Drinking Water Quality Requirements: IS 10500 vs WHO Standards

Access to clean and safe drinking water is a fundamental human right and a critical component of public health. To ensure the safety and quality of drinking water, various standards and guidelines have been established globally. In India, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has set the IS 10500:2012 guidelines, while the World Health Organization (WHO) provides international guidelines for drinking water quality. These standards outline the permissible limits for various physical, chemical, and microbiological parameters to ensure that water is safe for consumption. This article compares the key parameters of drinking water quality as per IS 10500:2012 and WHO standards, highlighting their similarities and differences. Understanding these guidelines helps in assessing water quality and ensuring that the water we consume meets the necessary safety standards.

Here’s a comparison of the key parameters as per IS 10500:2012 and WHO standards:

Key Differences and Similarities

pH and Turbidity: Both standards agree on the acceptable pH range. However, WHO allows a higher maximum turbidity level.
TDS and Hardness: WHO has a higher permissible limit for TDS. IS 10500:2012 specifies a limit for hardness, while WHO does not.
Toxic Substances: Both standards are aligned on the limits for arsenic, lead, cadmium, and chromium. WHO has a slightly higher permissible limit for mercury.
Microbiological Parameters: Both standards require drinking water to be free from total coliforms and E. coli.

Conclusion

Both IS 10500:2012 and WHO guidelines aim to ensure the safety and quality of drinking water. While there are some differences in the permissible limits for certain parameters, both sets of standards provide a comprehensive framework for assessing and maintaining water quality.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the full documents of IS 10500:2012 and the WHO Guidelines.

If you have any more questions or need further details, feel free to ask!

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