Water Quality and Standards

Water is an essential material for all organisms on earth to sustain life, and a satisfactory water supply must be made available to consumers. It is required that drinking water not be contaminated by microbes or chemical substances harmful to human health. Pathogenic bacteria, viruses and protozoa in drinking water cause waterborne infectious diseases. The pollution source, pathogenicity, and characteristics of the main microbes that damage human health are described individually. Regarding chemical pollutions, chemical contaminants may be naturally occurring, industrial or agricultural use chemicals that cause adverse health effects in humans. The chemical pollution source, characteristics and effects on humans are described individually. Water quality guidelines and standards of drinking water are necessary to prevent damage to humans by waterborne pathogens and chemicals.