and territories); Cryptosporidium and Giardia (five
countries and territories); Salmonella, Somatic coliphages and Staphlococcus aureus
(four countries and territories); Pathogenic protozoa and Shigella (three countries and
territories); and Amoeba, Cholera vibrio, Free living organisms, Helminths, Legionella,
Nematodes, Parasites and Plankton (one country).
The normal value for microbiological parameters, other than heterotrophic bacteria, was
zero or absent per volume (usually 100 ml for bacterial parameters and 10 litres for
protozoa) although many countries and territories values accepted that coliform
bacteria would be detected in samples on occasions.
In addition to setting values for some microbiological parameters, many countries and
territories documentation included a statement the same as or similar to that in the
European Drinking Water Directive that drinking-water shall be free from any microorganisms and parasites which, in numbers or concentrations, constitute a potential
danger to human health.
Further details on microbiological parameters are given in Appendix 5.
Additional parameters
In the documentation used for this survey countries and territories specified 1,291
numerical values for 295 inorganic, organic, aesthetic and physical parameters that do
not have a WHO GV.
The additional parameters most often specified were: Conductivity (51 countries and
territories including the EU); Total polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) (42
including the EU);
Oxidizability (permanganate value) (41 including the EU); Heptachlor and heptachlor
epoxide (36); Phenols (33 countries and territories); Detergent (anionic surfactants) (30);
Magnesium (28); Calcium (27); Silver (22); Hexachlorobenzene (21); Formaldehyde
(18); Odour (15); 1,1,1-trichlorethane (14); Monochlorobenzene (13); Bentazone (11);
Chloral hydrate (trichloroacetaldehyde) (11); Glyphosate (11); Phosphorus / Phosphate
(11); Potassium (11); Propanil (11); and Total trichlorobenzenes (10).
Australia specified by far the largest number of other parameters with 141. Other
countries and territories were as follows: New Zealand (53 parameters); the Russian
Federation (51); El Salvador (33); USA (31); Guatemala (30); Canada (27); Dominican
Republic (27); China (25); Albania (24); Honduras (20); Nicaragua (20); Costa Rica
(18); Uruguay (18); Ukraine (18); Malaysia (18); Ghana (16); Lebanon (16); Taiwan,
Province of China (16); Japan (15); Bangladesh (13); Israel (13); Brazil (11); Cambodia
(11); Colombia (11); Paraguay (11); Rwanda (11); Republic of Korea (11); Zambia (11);
Ethiopia (10); the United Republic of Tanzania (10); all other countries and territories
including the EU (<10) except Ecuador, Singapore and Suriname which did not specify
any additional parameters. Further details on additional parameters are given in
Appendix 6.
Conclusions
The WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality emphasize the importance of setting
risk-based standards and adopting the specifications in the guidelines to local resources
and needs. The Guidelines do not only provide guidance on standard-setting, but also on
a holistic water safety framework, including preventive risk management approaches
(e.g. Water Safety Plans), surveillance systems and health-based targets.
For the purpose of this report, only the standards that countries and territories are
specifying for different water quality parameters were reviewed. In that context, it was
found that the WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality play an overall significant
role in countries and territories setting of values that define drinking-water quality.
More than half the countries and territories in the survey reference the WHO Guidelines
directly (e.g. Iceland) or indirectly (e.g. Norway) by referencing other countries and
territories which referenced WHO. This figure is actually likely to be higher as the full
value documentation was not always available. Another limitation of this report is that
direct comparison between countries and territories is difficult because standards in
different countries and territories can be mandatory, recommended and/or risk-based. It
must also be kept in mind that countries and territories review their specification for
drinking-water quality with a different rhythm than updates to the Guidelines are
published. However, the value of the Guidelines and their role in providing orientation
to countries and territories is underlined by the number of countries and territories
making reference to the Guidelines in their specifications.
10
Appendix 1
Inorganic parameters
For several chemical parameters, the WHO guidelines only suggest provisional
guidelines values which may be provisional for the following reasons:
A: provisional guideline value because calculated guideline value is below the

achievable quantification level;
P: provisional guideline value because of uncertainties in the health database;
T: provisional guideline value because calculated guideline value is below the
level that can be achieved through practical treatment methods, source
protection, etc.
D: provisional guideline value because disinfection is likely to result in the
guideline value being exceeded
Antimony
WHO Guideline value
0.02 mg/l
Number of countries and territories setting a regulatory / guideline

value
71 (including the EU)

value greater than WHO Guideline

value less than WHO Guideline
Maximum value set
0.05 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.003 mg/l
Median value
0.005 mg/l
The majority of countries and territories (35/45) set a value below the GV as can be
seen from the median value. Twenty-five countries and territories, including the EU,
set 0.005 mg/l. Nicaragua had set a value of 0.05 mg/l in its 1994 standards. Australia
specified the lowest value.
11
Arsenic
WHO Guideline value
0.01 mg/l (provisional

A, T)

value

24

Maximum value set
<0.05 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.007 mg/l
Median value
0.01 mg/l
Arsenic is one of the parameters with a value set by most countries and territories. Only
the Sudan set a value (0.007 mg/l) below the provisional GV. Paraguay specified the
highest value. Pakistan quoted a provisional value of 0.01 <0.05 mg/l.
Barium
WHO Guideline value
0.7 mg/l

value
49

11

Maximum value set
2.0 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.1 mg/l
Median value
0.7 mg/l
The majority (33 countries and territories) of those countries and territories setting a
value for barium specified the GV. The highest value was set by Australia and the USA.
Pakistan had a provisional value of 0.7 2.0 mg/l. Albania and the Syrian Arab
Republic set the lowest value.
12
Boron
WHO Guideline value
2.4 mg/l

value


Maximum value set
5 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.2 mg/l
Median value
1 mg/l
No country set the revised GV, most countries and territories had based their value on
the previous provisional GV of 0.5 mg/l. Australia (5 mg/l) and Canada (4 mg/l)
specified the highest values. The Sudan set the lowest value.
Bromate
WHO Guideline value

A,T)

value


Maximum value set
0.025 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.005 mg/l
Median value
0.01 mg/l
Most countries and territories specified a value for bromate at or close to the provisional
GV. Only Norway set a value below the GV. Brazil, Costa Rica, the Dominican
Republic, Egypt, Honduras, Malaysia and Nicaragua set the highest value.
13
Cadmium
WHO Guideline value
0.003 mg/l

value


Maximum value set
0.05 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.001 mg/l
Median value
0.005 mg/l
Cadmium is the inorganic parameter for which the most countries and territories have
specified a higher value than the GV as demonstrated by the median value. Only three
countries and territories, Australia (0.002 mg/l), the Russian Federation and Ukraine
(0.001 mg/l) specified a value below the WHO level.
Chlorate
WHO Guideline value
0.7 mg/l (provisional D)

value
13


Maximum value set
1.0 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.2 mg/l
Median value
0.7 mg/l
Only 13 countries and territories had set a value for chlorate. Canada (1.0 mg/l) and
New Zealand (0.8 mg/l) have a value above the GV, Japan (0.6 mg/l) and the
Dominican Republic (0.2 mg/l) are the only countries and territories specifying a lower
value.
14
Chlorine
WHO Guideline value
5.0 mg/l

value
54


25
Maximum value set
5.0 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.2 mg/l
Median value
1.5 mg/l
Chlorine is the inorganic parameter with the biggest range between minimum and
maximum. No country had set a value above the GV. Twenty-three countries and
territories specified a level below 1 mg/l. Eleven countries and territories specified the
GV. Some countries and territories set a range, specifying minimum and maximum
levels. It was not always clear if the set value referred to free or total chlorine. Indeed,
it is still not clear in the fourth edition of the WHO Guidelines as to what the GV refers4.
Chlorite
WHO Guideline value
0.7 mg/l (provisional D)

value
26


10
Maximum value set
1.0 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.15mg/l
Median value
0.7 mg/l
The six countries and territories with a set value above the provisional GV were Canada,
Taiwan Province of China and the USA (1.0 mg/l), Australia, Jordan and New Zealand
(0.8 mg/l). The Sudan specified the lowest value.
Changes to this paragraph will be made at a later stage to accommodate residual disinfection
levels
15
Chromium (total)
WHO Guideline value

