General notes

Access to safe drinking-water is essential to health, a basic human right and a component of effective policy for health protection. Diseases related to contamination of drinking-water constitute a major burden on human health. Interventions to improve the quality of drinking-water provide significant benefits to health.

In Stockholm, in 1999, it was agreed that future guidelines for drinking-water, wastewater and recreational water should integrate assessment of risk, risk management options and exposure control elements within a single framework with embedded quality targets (see WHO guidelines for drinking-water quality Water quality - Guidelines, standards and health; Annex 1). Following this approach, the assessment of risk is not a goal in its own right, but rather a basis for decision-making. The framework for safe drinking-water and the recommended approach for regulations, policies and programmes are based on this overall framework, known as the Stockholm Framework.

The great majority of evident water-related health problems are the result of microbial (bacterial, viral, protozoan or other biological) contamination. Nevertheless, an appreciable number of serious health concerns may occur as a result of the chemical contamination of drinking-water.
The potential health consequences of microbial contamination are such that its control must always be of paramount importance and must never be compromised. 

A preventive integrated management approach with collaboration from all relevant agencies is the preferred approach to ensuring drinking-water safety.
Drinking-water suppliers are responsible at all times for the quality and safety of the water that they produce.
Surveillance of drinking-water quality can be defined as “the continuous and vigilant public health assessment and review of the safety and acceptability of drinking-water supplies” (WHO, 1976). 

Access to safe drinking-water is essential to health, a basic human right and a component of effective policy for health protection.

WHO Guideline

http://www.who.int/topics/water/en/

WHO Guideline

http://www.who.int/topics/drinking_water/en/

WHO Guideline

http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/water-quality/en/