The revision of the national standards for drinking water quality is an important, rigorous and delicate endeavor. The paper introduced the revision of this standard, emphasizing the revision principle, overall technical considerations, and revision contents. Recommendations were also proposed for the implementation of this standard.
Humans ; Drinking Water ; Water Quality ; Reference Standards ; China ; Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis* ; Water Supply

The establishment of limit values for standards of drinking water quality is an important and complex process. This study systematically introduced the methodology of the establishment of standard limit values for drinking water quality and elaborated on the workflow of setting limit values of water quality indicators, principles and methods of selecting water quality indicators, derivation of safety reference values, and establishment of limit values. It also aimed to provide reference and support for the future revision of relevant standards.
Humans ; Water Supply ; Drinking Water ; Reference Standards ; Water Quality ; Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis*

A study to determine the validity and predictive value of the hydrogen sulphide screening test for water quality compared to a standard multiple-tube technique test was undertaken. The hydrogen sulphide test was found to be highly sensitive and specific with a high predictive value. It is recommended as a screening test for water quality in developing countries where resources are limited. It will be especially useful in monitoring improvement in rural water supplies.
Evaluation Studies as Topic ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; Papua New Guinea ; Water Supply - analysis ; Water Supply - standards

Through the hemodialysis machine and water treatment systems maintenance, the result of complications caused by dialysis can be eliminated. It also of extended the life of hemodialysis machines and improve the quality of dialysis.
Equipment Failure ; Equipment and Supplies ; standards ; Humans ; Maintenance ; Renal Dialysis ; adverse effects ; instrumentation ; Water Supply ; standards

Humans ; Humidity ; adverse effects ; standards ; Incubators, Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Water Supply ; standards

The water quality simulatin of the Han River was performed by computer-aided design methods using interactive computer graphic routine. The model used to simulate water quality in the Han River was based upon the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's QUAL-II program. The constituents which were simulated include temperature, conservative substances, coliform bacteria, BOD and DO. Discretization of the model over space was done using the Galerkin finite element method. Data input requirements for the model included rate constants, meteorological data, and headwater, point and non-point source concentrations. The point and non-point source waste loadings were assumed to be constant over time. Several options for dealing with simulation results were available. These included listings or graphs showing the concentration values by constituent, either for all sites at one point in time, or for one site at all times. By merging spatial and temporal data, a three-dimensional surface of concentration as a function of site location and time of day could be plotted for any constituent. A pictoral display of water quality throuthout the Han River, using various colors to indicate different concentrations of constituents or degrees of temperature, also is possible. Water quality profiles of the Han River were developed using 1981 waste loadings. These results were compared to observed data in order to determine the best values for model parameters. Calibration of the model was aided by the interactive use of statistical tests, including linear regression analysis and t-tests of two means. Using estimates of population and industrial growth for the Han River Basin, simulations for expected 1986 and 1991 conditions were undertaken. Results indicate that without increased investments in wastewater treatment facilities and associated collection systems, most of the river will contain BOD concentratins which greatly exceed the maximum 6 ppm allowed. In addition, the numbber of coliform bacteria will be substantially more than the maximum permitted number, 10,000 MPN/100 ml, for water supply sources requiring highest levels of treatment. These results also suggest where monitoring statins should be established, and where proper management practices will have the greatest impact on controlling the extent of river pollution resulting from the discharge of waste effuent from urban communities, industries, and agricultural land along the Han River.
Computers ; Data Display ; Korea ; Models, Theoretical ; Water Pollution/analysis ; Water Supply/standards*

OBJECTIVESThe main objective of the present article is to assess and evaluate the characteristics of the Nile water system, and identify the major sources of pollution and its environmental and health consequences. The article is also aimed to highlight the importance of water management via re-use and recycle of treated effluents for industrial purpose and for cultivation of desert land.

METHODAn intensive effort was made by the authors to collect, assess and compile the available data about the River Nile. Physico-chemical analyses were conducted to check the validity of the collected data. For the determination of micro-pollutants, Gas Chromatography (GC) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) were used. Heavy metals were also determined to investigate the level of industrial pollution in the river system.

RESULTSThe available data revealed that the river receives a large quantity of industrial, agriculture and domestic wastewater. It is worth mentioning that the river is still able to recover in virtually all the locations, with very little exception. This is due to the high dilution ratio. The collected data confirmed the presence of high concentrations of chromium and manganese in all sediment samples. The residues of organo-chlorine insecticides were detected in virtually all locations. However, the levels of such residues are usually below the limit set by the WHO for use as drinking water. The most polluted lakes are Lake Maryut and Lake Manzala. Groundwater pollution is closely related to adjacent (polluted) surface waters. High concentrations of nutrients, E. coli, sulfur, heavy metals, etc. have been observed in the shallow groundwater, largely surpassing WHO standards for drinking water use.

CONCLUSIONA regular and continuous monitoring scheme shall be developed for the River Nile system. The environmental law shall be enforced to prohibit the discharge of wastewater (agricultural, domestic or industrial) to River Nile system.

Egypt ; Environmental Monitoring ; Geologic Sediments ; chemistry ; Rivers ; chemistry ; Water Pollutants, Chemical ; analysis ; Water Supply ; standards

OBJECTIVETo assess the health safety of copper, steel and plastic water pipes by field water quality investigations.

METHODSFour consumers were randomly selected for each type of water pipes. Two consumers of every type of the water pipes had used the water pipes for more than 1 year and the other 2 consumers had used the water pipes for less than 3 months. The terminal volume of tap water in copper and steel water pipes should be not less than 0.1 liter, whereas that in plastic water pipes should be not less than 1 liter.

RESULTSThe mean values of the experimental results in the second field water quality investigation of the copper and steel water pipes met the Sanitary Standards for Drinking Water Quality. The items of water sample of the plastic water pipes met the requirements of the Sanitary Standards for Drinking Water Quality.

CONCLUSIONCopper, steel, and plastic pipes can be used as drinking water pipes.

China ; Copper ; analysis ; Humans ; Manufactured Materials ; standards ; Materials Testing ; Plastics ; analysis ; Public Health ; Quality Control ; Steel ; analysis ; Water ; chemistry ; Water Pollutants ; analysis ; Water Supply ; standards

Consumer Product Safety ; Drinking Water ; standards ; Equipment Safety ; Food Safety ; Public Health ; instrumentation ; methods ; Safety Management ; Water Supply

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence of kanamycin (kan) and ampicillin (amp) resistant bacteria in public drinking water.

METHODSBacteria containing kan and amp resistant genes were amplified by PCR and further characterized by colony hybridization and transformation studies. The genus of kan and amp resistant bacteria was determined with standard methods.

RESULTSAmong the 625 drinking water samples, 400 contained kan and amp resistant bacteria and the percentage was 42.5% and 57.5%, respectively, which was further confirmed by the amplification of a 810 bp kan resistant gene and a 850 bp amp resistant gene. Of the 170 kan resistant bacteria, 90 were Gram negative and 80 were Gram positive. Of the 230 amp resistant bacteria, 160 were Gram negative while 70 were Gram positive. Salmonella, Shigella, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and E.coli were detected as 13%, 11%, 17%, 30%, and 29%, respectively. Bacterial strain DH5alpha transformed with plasmids isolated from kan and amp resistant bacteria confirmed that the antibiotic resistant genes were mediated by plasmids.

CONCLUSIONDrinking water is contaminated with kan and amp resistant bacteria due to poor sanitary conditions.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Bacteria ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Pakistan ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Water Microbiology ; standards ; Water Supply ; standards