P)

value


Maximum value set
0.5 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.04 mg/l
Median value
0.05 mg/l
WHO has specified a provisional GV for total chromium. The guideline value is
designated as provisional because of uncertainties in the toxicological database. Most
countries and territories set a value for total chromium and the great majority set the
provisional GV. USA (0.1 mg/l), the Russian Federation and Viet Nam (0.5 mg/l) set
values above the WHO guideline. The Sudan specified the lowest value.
Copper
WHO Guideline value
2.0 mg/l

value


50
Maximum value set
3.0 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.1 mg/l
Median value
2.0 mg/l
Copper is one of only four inorganic parameters with a value set by all the countries and
territories in the survey. Only the United Republic of Tanzania specified a value above
the GV. Kenya set the lowest value, 0.1 mg/l.
16
Cyanide
NB The fourth edition of the Guidelines does not specify a value for cyanide because it
occurs in drinking-water at concentrations well below those of health concern (except
in emergency situations after spills). However it has been included here because it was
in the third edition and many countries and territories still set a value for this
parameter.
WHO Guideline value
No value established in
fourth edition,
previously 0.07 mg/l

value

10

Maximum value set
0.6 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.01 mg/l
Median value
0.05 mg/l
Only Costa Rica and Sierra Leone did not set a value for this parameter. New Zealand
set a value of 0.6 mg/l but only for short-term exposure. Botswana, Canada, Thailand,
the United Republic of Tanzania and the USA set 0.2 mg/l. Argentina and Paraguay set
0.1 mg/l, Australia and Samoa 0.08 mg/l. Albania, Japan, Kenya, Nigeria, Norway,
Panama, Rwanda, Republic of Korea and Zambia set the lowest value.
Fluoride
WHO Guideline value
1.5 mg/l

value


15
Maximum value set
4.0 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.6 mg/l
Median value
1.5 mg/l
All but two countries and territories (Columbia and the Sudan) specified a value for this
parameter and two-thirds set the GV. Many specified a lower value for higher water
17
temperatures. The United Republic of Tanzania and the USA set the highest value (4
mg/l), Jordan set 2 mg/l, Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Israel and
Tunisia set 1.7 mg/l. In some cases where a low value was set a higher value was
allowed under certain circumstances.
Lead
WHO Guideline value
0.01 mg/l

value

21

Maximum value set
0.1 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.005 mg/l
Median value
0.01 mg/l
Lead is one of only four inorganic parameters with a value specified by all countries and
territories in this survey. The majority set the GV, some countries and territories
allowed time for the 0.01 mg/l standard to apply. Of the countries and territories that
set a value above the WHO Guideline, most specified 0.05 mg/l. Botswana and the
United Republic of Tanzania set 0.1 mg/l, Uruguay set 0.03 mg/l and the USA 0.015
mg/l. Only El Salvador set a value below the GV.
Manganese
NB The fourth edition of the Guidelines does not specify a value for manganese as it is
not of health concern at levels found in drinking-water. However it has been included
here because it was in the third edition and a number of countries and territories still
specify a value for this parameter.
18
WHO Guideline value
the fourth edition,
previously 0.4 mg/l

value

21

Maximum value set
0.5 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.05 mg/l
Median value
0.07 mg/l
Manganese is one of only four inorganic parameters with a value set by all countries
and territories in the survey. Two-thirds of countries and territories had set a value
below the previous GV. Albania, Canada, El Salvador, the European Union, Iceland,
Japan, Norway, Turkey, Ukraine and the USA set the lowest level. Twenty-one
countries and territories set their value at 0.5 mg/l. Some countries and territories listed
the parameter as aesthetic, some as inorganic, some as both.
Mercury
WHO Guideline value
0.006 mg/l

value


Maximum value set
0.007 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.0005 mg/l
Median value
0.001 mg/l
Only Botswana, Sierra Leone, Suriname and Tunisia did not set a value for this
parameter. Most countries and territories, including the European Union, set 0.001 mg/l.
Only Ecuador, Singapore and South Africa specified the GV. Japan, Norway, the
Russian Federation and Ukraine set the lowest value.
19
Molybdenum
WHO Guideline value
0.07 mg/l

value
22


Maximum value set
0.25 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.05 mg/l
Median value
0.07 mg/l
Only 22 countries and territories set a value for this parameter. The highest value was
set by the Russian Federation (0.25 mg/l), Australia and the Sudan set 0.05 mg/l and the
others set the GV.
Nickel
WHO Guideline value
0.07 mg/l

value


Maximum value set
0.1 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.01 mg/l
Median value
0.02 mg/l
Most countries and territories, including the European Union, specified a value below
the GV, most set 0.02 mg/l. Ecuador, Indonesia, Jordan, South Africa and Singapore
set the Guideline value. Bangladesh and Taiwan Province of China set 0.1 mg/l, New
Zealand set 0.08 mg/l. Japan set the lowest value.
20
Nitrate
WHO Guideline value
50 mg/l (as NO3-)

value


Maximum value set
100 mg/l (as NO3-)
Minimum value set
45 mg/l (as NO3-)
Median value
50 mg/l (as NO3-)
Nitrate is one of only four inorganic parameters with a value set by all countries and
territories in the survey. Many quoted their value as 10 mg/l (as N) which has been
converted to 45 mg/l (as NO3-) for the purposes of this report but counted as being at the
GV. India quoted a figure of 100 mg/l but stated that 45 mg/l was desirable,; Israel
quoted a value of 70 mg/l (as NO3-) but recommended 50 mg/l (as NO3-). Several
countries and territories including the European Union included a formula that reduces
the nitrate value as the nitrite level increases.
Nitrite
WHO Guideline value
3 mg/l (as NO2-)

value


Maximum value set
3.3 mg/l (as NO2-)
Minimum value set
0 mg/l (as NO2-)
Median value
0.5 mg/l (as NO2-)
Many countries and territories values for nitrite have been based on older WHO
guidance. The Russian Federation (3.3 mg/l) and Canada (3.2 mg/l) were the only
countries and territories with values above the revised GV. India, Israel, Kenya,
Malaysia, Nepal, the Occupied Palestinian territory, Thailand and Tunisia set a value for
nitrate but not for nitrite it did not appear that nitrite was included in their nitrate value.
No country set a value for nitrite but not nitrate. Lebanon specified zero categorizing the
21
parameter as undesirable. Otherwise Rwanda specified the lowest level of 0.003 mg/l
with Colombia and Sri Lanka specifying 0.01 mg/l. 36 countries and territories
specified the revised GV (or its equivalent as mg N/l). Several countries and territories
including the European Union included a formula that reduces the nitrate value as the
nitrite level increases.
Selenium
WHO Guideline value
0.04 mg/l (provisional)

value


90
Maximum value set
0.05 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.007 mg/l
Median value
0.01 mg/l
No country specified the new provisional GV, almost all specified the previous figure of
0.01 mg/l. Jordan, the United Republic of Tanzania and the USA specified 0.05 mg/l.
The Sudan set the lowest value (0.007 mg/l). Botswana, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Sierra
Leone, Suriname and Viet Nam did not set a value for this parameter.
Uranium
WHO Guideline value

P)

value
13


13
Maximum value set
0.1 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.002 mg/l
Median value
0.015 mg/l
WHO has specified a provisional GV for uranium The guideline value is designated as
provisional because of uncertainties in the toxicological database Only 13 countries and
territories had so far specified a standard for uranium and these were mainly based on
22
the previous GV, no country specifying the latest. Japan and Malaysia set the lowest
level; Indonesia, Oman, Peru, Singapore, South Africa and Uganda set 0.015 mg/l;
Canada, Australia and New Zealand specified 0.02 mg/l; the USA specified 0.03 mg/l
and the Russian Federation 0.1 mg/l.
23
Appendix 2
Organic parameters
Acrylamide
WHO Guideline value
0.0005 mg/l

value


Maximum value set
0.0005 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.0001 mg/l
Median value
0.0001 mg/l
No country set a value greater than the GV. 32 countries and territories (including the
EU) set 0.0001 mg/l.
Alachlor
WHO Guideline value
0.02 mg/l

value
23


Maximum value set
0.15 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.002 mg/l
Median value
0.02 mg/l
The Sudan set the highest value, El Salvador, Guatemala and the USA set the lowest.
All the other 19 countries and territories set the GV.
24
Aldicarb
WHO Guideline value
0.01 mg/l

value
21


Maximum value set
0.01 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.003 mg/l
Median value
0.01 mg/l
Only five out of 21 countries and territories set values that differed from the GV Australia (0.004 mg/l), Canada (0.009 mg/l), El Salvador and Guatemala (0.003 mg/l)
and The Sudan (0.0075 mg/l).
Aldrin and Dieldrin

WHO Guideline value
0.00003 mg/l

value


Maximum value set
0.001 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.00001 mg/l (0)
Median value
0.00003 mg/l
Columbia set the highest value in its 1994 standards. Cambodia (0.0003 mg/l), Canada
(0.0007 mg/l), and New Zealand (0.00004 mg/l) also set values above the GV. The
Sudans (0.00002 mg/l) and Zambias (0.00001 mg/l) values were the two lowest.
Bangladesh specified zero for this parameter.
25
Atrazine and its chloro-s-triazine metabolites

WHO Guideline value
0.1 mg/l

value
27


26
Maximum value set
0.5 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.0015 mg/l
Median value
0.002 mg/l
There was wide deviation from the GV in the values set for this parameter. Only the
Russian Federation (0.5 mg/l) set a value above the Guideline, all the other countries
and territories were well below, setting 0.002 mg/l except Australia (0.02 mg/l), Canada
(0.005 mg/l), the Sudan (0.0015 mg/l) and the USA and the Bolivarian Republic of
Venezuela (0.003 mg/l).
Benzene
WHO Guideline value
0.01 mg/l

value


Maximum value set
0.03 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.001 mg/l
Median value
0.005 mg/l
The highest value was specified by Nicaragua in its 1994 Regulations. Albania,
Australia, the European Union, Norway, Turkey, Uganda and Ukraine specified 0.001
mg/l.
26
Benzo[a]pyrene
WHO Guideline value
0.0007 mg/l

value


Maximum value set
0.007 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.000005 mg/l
Median value
0.00001 mg/l
Where countries and territories also had a value for polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAH) (see other parameters), this parameter was usually quoted separately. The
majority of countries and territories had set a value below the GV. No country had a
value higher than the Guideline. Ukraine specified the lowest value.
Bromodichloromethane
WHO Guideline value
0.06 mg/l

value
25


Maximum value set
0.06 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.015 mg/l
Median value
0.06 mg/l
All but four of the countries and territories specifying a value for this parameter used
the GV. Albania specified the lowest value, Japan, the Russian Federation and
Republic of Korea specified 0.03 mg/l, the Sudan 0.04 mg/l. Some countries and
territories which did not specify a value for this parameter included it in their value for
total trihalomethanes.
27
Bromoform
WHO Guideline value
0.1 mg/l

