Protecting surface water for health
Rolling revision of the WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality
Protecting surface water for health is included in the plan of work of the rolling revision of the WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality.
Background
The protection of surface waters is important in regions where these are used as a source for drinking-water supply. Surface water protection is a first step in the management of a multiple-barrier approach for the protection of drinking-water. Moreover, source water quality determines the extent of treatment required.
Expected end-product(s)
Stand-alone supporting document, publication date unknown
Progress to date
The need for a text on the control of health hazards in drinking-water from various sources, including source water, has been recognized by WHO since 1996.
At the Berlin Coordinating Committee meeting (2000), the need for information concerning surface water quality, and especially regarding the occurrence of pathogens, was noted, and the development of a corresponding text was recommended. The scope and purpose of the monograph, as well as its status of preparation, were presented to the Chemical Aspects Working Group meeting in Tokyo (2002). This document is in the early phases of completion as a draft.