Comparison Of Drinking Water Quality Standard

1)

Parameter WHO European UK USA China SriLankan

Value Standard Standards Standards Standards Standards
PH 6.5 to 8.5 6.5 to 8.5 6.5 to 8.5 6.5 to 8.5 6.5 to 8.5 6.5 to 8.5

The PH means the intensity of acidity or alkalinity of a sample, actually the

concentration of hydrogen ions present. PH isn’t a quality that falls under EPA
regulation because it’s considered an aesthetic quality of water. However, the
agency recommends that municipal drinking water suppliers keep their water
supply at a pH of 6.5 to 8.5.However we can see above all considerable countries
and associations published there PH standards as 6.5 to 8.5.

2)

Parameter WHO European UK USA China SriLankan

Value Standard Standards Standards Standards Standards
Arsenic 10μg/l 10μg/l 10μg/l 10μg/l 70μg/l 0.05μg/l

Arsenic may be present in water from hot springs or in the wastes from softie
industries. The maximum' limit set by the SLSI is 0.05 μg/l. But according to
standards presented by other countries and WHO set the Arsenic standard of
drinking water as 10μg/l .In China that value is 70μg/l. However the SLSI arsenic
standard is less than the WHO standards. That value in China considerably higher
than the WHO standards.
3)
Parameter WHO European UK USA China SriLankan
Value Standard Standards Standards Standards Standards
Hardness(CaCO3) 0– 0– 0– 0– 0–
75 mg/L 75 mg/L 75 mg/L 75 mg/L 75 mg/L 0–75 mg/L
= soft = soft = soft = soft = soft = soft

Evidence of hardness in water can easily be detected in the field. Water is hard if
it requires m c h soap to produce a lather and soft if it lathers freely. Hardness
is due to salts of calcium and magnesium, and is expressed in mg/L of CaCO3.
Hardness is not dangerous to health. Therefore WHO presented some large value
for this parameter as standard.

4)
Parameter WHO European UK USA China SriLankan
Value Standard Standards Standards Standards Standards
Copper 2.0 mg/l 2.0 mg/l 2.0 mg/l 1.0 mg/l 1.0 mg/l 1.5 mg/l

Except for traces, copper salts do not occur in natural waters. Their presence in
potable water is attributable to corrosive action on piping, 1 Concentrations large
enough to be significant from a health standpoint would render water supplies
completely unpalatable. However, there is little danger of copper poisoning from
this source. Tastes in the water supply will occur with concentrations of 3 to
5mg/L. Concentrations of 0.5 mg/L or less in some soft waters will cause staining
of porcelain. The SLSI specifies a limit of 1.5 mg/L. However according to WHO
standards present their value as 2.0. UK and China present their standard as 1.0.
5)
Parameter WHO Value European UK USA China SriLankan
Standard Standards Standards Standards Standards
Zinc 5.0 mg/l 5.0 mg/l 5.0 mg/l 1.5 mg/l
5.00 mg/L 5.00 mg/L

Zinc has been found zinc mining areas. Limited to amounts galvanized piping,
However, zinc content is normally incidental to corrosion of brass and those
amounts are not of practical the corrosion is sufficient to cause metallic taste in
water. The limit set by the SLSI is 15mg/L. However 5mg/L may cause a
disagreeable taste and aid for corrosion However in WHO standards keep the
standard for zinc in 5.0.

6)
Parameter WHO European UK USA China SriLankan
Value Standard Standards Standards Standards Standards
Fluoride 1.5 mg/l 4 mg/l 4.0 mg/l 1.0 mg/l 1.5 mg/l
1.5
mg/l l

Fluoride occurs naturally in ground waters in certain areas of Sri Lanka. The
element fluorine". may be found in volcanic gases, fluorite or fluorspar in
sedimentary rocks, or triolite in igneous rocks.. Disfigurement or mottling of teeth
occurs when the fluoride content of a potable water exceeds approximately 1.5
mg/L and becomes pronounced when the content exceeds 3 to 6 mg/L. However,
fluoride in the range of 0.6 to 1.5 mg/L is beneficial in prevention of tooth decay
in children, and is often added to water supplies when naturally absent. Although
WHO keeps the standard same as Srilanka countries Like UK and USA keeps that
value at 4.0.

7)
Parameter WHO European UK USA China SriLankan
Value Standard Standards Standards Standards Standards
Lead 10 μg/l 10 μg/l 10 μg/l 15 μg/l 10 μg/l 0.5 mg/l
Lead is not present in natural waters and would not be present if not for direct
contamination. Lead contamination results when corrosive waters are allowed to
stand for a length of time in lead piping or to come in contact with lead bearing
jointing compounds, and the problem is considered limited. Lead poisoning
usually results from the cumulative toxic effect of lead after protracted
consumption of water containing significant concentrations, rather than from
occasional presence of concentrate ions in excess of 0. 1 mg/L.
The limit set by SSI is 0,5 mg/L.

8)
Parameter WHO European UK USA China SriLankan
Value Standard Standards Standards Standards Standards
Electrical 2500 µS
Conductivity cm-1 at
20 °C

9)
Parameter WHO European UK USA China SriLankan
Value Standard Standards Standards Standards Standards
Vinyl 0,50 µg/l
chloride

10)
Parameter WHO European UK USA China SriLankan
Value Standard Standards Standards Standards Standards
chloride 250 mg/l

European Union only described the standards for chlorides,venylchlorides and

electricity conductivity of drinking water.They checked these three as parameters.