value
22


Maximum value set
0.1 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.075mg/l
Median value
0.1 mg/l
All but three of the countries and territories specifying a value for this parameter used
the GV. The Sudan specified the lowest value and Japan 0.09 mg/l. Some countries
and territories which did not specify a value for this parameter included it in their value
for total trihalomethanes.
Carbofuran
WHO Guideline value
0.007 mg/l

value
24


Maximum value set
0.09 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.0035 mg/l
Median value
0.007 mg/l
Canada specified the highest value for this parameter, the USA specified 0.04 mg/l,
Taiwan Province of China 0.02 mg/l, Australia and Cambodia 0.01 mg/l and New
Zealand 0.008 mg/l. The Occupied Palestinian territory specified the lowest value, the
other countries and territories using a value below the GV all specified 0.005 mg/l.
28
Carbon Tetrachloride
WHO Guideline value
0.004 mg/l

value
33

10

16
Maximum value set
0.01 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.0013 mg/l
Median value
0.004 mg/l
26 of the 33 countries and territories specifying a value for this parameter differed from
the GV. Bangladesh specified the highest level, nine other countries and territories
specified 0.005 mg/l. Three countries and territories specified 0.003 mg/l, 12 countries
and territories 0.002 mg/l and one country (Syrian Arab Republic) specified 0.0013
mg/l.
Chlordane
WHO Guideline value
0.0002 mg/l

value
32


Maximum value set
0.003 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.00015 mg/l
Median value
0.0002 mg/l
Argentina, Paraguay, Rwanda and Zambia specified 0.0003 mg/l, Australia, Guatemala,
Israel and the USA specified 0.002 mg/l, and Columbia, in its 1994 standards, 0.003
mg/l. The Sudan specified the lowest value.
29
Chloroform
WHO Guideline value
0.3 mg/l

value
31


25
Maximum value set
0.4 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.03 mg/l
Median value
0.2 mg/l
The majority of countries and territories specifying a value for this parameter set a value
below the GV, most specifying 0.2 mg/l. Cuba, Kenya, Rwanda and Syrian Arab
Republic specified 0.03 mg/l. New Zealand specified 0.4 mg/l. Some countries and
territories that did not specify a value for this parameter included it in their value for
total trihalomethanes.
Chlorotoluron
WHO Guideline value
0.03 mg/l

value
12


Maximum value set
0.04 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.02 mg/l
Median value
0.03 mg/l
Only the Sudan (0.02 mg/l) and New Zealand (0.04 mg/l) did not specify the GV.
30
Chlorpyrifos
WHO Guideline value
0.03 mg/l

value
13


Maximum value set
0.09 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.01 mg/l
Median value
0.03 mg/l
Canada specified 0.09 mg/l, New Zealand and Samoa specified 0.04 mg/l. Australia
specified 0.01 mg/l.
Cyanazine
WHO Guideline value
0.0006 mg/l

value


Maximum value set
0.01 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.0006 mg/l
Median value
0.0007 mg/l
Only five countries and territories specified a value for this parameter. Oman and
Singapore specified the GV, New Zealand specified 0.0007 mg/l, Peru 0.006 mg/l and
Canada 0.01 mg/l.
Cyanogen Chloride
NB The fourth edition of the Guidelines does not specify a value for cyanogen chloride as it
occurs in drinking water at concentrations well below those of health concern. However it
has been included here because it was in the third edition and a number of countries and
territories still set a value for this parameter.
31
WHO Guideline value
No value specified in
fourth edition,

value
13

value greater than previous WHO Guideline

value less than previous WHO Guideline
Maximum value set
0.07 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.05 mg/l
Median value
0.07 mg/l
All countries and territories specified the former GV except the Sudan (0.005 mg/l).
Cyanuric Acid
WHO Guideline value
40 mg/l

value


No country in the survey set a value for this parameter, presumably because no country
uses sodium dichloroisocyanurate for disinfecting drinking-water.
2,4-D (2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid)

WHO Guideline value
0.03 mg/l

value
40


Maximum value set
0.1 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.01 mg/l
Median value
0.03 mg/l
The majority of countries and territories setting a value for this parameter designated the
GV. Argentina, Canada, Columbia and Paraguay specified 0.1 mg/l, Jordan 0.09 mg/l,
32
Taiwan Province of China and the USA 0.07 mg/l and New Zealand and Samoa 0.04
mg/l. The Sudan designated 0.02 mg/l and the Occupied Palestinian territory 0.01 mg/l.
2,4-DB (2,4-Dichlorophenoxybutyric Acid)

WHO Guideline value
0.09 mg/l

value
16


Maximum value set
0.1 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.067 mg/l
Median value
0.09 mg/l
Only 16 countries and territories designated a value for this parameter. The Dominican
Republic, Honduras, New Zealand and Nicaragua designated 0.1 mg/l, the Sudan
designated 0.067 mg/l.
DDT and metabolites

WHO Guideline value
0.001 mg/l

value
38

18

Maximum value set
0.05 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.001 mg/l
Median value
0.001 mg/l
Columbia designated 0.05 mg/l in its 1994 standards. Cambodia designated 0.05 mg/l,
the Sudan 0.015 mg, Australia 0.009 mg/l and 14 countries and territories 0.002 mg/l.
33
Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate
WHO Guideline value
0.008 mg/l

value


Maximum value set
0.009
Minimum value set
0.0054
Median value
0.008
Only nine countries and territories designated a value for this parameter. New Zealand
designated the highest value, Guatemala 0.006 mg/l, and the Sudan 0.0054 mg/l. Egypt,
Indonesia, Nicaragua, Oman, Singapore, and Uganda set the GV.
Dibromoacetylnitrile
WHO Guideline value
0.07 mg/l

value
16


Maximum value set
0.1 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.01 mg/l
Median value
0.0775 mg/l
Only 16 countries and territories designated a value for this parameter. Costa Rica,
Dominican Republic, Honduras, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Peru and the Republic of Korea
designated 0.1 mg/l. Egypt designated the lowest value.
34
Dibromochloromethane
WHO Guideline value
0.1 mg/l

value
26


Maximum value set
0.15 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.01 mg/l
Median value
0.1 mg/l
New Zealand designated the highest value, the Russian Federation 0.08 mg/l, the Sudan
0.075 mg/l, the USA 0.06 mg/l, Peru 0.05 mg/l and Ukraine 0.01 mg/l.
1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane
WHO Guideline value
0.001 mg/l

value
21


Maximum value set
0.007 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.0002 mg/l
Median value
0.001 mg/l
Only four out of 26 countries and territories differed from the GV. El Salvador and the
USA specified 0.0002 mg/l, Republic of Korea 0.003 mg/l and The Sudan 0.007 mg/l.
35
1,2-Dibromoethane
WHO Guideline value
0.0004 mg/l

value


Maximum value set
0.0004 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.0004 mg/l
Median value
0.0004 mg/l
Ecuador, Malaysia, New Zealand, Oman, Peru, the Philippines and Singapore all
specified the GV for this parameter.
Dichloroacetate
WHO Guideline value

D)

value
16


Maximum value set
0.05 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.02 mg/l
Median value
0.05 mg/l
Of the 16 countries and territories specifying a value for dichloroactetate only Japan
(0.04 mg/l) and Peru (0.02 mg/l) did not specify the GV.
36
Dichloroacetonitrile
WHO Guideline value

P)

value
17


Maximum value set
0.9 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.01 mg/l
Median value
0.06 mg/l
Peru specified the highest value but this is possibly a typographical error. Japan set the
lowest value. Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Honduras, Malaysia, Nicaragua
and the Republic of Korea specified 0.09 mg/l and the Sudan 0.06 mg/l.
Dichlorobenzene,1,2WHO Guideline value
1 mg/l

value
24


Maximum value set
1.5 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.0005 mg/l
Median value
1 mg/l
There was a wide difference in values specified for this parameter according to whether
countries and territories followed the WHO health-based Guideline or a value based on
taste and odour thresholds. Some specified values for both. Argentina specified the
lowest value. The Russian Federation specified 0.002 mg/l but the parameter is labelled
as dichlorobenzenes. The Sudan specified 0.7 mg/l, El Salvador, Guatemala and the
USA 0.6 mg/l and Canada 0.2 mg/l. Australia and New Zealand specified the highest
value but also specified 0.001 mg/l as an aesthetic value.
37
Dichlorobenzene,1,4WHO Guideline value
0.3 mg/l

value
22


Maximum value set
0.4 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.0004 mg/l
Median value
0.3 mg/l
There was a wide difference in values specified for this parameter according to whether
countries and territories followed the WHO health-based guideline value or a value
based on taste and odour thresholds. Some specified values for both. Argentina
specified the lowest value. The Russian Federation specified 0.002 mg/l but the
parameter is labeled as dichlorobenzenes. Canada specified 0.005 mg/l, El Salvador,
Taiwan Province of China and the USA 0.075 mg/l and Australia 0.04 mg/l. New
Zealand specified the highest value but 0.0003 mg/l as an odour threshold.
Dichloroethane,1,2WHO Guideline value
0.03 mg/l

value


Maximum value set
0.05 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.003 mg/l
Median value
0.003 mg/l
Albania, Australia, Iceland, the EU, Turkey and Ukraine specified the lowest value,
Ghana and Indonesia the highest.
Dichloroethene,1,1- (Vinylidene chloride)

