Guidelines for drinking water quality standards in developing countries

Abstract

[Presentation] This Guide is a contribution of the Pan American Health Organization, Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), to aid developing countries in their preparation of national drinking water quality standards (DWQS). The structure of the document is that of a pyramid, the base being the general principles and recommendations, which represents the foundation of the Guide. The second level explains the methodology suggested for developing a standard. The third level focuses on each of the components or “sections” of the standard and describes their most important features and how to apply them. The fourth level presents a case study to help visualize the use of the Guide. Just or unjust, reality shows that developed and developing countries, with their differences in opportunities and resources, on occasions, need to take different paths. When producing a DWQS for developing countries, if the approach is to try and emulate rich countries, the result will often be failure. Therefore, drinking water quality standards that are unrealistic are in fact useless tools. In light of this, a different approach must be taken when dealing with developing countries. Using the same principles as those of appropriate technology , it is possible to produce tools and mechanisms that can bring nearly equal and, in some cases, equal benefits to those of higher technologies. Realism and development by stages is an approach that will allow the start of a realistic process which, through time and proper management, should and could achieve the same goals developed countries have. In order to be practical, this Guide is simple, direct, and tries to avoid as much as possible overly detailed specifications or technicalities. It should be an appropriate aid to technical staff and decision-makers confronted with the challenge of developing a DWQS.