NB The fourth edition of the Guidelines does not specify a value for dichloroethene 1,1- as it
occurs in drinking water at concentrations well below those of health concern. However it
38
has been included here because it was in the third edition and a number of countries and
territories still set a value for this parameter.
WHO Guideline value
the fourth edition,

value
29


Maximum value set
0.1 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.0003 mg/l
Median value
0.03 mg/l
Japan specified the highest value, Argentina and Paraguay the lowest.
Dichloroethene,1,2WHO Guideline value
0.05 mg/l

value
21


Maximum value set
0.1 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.035 mg/l
Median value
0.05 mg/l
Australia and New Zealand specified 0.06 mg/l, the USA 0.07 mg/l and Israel 0.1 mg/l.
Japan specified 0.04 mg/l and the Sudan 0.035 mg/l.
39
Dichloromethane
WHO Guideline value
0.02 mg/l

value
25


Maximum value set
0.05 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.003 mg/l
Median value
0.02 mg/l
Canada (0.05 mg/l) and Bangladesh (0.03 mg/l) were the countries and territories
specifying higher than the GVGLV. The USA (0.005 mg/l), Australia (0.004 mg/l), El
Salvador (0.003 mg/l) and the Sudan (0.014 mg/l) specified values below.
1,2-Dichloropropane
WHO Guideline value

P)

value
19


Maximum value set
0.05 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.005 mg/l
Median value
0.02 mg/l
New Zealand specified the highest value, El Salvador and the USA specified the lowest.
Honduras, Nicaragua and The Russian Federation specified 0.02 mg/l and The Sudan
0.015 mg/l.
40
1,3-Dichloropropene
WHO Guideline value
0.02 mg/l

value
15


Maximum value set
0.02 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.015 mg/l
Median value
0.02 mg/l
Only the Sudan set a value that differed from the GV.
Dichlorprop
WHO Guideline value
0.1 mg/l

value
19


Maximum value set
0.1 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.075 mg/l
Median value
0.1 mg/l
Only the Sudan set a value that differed from the GV.
Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate
WHO Guideline value
0.008 mg/l

value
16


Maximum value set
0.1 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.003 mg/l
Median value
0.008 mg/l
41
Japan (0.1 mg/l), Australia (0.01 mg/l) and New Zealand specified values above the GV.
El Salvador and the USA (0.006 mg/l) and Honduras (0.003 mg/l) specified below.
Dimethoate
WHO Guideline value
0.006 mg/l

value
11


Maximum value set
0.08 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.006 mg/l
Median value
0.006 mg/l
Only China (0.08 mg/l), Canada (0.02 mg/l) and New Zealand (0.008 mg/l) specified
values that differed from the GV.
Dioxane,1,4WHO Guideline value
0.05 mg/l

value


Maximum value set
0.05 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.05 mg/l
Median value
0.05 mg/l
Only Ecuador, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore and Uganda specified a value for this
parameter and all specified the GV.
42
Edetec Acid (EDTA)

WHO Guideline value
0.6 mg/l

value
17


Maximum value set
0.7 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.15 mg/l
Median value
0.6 mg/l
New Zealand specified the highest value, the Sudan the lowest. Costa Rica, the
Dominican Republic, Egypt, Ghana, Honduras and Nicaragua specified 0.2 mg/l and
Australia 0.25 mg/l.
Endrin
WHO Guideline value
0.0006 mg/l

value
16


Maximum value set
0.002 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.0001 mg/l
Median value
0.0006 mg/l
Israel, Jordan, Uruguay and the USA specified the highest value, New Zealand 0.001
mg/l. Guatemala specified the lowest value, Zambia specified 0.0002 mg/l and
Colombia 0.0005 mg/l.
43
Epichlorohydrin
WHO Guideline value
0.0004 mg/l

value


Maximum value set
0.0005 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.0001 mg/l
Median value
0.0001 mg/l
Albania, Australia and New Zealand specified the highest value. The USA specified
0.0002 mg/l as a treatment standard only where epichlorohydrin is used in treatment.
The Sudan specified 0.0003 mg/l, the EU, Iceland, Norway, Turkey and Uganda
Ethylbenzene
WHO Guideline value
0.3 mg/l

value
25


Maximum value set
0.7 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.2 mg/l
Median value
0.3 mg/l
Guatemala and the USA specified 0.7 mg/l; Honduras and Jordan specified0.5 mg/l.
Brazil and the Sudan specified 0.2 mg/l.
44
Fenoprop
WHO Guideline value
0.009 mg/l

value
13


Maximum value set
0.01 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.006 mg/l
Median value
0.009 mg/l
There is variation from the GV for this parameter. Australia and New Zealand specified
the highest value, the Sudan the lowest value.
Hexachlorobutadiene
WHO Guideline value
0.0006 mg/l

value
19


Maximum value set
0.0007 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.0004 mg/l
Median value
0.0006 mg/l
There is l variation from the GV for this parameter. Australia and New Zealand
specified the highest value, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Honduras and
Nicaragua specified the lowest value.
Hydroxyatrazine
WHO Guideline value
0.2 mg/l

value


No country or territory in the survey specified a value for this parameter.

45
Isoproturon
WHO Guideline value
0.009 mg/l

value
18


Maximum value set
0.01 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.007 mg/l
Median value
0.009 mg/l
There is variation from the GV in the values specified for this parameter. Only New
Zealand (0.01 mg/l) and the Sudan (0.007 mg/l) did not specify the WHO guideline
value.
Lindane
WHO Guideline value
0.002 mg/l

value
40


Maximum value set
0.01 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.0002 mg/l
Median value
0.002 mg/l
Australia specified the highest value, Colombia 0.005 mg/l, Jordan and the Occupied
Palestinian territory 0.004 mg/l and Argentina, Paraguay and Zambia 0.003 mg/l. El
Salvador, Taiwan Province of China and the USA specified 0.0002 mg/l and the Sudan
46
MCPA (4-(2-Methyl-4-chlorophenoxy) acetic acid)

WHO Guideline value
0.002 mg/l

value
21


Maximum value set
0.1 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.002 mg/l
Median value
0.002 mg/l
All countries and territories specified the GV except the Sudan (0.015 mg/l), Australia
(0.04 mg/l and Canada (0.1 mg/l).
Mecoprop
WHO Guideline value
0.01 mg/l

value
16


Maximum value set
0.01 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.001 mg/l
Median value
0.01 mg/l
Only Indonesia (0.001 mg/l) and the Sudan (0.007 mg/l) did not specify the GV.
Methoxychlor
WHO Guideline value
0.02 mg/l

value
36


Maximum value set
0.9 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.015 mg/l
Median value
0.02 mg/l
47
There is c variation in the values for this parameter. Canada specified the highest value
and the Sudan the lowest. Australia specified 0.3 mg/l, Colombia and Paraguay 0.1
mg/l, the USA 0.04 mg/l and Argentina, Paraguay and Zambia 0.03 mg/l.
Metolachlor
WHO Guideline value
0.01 mg/l

value
20


Maximum value set
0.3 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.007 mg/l
Median value
0.01 mg/l
All countries and territories specified the GV for this parameter except Australia (0.3
mg/l), Canada (0.05 mg/l) and the Sudan (0.007 mg/l).
Microcystin-LR
WHO Guideline value

P)

value
11


Maximum value set
0.0015 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.001 mg/l
Median value
0.001 mg/l
Australia specified 0.0013 mg/l and Canada 0.0015 mg/l. Brazil, China, Ecuador, New
Zealand, Oman, Peru, Singapore, South Africa, and Uruguay specified the GV.
48
Molinate
WHO Guideline value
0.006 mg/l

value
20


Maximum value set
0.007 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.004 mg/l
Median value
0.006 mg/l
Of the 20 countries and territories specifying a value only New Zealand (0.007 mg/l) as
well as Australia and the Sudan (0.004 mg/l) did not specify the GV.
Monochloramine
WHO Guideline value
3 mg/l

value
19


Maximum value set
4 mg/l
Minimum value set
2 mg/l
Median value
3 mg/l
Of the 19 countries and territories specifying a value only Costa Rica, Honduras and
Nicaragua (4 mg/l) and the Sudan (2 mg/l) did not specify the GV. China specified 3
mg/l ex-works but 0.05 mg/l in distribution.
49
Monochloroacetic Acid (Monochloroacetate)

WHO Guideline value
0.02 mg/l

value


Maximum value set
0.2 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.02 mg/l
Median value
0.02 mg/l
Peru specified the highest value. New Zealand, Oman, the Philippines, Singapore,
Uganda and Uruguay specified the GV.
Nitrilotriacetic Acid
WHO Guideline value
0.2 mg/l

value
18


Maximum value set
0.4 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.15 mg/l
Median value
0.2 mg/l
Of the 18 countries and territories specifying a value only Canada (0.4 mg/l) and the
Sudan (0.15 mg/l) did not specify the GV.
50
N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA)
WHO Guideline value
0.0001 mg/l

value


Maximum value set
0.0001 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.0001 mg/l
Median value
0.0001 mg/l
Only Australia has so far specified a value for this parameter.
Pendimethalin
WHO Guideline value
0.02 mg/l

value
20


Maximum value set
0.4 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.015 mg/l
Median value
0.02 mg/l
Of the 20 countries and territories specifying a value only Australia (0.4 mg/l) and the
Sudan (0.015 mg/l) did not specify the GV.
Pentachlorophenol (PCP)
WHO Guideline value
0.009 mg/l

value
32


Maximum value set
0.06 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.001 mg/l
Median value
0.009 mg/l
51
Canada specified the highest value, El Salvador, Guatemala and USA the lowest.
Argentina, Australia, Paraguay and The Russian Federation specified 0.01 mg/l,
Bangladesh 0.03 mg/l and The Sudan 0.007 mg/l.
Permethrin
NB The fourth edition of the Guidelines does not specify a value for permethrin because
it is not recommended for direct addition to drinking-water as part of WHOs policy to
exclude the use of pyrethroids for larviciding of mosquito vectors of human disease.
However, it has been included here because it was in the third edition and a number of
countries and territories retain a value for this parameter. This does not mean that
permethrin is still used in these countries and territories.
WHO Guideline value
fourth edition,
previously 0.3 mg/l

value
17

value greater than the previous WHO Guideline

value less than the previous WHO Guideline
14
Maximum value set
0.3 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.02 mg/l
Median value
0.02 mg/l
Indonesia, Singapore and Uganda specified 0.3 mg/l, Australia 0.2 mg/l. The other 13
countries and territories specified 0.02 mg/l.
Pyriproxyfen
NB The fourth edition of the Guidelines does not specify a value for pyriproxyfen
because it is not considered appropriate to set guideline values for pesticides used for
vector control in drinking-water. However, it has been included here because a
guideline was set in the third edition and a number of countries and territories retain a
value for this parameter. Under the WHO Pesticides Evaluation Scheme (WHOPES) the
recommended dosage of pyriproxyfen in potable water in containers should not exceed
0.01mg/l.
52
WHO Guideline value
fourth edition,
previously 0.3 mg/l

value

value greater than previous WHO Guideline

value less than previous WHO Guideline
Maximum value set
0.4 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.3 mg/l
Median value
0.3 mg/l
New Zealand specified the highest value, Oman, Peru, Singapore and Uganda specified
0.3 mg/l.
Simazine
WHO Guideline value
0.002 mg/l

value
24


Maximum value set
0.02 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.0015 mg/l
Median value
0.002 mg/l
Australia specified the highest value, the Sudan the lowest. Canada specified 0.01 mg/l,
USA 0.004 mg/l and the Russian Federation 0.0024 mg/l.
Sodium Dichloroisocyanurate
WHO Guideline value
50 mg/l

value


No country set a value for this parameter presumably because it is not used as a
disinfectant for drinking-water.
53
Styrene
WHO Guideline value
0.02 mg/l

value
23


Maximum value set
0.1 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.015 mg/l
Median value
0.02 mg/l
Guatemala and USA specified the highest value, the Sudan the lowest. Israel specified
0.05 mg/l and Australia and New Zealand 0.03 mg/l.
2,4,5-T (2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxy acetic acid)

WHO Guideline value
0.009 mg/l

value
22


Maximum value set
0.1 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.002 mg/l
Median value
0.009 mg/l
Australia specified the highest figure, Colombia the lowest. The USA specified 0.05
mg/l, New Zealand and the Occupied Palestinian territory 0.01 mg/l and the Sudan
0.006 mg/l.
54
Terbuthylazine
WHO Guideline value
0.007 mg/l

value


Maximum value set
0.01 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.007 mg/l
Median value
0.007 mg/l
Australia specified the highest value, New Zealand specified 0.008 mg/l. Ecuador,
Oman, Peru, Singapore, and Uganda specified the GV.
Tetrachloroethene
WHO Guideline value
0.04 mg/l

value


Maximum value set
0.05 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.001 mg/l
Median value
0.01 mg/l
Tetrachloroethene is one of few parameters where the majority of countries and

territories specifying a value set it below the GV. El Salvador specified the lowest
value, Guatemala, Jordan, New Zealand and USA specified 0.005 mg/l. The EU,
Iceland, Norway, Turkey and Ukraine specified 0.01 mg/l jointly with trichloroethene.
The Russian Federation specified 0.02 mg/l, Bangladesh, Canada and the Sudan 0.03
mg/l. Australia specified the highest value.
55
Toluene
WHO Guideline value
0.7 mg/l

value
32


Maximum value set
1 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.024 mg/l
Median value
0.7 mg/l
Guatemala and USA specified the highest value, Canada the lowest (as an advisory
level). Australia and New Zealand specified 0.8 mg/l.
Trichloroacetic acid
WHO Guideline value
0.2 mg/l

value
17


Maximum value set
0.2 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.02 mg/l
Median value
0.2 mg/l
Indonesia specified the lowest value. China, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic,
Honduras, Malaysia and Nicaragua specified 0.1 mg/l.
56
Trichloroethene
WHO Guideline value
0.02 mg/l (provisional)

value

21

Maximum value set
0.09 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.001 mg/l
Median value
0.01 mg/l
A wide variety of values were specified for this parameter. Only Ecuador, Indonesia,
New Zealand, Singapore and Uganda specified the provisional GV. Bangladesh
specified the highest value, El Salvador the lowest. The EU, Iceland, Norway, Turkey
and Ukraine specified 0.01 mg/l jointly with tetrachloroethene.
Trichlorophenol,2,4,6WHO Guideline value
0.2 mg/l

value
30


11
Maximum value set
0.3 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.002 mg/l
Median value
0.2 mg/l
New Zealand specified the highest value, Uruguay the lowest. The Russian Federation
specified 0.004 mg/l, Canada 0.005 mg/l.
57
Trifluralin
WHO Guideline value
0.02 mg/l

value
19


Maximum value set
0.09 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.02 mg/l
Median value
0.02 mg/l
Australia specified the highest value, Canada specified 0.045 mg/l and New Zealand
0.03 mg/l.
Trihalomethanes (Total)
WHO Guideline value. (The sum of the values for
Bromodichloromethane, Bromoform, Chloroform and
Dibromochloromethane should not exceed 1 mg/l).
1 mg/l

value


57
Maximum value set
1 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.001 mg/l
Median value
0.1 mg/l
Trihalomethanes is one of few parameters where the majority of countries and

territories specifying a value set it below the GV. Only Chile, China, El Salvador,
Malaysia, New Zealand, Oman, Peru and Singapore specified the WHO Guideline.
Nigeria specified the lowest value. The majority of other countries and territories
including the EU specified 0.1 mg/l. China, El Salvador, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand,
Oman, Peru, Singapore, Republic of Korea and Zambia were the only countries and
territories to specify a value for total trihalomethanes and a value for each of its
constituent parameters.
58
Vinyl Chloride
WHO Guideline value
0.0003 mg/l

value


Maximum value set
0.02 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.0003 mg/l
Median value
0.0005 mg/l
Vinyl chloride is one of few parameters where the majority of countries and territories
specifying a value set it below the GV. Only Australia, Ecuador, El Salvador, New
Zealand, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Singapore, Uganda and Uruguay specified the WHO
Guideline value. The Sudan specified 0.00035 mg/l. The majority of countries and
territories including the EU specified 0.0005 mg/l. The Russian Federation specified
the highest value.
Xylenes
WHO Guideline value
0.5 mg/l

value
30


Maximum value set
10 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.05 mg/l
Median value
0.5 mg/l
The USA specified the highest value, the Russian Federation the lowest. Guatemala
and Israel specified 1 mg/l, Honduras and Jordan 0.7 mg/l and Australia and New
Zealand 0.6 mg/l. The Sudan specified 0.35 mg/l, Brazil, Canada and Uruguay 0.3 mg/l.
59
Appendix 3
Aesthetic parameters
Aluminium
WHO Guideline value
None set

value

value greater than WHO Guideline recommendation of 0.2 mg/l

value less than WHO Guideline recommendation of 0.2 mg/l
Maximum value set
0.5 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.1 mg/l
Median value
0.2 mg/l
A GV has not been established for aluminium although the guidelines note that average
residuals should not exceed levels needed to optimize coagulation in drinking-water
plants that use aluminium-based coagulants (0.1-0.2 mg/l). It also notes that a healthbased value of 0.9 mg/l could be derived, but that aluminium concentrations greater
than 0.1-0.2 mg/l can lead to aesthetic issues. All but ten of the 91 countries and
territories specifying a value for aluminium set a value of 0.2 mg/l. Viet Nam specified
0.5 mg/l, the Occupied Palestinian territory and South Africa specified 0.3 mg/l and
Bolivia, Canada, Guatemala, Kenya, New Zealand, Oman and Rwanda specified 0.1
mg/l. Chile, Ecuador, Israel, Singapore, Sri Lanka, the United Republic of Tanzania,
Thailand and Tunisia did not specify a value for this parameter.
Ammonium
WHO Guideline value
None set

value
Maximum value set
3 mg NH4/l
Minimum value set
0.05 mg NH4/l
Median value
0.5 mg NH4/l
Usually, but not always, it was clear how ammonium was being expressed. Viet Nam
specified the highest value, Botswana and the United Republic of Tanzania specified
0.2 mg NH4 /l. Nineteen countries and territories specified 1.5 mg NH4/l, the others
60
were all 1 mg NH4 /l. Sri Lanka (0.06 mg NH4 /l) and Albania (0.05 mgNH4 /l)
specified the lowest values.
Chloride
WHO Guideline value
None set

value
Maximum value set
1200
Minimum value set
200
Median value
250
The WHO Guidelines mention that concentrations in excess of 250 mg/l are
increasingly likely to be detected by taste. Most countries and territories specified this
value. 16 countries and territories specified a higher level, Sri Lanka set the highest
value, India set 1000 mg/l. Albania, Japan, Lebanon and Norway set 200 mg/l.
Ecuador, Singapore, The United Republic of Tanzania and the Bolivarian Republic of
Venezuela did not set a value for this parameter.
Colour
WHO Guideline value (true colour units)
None set

value
70
Maximum value set
50 TCU
Minimum value set
5 TCU
Median value
15 TCU
The WHO Guidelines suggest 15 TCU as the level for consumer acceptance. 40 out of
69 countries and territories setting a value for the colour parameter set 15 TCU. Nine
countries and territories (Argentina, Cambodia, Ghana, Fiji, Japan, Lao Peoples
Democratic Republic, Nepal, Samoa, and the Republic of Korea) set the lowest value of
5 TCU. Tunisia and the United Republic of Tanzania set 50 TCU. The EU and Turkey
had only an advisory statement of acceptable to consumers and no change. Iceland
and Suriname did not set a value for this parameter.
61
Dissolved oxygen
WHO Guideline value
None set

value
Maximum value set
8 mg/l
Minimum value set
4 mg/l
Median value
6 mg/l
Albania (8 mg/l), the Russian Federation (4 mg/l) and Viet Nam (6 mg/l) set numerical
values. Australia specified dissolved oxygen should be >85%.
Hardness
WHO Guideline value
None set

value
53
Maximum value set
1000 mg CaCO3/l
Minimum value set
100 mg CaCO3/l
Median value
500 mg CaCO3/l
It was assumed that all quoted figures referred to mg CaCO3/l although this was not
always clear, especially when no method was specified. Albania quoted German
degrees. Botswana specified the highest value although 500 mg CaCO3/l was its
recommended value. A number of other countries and territories also had target or
desirable levels below their maximum value. Panama set the lowest value.
Hydrogen sulphide
WHO Guideline value
None set

value
21
Maximum value set
0.1 mg/l
Minimum value set
0 mg/l
Median value
0.05 mg/l
All 22 countries and territories set values within the taste threshold of 0.05 0.1 mg/l
quoted in the WHO Guidelines. Lao Peoples Democratic Republic and Oman quoted
the highest value, Morocco quoted undetectable.
62
Iron
WHO Guideline value
None set

value
Maximum value set
2 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.2 mg/l
Median value
0.3 mg/l
Almost all countries and territories set a value for this parameter. Fifteen countries and
territories set a value above the Guideline quoted 0.3 mg/l at which staining may occur.
South Africa set the highest value as relating to chronic health effects but it also had an
aesthetic value of 0.3 mg/l. Thirty-five countries and territories (including the EU)
specified the lowest value. Ecuador, Pakistan, Singapore and Suriname did not specify
a value for this parameter.
pH Maximum
WHO Guideline value
None set

value
Maximum value set
pH 9.7
Minimum value set
pH 8
Median value
pH 8.5
Only Ecuador did not specify a value for this parameter. Forty-four countries and
territories (including the EU) specified a value above the Guidelines suggested pH 8.5
but many included the comment that chlorine disinfectant is only effective below pH 8.
South Africa set the highest value, which was described as an operational limit.
pH Minimum
WHO Guideline value
None set

value
98
Maximum value set
pH 7
Minimum value set
pH 5
Median value
pH 6.5
Only Ecuador and Honduras did not specify a value for this parameter. Seven countries
and territories specified a value below the Guidelines suggested pH 6.5: Brazil, Taiwan
63
Province of China and Viet Nam (pH 6); Japan and Republic of Korea (pH 5.8);
Botswana and Uganda (pH 5.5), and South Africa (pH 5) which was described as an
operational limit. New Zealand specified the highest value.
Sodium
WHO Guideline value
None set

value
Maximum value set
400 mg/l
Minimum value set
100 mg/l
Median value
200 mg/l
Seventy-two of the 78 countries and territories (including the EU) set a value of 200
mg/l, the Guidelines comment that above this level may give rise to unacceptable taste.
Jordan and Oman set a value of 400 mg/l, Lao Peoples Democratic Republic set 250
mg/l. Albania (100 mg/l), Australia (180 mg/l) and Lebanon (150 mg/l) set lower
values.
Sulphate
WHO Guideline value
None set

value
Maximum value set
800 mg/l
Minimum value set
100 mg/l
Median value
250 mg/l
The Guidelines suggest taste impairment is minimal below 250 mg/l but can be up to
1000 mg/l for calcium sulphate. The United Republic of Tanzania set the highest value,
Nigeria and Norway the lowest. Tunisia set 600 mg/l, Australia, Canada, Chile, Jordan,
the Russian Federation, South Africa and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela 500
mg/l. Ecuador, Iraq, Japan, Lebanon, Pakistan, Singapore, Uganda and Viet Nam did
not specify a value for this parameter.
64
Temperature
WHO Guideline value
None set

value
11
Maximum value set
35oC
Minimum value set
15oC
Median value
25oC
None of the values for temperature were mandatory, being guiding levels or operational
goals. None of the countries and territories documents indicated what would happen if
temperatures rose above the suggested value. Lao Peoples Democratic Republic set the
highest value, Canada the lowest. In addition to those with numerical values, six
countries and territories had descriptive levels: Cuba 2.5 oC above normal; Indonesia
air temperature plus 3 oC; Morocco, New Zealand and Oman Acceptable; and
Nigeria Ambient.
Total dissolved solids

WHO Guideline value
None set

value
65
Maximum value set
2500 mg/l
Minimum value set
200 mg/l
Median value
1000 mg/l
Most countries and territories (but not the EU) set a value for this parameter. There was
a wide range of values. Tunisia set the highest value, India and Sri Lanka set 2000 mg/l.
Columbia set the lowest value. Ecuador, the European Union, Iceland, Morocco,
Norway, The Russian Federation, Singapore, the United Republic of Tanzania and
Turkey did not specify a value.
65
Turbidity
WHO Guideline value
None set

value
68
Maximum value set
25 NTU
Minimum value set
0.3 NTU
Median value
5 NTU
WHO Guidance suggests <1 NTU for water to be disinfected, <4 NTU to be acceptable
to the naked eye. Eleven countries and territories specified a value of 1 NTU or less,
Canada specified the lowest turbidity (for water that will be treated conventionally).
Many values were accompanied by comments Chile, for example, set 20 NTU but
stated that the monthly average of results must not exceed 2 NTU, South Africa quoted
5 as an aesthetic limit but 1 NTU as an operational limit. The United Republic of
Tanzania and Turkey specified the highest value but the United Republic of Tanzania
also had a lower limit of 5 NTU. The European Union and Iceland specified
Acceptable to consumers and no abnormal change. A complicated set of values from
which to draw any conclusions but the median value of 5 NTU reflects the value set by
the majority of countries and territories. Turkey and the Russian Federation did not
specify a value for this parameter,
Zinc
WHO Guideline value
None set

value
64
Maximum value set
15 mg/l
Minimum value set
1 mg/l
Median value
4 mg/l
WHO Guidelines note that zinc > 4 mg/l may affect the taste of water. Thirty-two out
of 65 countries and territories reporting a value for this parameter specified 3 mg/l or
less. China, Japan, the Russian Federation and Ukraine specified the lowest value.
India, Sri Lanka, the United Republic of Tanzania and Thailand specified the highest
value but of these India, the United Republic of Tanzania and Thailand noted 5 mg/l as
the desirable or lower limit. Ecuador, the European Union, Ghana, Iceland, Lao
Peoples Democratic Republic, Norway, Singapore, Turkey and Uganda did not specify
a value for this parameter.
66
Appendix 4
Radiological parameters
Total Dose / Individual Dose Criterion

WHO Guideline value
None specified

value
Maximum value set
0.1 mSv/year
Minimum value set
0.1 mSv/year
Median value
0.1 mSv/year
WHO Guidelines state that the additional risk from exposure to an annual dose of 0.1
mSv associated with the intake of radionuclides from drinking water is considered to be
low. The EU, Iceland, Israel, Norway, Peru and Turkey specified values for this
parameter. Israel, Peru and Turkey also set values for gross alpha and beta activity.
Gross alpha activity

WHO Screening level
0.5 Bq/l

value
45


Maximum value set
0.56 Bq/l
Minimum value set
0.037 Bq/l
Median value
0.1 Bq/l
Eleven countries and territories specified the GV (or its equivalent when their values are
converted from pCI/l). Thirty countries and territories specified the WHO Guideline or
its equivalent. The Russian Federation expressed gross alpha and beta in terms of a
ratio and El Salvador in terms of annual dose. Rwanda specified 0.037 Bq/l and the
Sudan 0.07 Bq/l.
67
Gross beta activity

WHO Screening level
1 Bq/l

value
45


Maximum value set
1.9 Bq/l
Minimum value set
0.1 Bq/l
Median value
1 Bq/l
Chile specified 1.9 Bq/l and Mexico 1.85 Bq/l. Australia, New Zealand and Rwanda
specified 0.5 Bq/l. The Russian Federation expressed gross alpha and beta in terms of a
ratio and El Salvador in terms of annual dose
68
Appendix 5
Microbiological parameters
Coliform bactera (Total)

WHO Guideline value
None specified

value
Maximum value set
150 per 100 ml
Minimum value set
0 per 100 ml
Median value
0 per 100 ml
The WHO Guidelines comment that total coliform bacteria include organisms that can
survive and grow in water so they are not useful as an indicator of faecal pathogens. It
recommends that total coliforms should be absent immediately after treatment and
presence of these organisms indicates inadequate treatment. Few countries and
territories appeared to recognize this in their setting values. Seven countries and
territories did not specify a value for total coliforms Australia, Bangladesh, Ghana,
Japan, New Zealand, Singapore and Tunisia. Generally the other countries and
territories specified a value of zero for this parameter. Some specified <1.1 per 100 ml
for analysis by most probable number technique. Where the value specified was greater
than zero, for example Sri Lanka specified 10 per 100 ml, Taiwan Province of China 6
per 100 ml, Argentina, Egypt, Honduras, Israel and Paraguay specified 3 per 100 ml, in
most cases this was qualified by not detecting coliform bacteria in two consecutive
samples or 95% of annual samples or both. South Africa specified 10 per 100ml as an
operational value. Uganda specified 100 coliform bacteria per 100 ml in a maximum of
1% of samples, 10 per 100 ml in a maximum of 4% of samples and not detected in a
minimum of 95% of samples. Botswana designated the highest value as a maximum
allowable range of 50 150 per 100 ml but a recommended maximum limit of 10 per
100 ml.
69
Escherichia coli (Faecal coliforms, Thermotolerant coliforms)

WHO Guideline value
Must not be detectable

in any 100ml sample

value
Maximum value set
1 per 100 ml
Minimum value set
Median value
For the purposes of this survey, faecal coliforms and thermotolerant coliforms have not
been counted separately where they have been specified by countries and territories in
addition to E coli because the value has always been zero per 100 ml. The WHO
Guidelines advise that the presence of E coli (or thermotolerant coliforms) provides
evidence of recent faecal contamination. All countries and territories specified a value
of zero per 100 ml except Uganda which specified 1 per 100 ml in a maximum of 1% of
samples. Cuba did not specify a value for this parameter, just specifying zero per 100
ml for coliforms.
Clostridium perfringens (Sulphite-reducing anaerobes)

WHO Guideline value
None specified

value
Maximum value set
0 per 100 ml
Minimum value set
0 per 100 ml
Median value
0 per 100 ml
The WHO Guidelines endorse the view that Clostridium perfringens has only limited
value as a possible indicator of enteric viruses and protozoan (oo)cysts but may be
useful as an indicator of the effectiveness of filtration processes. All countries and
territories specifying a value for this parameter specified zero per 100 ml (or in some
cases 20 ml or 50 ml) for this parameter.
70
Enterococci (Faecal streptococci)

WHO Guideline value
None specified

value
Maximum value set
0 per 100 ml
Minimum value set
0 per 100 ml
Median value
0 per 100 ml
The WHO Guidelines advise that Intestinal enterococci can be used as an indicator of
faecal pollution and may survive longer in water than E coli. All countries and
territories specifying a value for this parameter specified zero per 100 ml, Colombia
specified that the value should be zero per 100 ml in 95% of samples (where more than
20 are taken annually) and not be present in consecutive samples.
Total heterotrophic bacteria 22oC

WHO Guideline value
None specified

value
17
Maximum value set
10000 cfu per ml
Minimum value set
5 cfu per ml
Median value
100 cfu per ml
The WHO Guidelines advise that the test for this parameter has little value as an
indicator of pathogen presence but can be useful in operational monitoring as a
treatment and disinfectant indicator and for assessing the cleanliness of distribution
systems, The objective is to keep numbers as low as possible. Uganda specified the
highest value for this parameter but in a maximum of 1% of samples (also 1000 cfu per
ml in a maximum of 4% of samples and 100 cfu per ml in a minimum of 95% of
samples). The Syrian Arab Republic specified 2000 cfu per ml, South Africa 1000 cfu
per ml (operational value), Philippines and Thailand 500 cfu per ml and all other
countries and territories 100 cfu per ml or less. The EU specified no abnormal change
for this parameter. Bolivia, China, Taiwan Province of China, El Salvador, Japan, the
Philippines, Republic of Korea, Thailand and Uganda did not specify a temperature for
this parameter in their value documentation. Here they have been included at 22OC.
71
Total heterotrophic bacteria 37oC

WHO Guideline value
None specified

value
13
Maximum value set
500 cfu per ml
Minimum value set
0 cfu per ml
Median value
100 cfu per ml
The WHO Guidelines advise that the test for this parameter has little value as an
indicator of pathogen presence but can be useful in operational monitoring as a
treatment and disinfectant indicator and for assessing the cleanliness of distribution
systems, The objective is to keep numbers as low as possible. Ghana, Peru and
Uruguay specified the highest value. Argentina also specified 500 cfu per ml but only
for small reservoirs. Ethiopia specified the lowest value (as total viable organisms must
not be detected at 30oC). Colombia, Peru and Uruguay specified 35oC. Only the
Dominican Republic, Ghana, Morocco, and the Syrian Arab Republic specified values
at both 22OC and 37OC.
72
Appendix 6
Other parameters
Conductivity
WHO Guideline value
None specified

value
Maximum value set
2700 S/cm
Minimum value set
170 S/cm
Median value
2500 S/cm
A wide range of values, South Africa specified the lowest value, Morocco the highest.
Thirty countries and territories including the EU specified 2500 S/cm.
Total Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH)

WHO Guideline value
None specified

value
Maximum value set
0.01 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.0001 mg/l
Median value
0.0001 mg/l
The WHO Guidelines do not advise a health-based guideline value for total PAH.
Benzo(a)pyrene has a health-based value of 0.0007 mg/l (see organic parameters). For
fluoranthene it advises that it occurs in drinking-water at concentrations well below
those of health concern but a health-based value of 0.004 can be calculated on available
data. Bolivia and Pakistan specified the highest value, Botswana specified 0.001 mg/l
and Nigeria 0.007 mg/l. Thirty three countries and territories, including the EU
Oxidizability (Permanganate Value)

WHO Guideline value
None specified

value
41
Maximum value set
20 mg/l
Minimum value set
3 mg/l
Median value
5 mg/l
73
The United Republic of Tanzania specified the highest value, Albania and Japan the
lowest, Japans was a target value. Thirty-six countries and territories including the EU
specified 5 mg/l.
Heptachlor and Heptachlor Epoxide

WHO Guideline value
None specified

value
20
Maximum value set
0.0001 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.00003 mg/l
Median value
0.00003 mg/l
The WHO Guidelines advise that this parameter occurs in drinking water at
concentrations well below those of health concern. It mentions that a health-based
value of 0.00003 mg/l can be calculated for heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide. It also
advises that concentrations below 0.0001 mg/l are generally not achievable using
conventional treatment technology. Twenty countries and territories specified a value
for heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide. Argentina, Paraguay and Zambia specified the
highest value, New Zealand specified 0.00004 mg/l and 16 countries and territories
specified the lowest value and median.
Heptachlor
WHO Guideline value
None specified

value
11
Maximum value set
0.05 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.00003 mg/l
Median value
0.0004 mg/l
Also, eleven countries and territories specified a value just for Heptachlor. The Russian
Federation specified the highest value of 0.05 mg/l, Albania, the Dominican Republic
and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela the lowest value of 0.00003 mg/l.
74
Heptachlor Epoxide
WHO Guideline value
None specified

value
Maximum value set
0.0002 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.00003 mg/l
Median value
0.0001 mg/l
Also, five countries and territories specified a value just for Heptachlor epoxide. El
Salvador and the USA specified the highest value, Albania and the Dominican Republic
the lowest. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela specified 0.0001 mg/l
Phenols
WHO Guideline value
None specified

value
33
Maximum value set
0.3 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.0003 mg/l
Median value
0.002 mg/l
Botswana specified the highest value but recommended a range of 0.002 0.01 mg/l.
Mexico specified the lowest value. Sixteen countries and territories specified 0.002
mg/l.
Detergent (Anionic surfactants)

WHO Guideline value
None specified

value
30
Maximum value set
2 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.01 mg/l
Median value
0.5 mg/l
The United Republic of Tanzania specified the highest value, Nigeria the lowest.
Ethiopia, India, Israel and Zambia specified 1 mg/l. Twelve countries and territories
specified 0.5 mg/l. Japan (0.02 mg/l) also specified values for nonionic detergents.
75
Magnesium
WHO Guideline value
None specified

value
28
Maximum value set
1000 mg/l
Minimum value set
30 mg/l
Median value
100 mg/l
The WHO Guidelines advise that the taste threshold for magnesium is probably less
than the 150 300 mg/l range for calcium. The United Republic of Tanzania specified
the highest value, Honduras the lowest. It was not always clear if the value specified
was quoted as magnesium ion or as a magnesium salt. The United Republic of
Tanzania also specified a value for magnesium + sodium (600 mg/l).
Calcium
WHO Guideline value
None specified

value
27
Maximum value set
500 mg/l
Minimum value set
50 mg/l
Median value
150 mg/l
The WHO Guidelines advise a taste threshold for calcium ion of 150 300 mg/l
depending on the associated anion. Sierra Leone specified the highest value, Iraq and
Mozambique the lowest. It was not always clear if the value specified was quoted as
calcium ion or as a calcium salt.
Silver
WHO Guideline value
None specified

value
22
Maximum value set
0.1 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.01 mg/l
Median value
0.05 mg/l
The WHO Guidelines advise that the available data is inadequate to permit the
derivation of a health-based guideline value. Australia, El Salvador, Jordan, New
76
Zealand, Uruguay and the USA specified the highest value, Albania, the Dominican
Republic, Israel and Lebanon the lowest.
Hexachlorobenzene
WHO Guideline value
None specified

value
21
Maximum value set
0.001 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.00001 mg/l
Median value
0.001 mg/l
The WHO Guidelines advise that this parameter occurs in drinking water at
concentrations well below those of health concern. It mentions that health-based values
of 0.00005 mg/l to 0.001 mg/l could be established but are not considered necessary at
present. Fifteen countries and territories specified the highest and median value, Ghana,
Guatemala and Mexico the lowest value. Lebanon and New Zealand specified 0.0001
mg/l.
Formaldehyde
WHO Guideline value
None specified

value
18
Maximum value set
1 mg/l
Minimum value set
0.2 mg/l
Median value
0.9 mg/l
The WHO Guidelines advise that this parameter occurs in drinking-water at

concentrations well below those of health concern. It mentions a tolerable
concentration of 2.6 mg/l for ingested formaldehyde. New Zealand specified the
highest value, Peru the lowest.
77
Appendix 7 Source documentation

Albania
Law on Regulations for Hygiene-Sanitation for the Control of Quality of Drinking
Water, etc.
Decision Nr. 145, date 26.02.1998 approved by Council of Ministers.
2) Albanian Standard: STASH 3904:1997.
Argentina
Codigo Alimentario Argentino Resolution Conjunta 68/2007 y 196/2007 Modification
Australia
National Water Quality Management Strategy. Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 6
2011
Bangladesh
Water Safety Framework in Bangladesh, Ministry of Local Government, Rural
Development and Cooperatives, Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh.
October 2011.
Bolivia
Norma Boliviana NB 512 Agua Potable Requisitos 2004
Botswana
BOS 32 : 2009 Water Quality: Drinking Water
Brazil
Norma de Qualidade da Agua Para Consumo Humano 2004
Cambodia
Drinking Water Quality Standards (Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy) 2004
78
Canada
Health Canada. Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality 2010
Chile
Agua potable - Requisitos. Norma Chilena Oficial NCh409/1.Of2005
China
GB 5749-2006 Standards for drinking water quality
Taiwan Province of China
Drinking Water Quality Standards (Drinking Water Management Act) 2009
Colombia
Normas oficiales para la calidad del agua Colombia 1994
Croatia
O Zdravstvenoj Ispravnosti Vode Pie (Ministarstvo Zdravstvai Socijalne Skrbi (1593)
(Regulations on drinking water) 2008, Ministry of Social Welfare
Costa Rica
Reglamento para la Calidad del Agua Potable 2005
Cuba
Agua Potable Requisitos Sanitarios NC 93-02:1997
Dominican Republic
Decreto 42-05 Establece el Reglamento de Aguas Consumo Humano, Secretara de
Estado de Salud Pblica y Asistencia Social (SESPAS) 2005
Ecuador
Norma Tcnica Ecuatoriana NTE INEN 1 108:2011Agua Potable Requisitos
79
Egypt
Decree of Minister of Health No (108) and (301) 1995
El Salvador
Norma Salvadorea Obligatoria: NSO 13.07.02:08 "Agua.Agua Envasada (Primera
Actualizacion)"
Ethiopia
Drinking water - Specifications ES 261:2001
European Union
Council Directive 98/83/EC on the quality of water intended for human consumption
Fiji
Fiji National Drinking Water Standards 2011
Ghana
Ghana Standard GS 175-1:2009 Water Quality - Specification for Drinking Water
Guatemala
Norma Guatemalteca Obligatoria Agua Potable 2000
Honduras
REPBLICA DE HONDURAS MINISTERIO DE SALUD - Norma Tcnica para la
calidad del Agua 1995
Iceland
Reglugerd um neysluvatn 2001
India
Drinking Water Specification Second revision of IS:10500 1993
80
Indonesia
Nomor 492/Menkes/Per/IV/2010
Iraq
The Standardization's Specification No 417 2001
Israel
Public Health Regulations (Sanitary Quality of Drinking Water) 1974 Consolidated
Version 2000
Japan
Ministerial Ordinance Concerning Drinking Water Quality Standards - 2010
Jordan
JISM (286:2001-4th edition) Technical Regulations
Kenya
Kenya Bureau of Standards. Specification fir Drinking Water KS 05-459: Part 1:1996
Lao Peoples Democratic Republic
Decree for drinking water quality standard in Lao Peoples Democratic Republic and
standard for checking of water resource No 953/MOH. 2003
Lebanon
Ministry of Environment Decree No 52/1 - Standards for the Minimization of Pollution
of Air, Water and Soil 2006
Malaysia
National Standard for Drinking Water Quality 2004
81
Mexico
Modificacion a la Norma Oficial Mexicana NOM-127-SSA1-1994, Salud ambiental.
Agua para uso y consumo humano. Lmites permisibles de calidad y tratamientos a que
debe someterse el agua para su potabilizacin.
Morocco
Norm Marocaine NM 03.7.001 Qualit des eaux d'alimentation humane 2006
Mozambique
Regulamento sobre a Qualidade da gua para o Consumo Humano 2004
Nepal
National Drinking Water Quality Standards 2005
New Zealand
Drinking-water Standards for New Zealand 2005 (Revised 2008)
Nicaragua
Norma Regional de Calidad del Agua
Comite Coordinador Regional de Instituciones de Agua Potable y Saneamiento de
Centroamerica, Panama y Republica Dominicana Capre 1994
Nigeria
Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality NIS 554: 2007
Norway
FOR 2001-12-04 No 1372: Forskrift om vannforsyning og drikkevann
Oman
Omani Standard No 8/2006 Unbottled Drinking Water
82
Pakistan
National Standards for Quality Drinking Water 2008
The Occupied Palestinian territory
Palestine Standard 41 1997
Panama
Reglamento Tcnico DGNT-COPANIT 23-395-99 Agua, Agua Potable Definiciones y
Requistos Generales
Paraguay
Ley General del Marco Regulatorio y Tarifario del Servicio de Agua Potable y
Alcantarillado Sanitario Ley No 1.614/2000
Peru
Reglamento de la Calidad del Agua para Consumo Humano. DS No 031-2010-SA
Philippines
Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water 2007
The Russian Federation
II. ()
- -
(Permissible concentration (MPC) of chemicals in the water for drinking, cultural and
domestic use) Resolution of the Sanitary Inspector of the The Russian Federationn
Federation (30.04.2003 Moscow 78 2.1.5.1315-03)
Rwanda
Potable Water - Specification. Rwanda Standard RS435:2009 Rev 1:2011
Samoa
Samoa National Drinking Water Standards 2008
83
Sierra Leone
Draft Guidelines for Drinking Water Policy (Water Supply and Sanitation for Sierra
Leone, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa) 2007
Singapore
Environmental Public Health (Quality of Piped Drinking Water) Regulations 2008
South Africa
South African National Standard SANS241:2011 Drinking Water
Republic of Korea
Management of Drinking Water Act 2008
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Standards for potable water - SLS 614, 198
The Sudan
Drinking Water Standard ICS 13.060.00 2002
Suriname
Anteproyecto de Ley 2003
Syrian Arab Republic
Syrian Arab Republic - Drinking Water Quality Standards 1994
The United Republic of Tanzania
TZS 789:2003 - Drinking (potable) water - Specification
Thailand
Notification of the Ministry of Industry, No. 322, B.E. 2521 (1978), issued under the
Industrial Products Standards Act B.E. 2511 (1968)
84
Tunisia
Project of Tunisian Standard PTS 14.09 (1993)
Turkey
nsani Tketim Amali Sular Hakkinda Ynetmelik (Regulations on water for human
consumption) 2005
Uganda
Uganda Standard US 201:2008 Drinking (potable) water - Specification
Ukraine
,
(C 2.2.4-171-10) (Hygienic requirements for drinking water
intended for human consumption" (GCanPiN 2.2.4-171-10) (Hygienic requirements for
drinking water intended for human consumption) 2008
Uruguay
Agua potable - Requisitos, Instituto Uruguayo de Normas Tcnicas 833:2008
USA
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations 2009
Venezuela
Normas Sanitaias de Calidad del Agua potable 1998
Viet Nam
Nc cp sinh hot - yu cu cht lng TCVN 5502 : 2003 (Domestic supply water Quality requirements)
Zambia
ZS 190:2010, ICS 13.060.20 (Drinking Water Quality - Specification), Zambian Bureau
of Standards
85

Report on regulations and standards for drinking water quality around the world

Hochgeladen von

Dokumentinformationen

Originalbeschreibung:

Originaltitel

Copyright

Verfügbare Formate

Dieses Dokument teilen

Dokument teilen oder einbetten

Freigabeoptionen

Stufen Sie dieses Dokument als nützlich ein?

Sind diese Inhalte unangemessen?

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

Report on regulations and standards for drinking water quality around the world

Hochgeladen von

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

Report on regulations and standards for drinkingwater quality

The nature of the information on which this report is based is subject

Overview ...................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

Inorganic parameters .......................................................................... 11

Organic parameters ............................................................................ 24

Aesthetic parameters .......................................................................... 60

Radiological parameters ..................................................................... 67

Microbiological parameters ................................................................ 69

Other parameters ................................................................................ 73

Source documentation ........................................................................ 78

Data sources and methods

microbiological parameters were compared to the GL (for radiological parameters) and

Regulations currently under review

Documentation and the report

A: provisional guideline value because calculated guideline value is below the

Number of countries and territories setting a regulatory / guideline

71 (including the EU)

Number of countries and territories setting a regulatory / guideline

Number of countries and territories setting a regulatory / guideline

57 (including the EU)

Maximum value set

Minimum value set

0.01 mg/l (provisional

Number of countries and territories setting a regulatory / guideline

98 (including the EU)

Number of countries and territories setting a regulatory / guideline

Number of countries and territories setting a regulatory / guideline

Maximum value set

Minimum value set

Number of countries and territories setting a regulatory / guideline

Number of countries and territories setting a regulatory / guideline

Number of countries and territories setting a regulatory / guideline

Maximum value set

Minimum value set

Number of countries and territories setting a regulatory / guideline

69 (including the EU)

Number of countries and territories setting a regulatory / guideline

66 (including the EU)

Number of countries and territories setting a regulatory / guideline

Maximum value set

Minimum value set

0.01 mg/l (provisional

Number of countries and territories setting a regulatory / guideline

57 (including the EU)

Number of countries and territories setting a regulatory / guideline

Number of countries and territories setting a regulatory / guideline

Maximum value set

Minimum value set

Number of countries and territories setting a regulatory / guideline

97 (including the EU)

Number of countries and territories setting a regulatory / guideline

65 (including the EU)

Number of countries and territories setting a regulatory / guideline

Maximum value set

Minimum value set

0.7 mg/l (provisional D)

Number of countries and territories setting a regulatory / guideline

Number of countries and territories setting a regulatory / guideline

Number of countries and territories setting a regulatory / guideline

Maximum value set

Minimum value set

Number of countries and territories setting a regulatory / guideline