Global importance
Drinking water is our most valuable food. Its cleanliness is crucial for our health and access to hygienic drinking water is a fundamental human right. However, we should by no means assume that drinkable water is available as a matter of course. On the contrary, it is something to which we should pay significant attention. We need to keep in mind that it requires a great deal of scientific, technological, regulatory and operational effort ensure that people have access to high-quality water.
We should't assume that drinking water is available as a matter of course.
World Health Organization (WHO) about drinking water
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). 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. It is very important, that the potential health consequences of microbial contamination are permanently controlled and never be compromised.
A preventive integrated management approach with collaboration of all relevant agencies is the preferred approach to ensuring drinking water safety. Drinking water suppliers are at all times responsible 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).
European Union about drinking water
EU Directive on the quality of water intended for human consumption (January 2021)
In December 2020, the European Parliament formally adopted the revised version of the European Drinking Water Directive, thus introducing new minimum requirements for the quality of potable water. The revised version of the Drinking Water Directive entered into force at the start of January 2021 with an implementation period of two years.
One key feature of the revised directive is the stricter monitoring procedures for protecting potable water as a resource. New substances will be placed on what is called the watch list and around 35 more substances have been identified for further investigation. As well as microplastics, pharmaceutical products and other endocrine disruptors are also included. The aim of the watch list is to identify potential risks to potable water at an early stage and to maintain drinking water quality by modifying the treatment process.
In addition, the European citizens' initiative on the right to water identified the problem that some people do not have access to water intended for human consumption although this is a commitment according to Sustainable Development Goal 6 of the UN Agenda 2030.
Safe water intended for human consumption needs to lack any harmful microorganisms and substances. Simultaneously, it has to contain certain amounts of natural minerals and essential elements (e.g. calcium and magnesium). This is because in the long-term, consuming demineralized water or water with only few essential elements might compromise human health. Furthermore, a certain amount of these minerals ensures the water is neither aggressive nor corrosive and improves its taste.
Water Safety Plan (WSP)
The most effective means of consistently ensuring the safety of drinking water supplies is the use of a comprehensive risk assessment and risk management approach incorporated in a Water Safety Plan (WSP). It applies to all steps of a water supply including the distribution system. Its usual to develop an integrated WSP applying to all components, from catchment through treatment and distribution. A first guide on how to achieve and verify these outcomes is presented by modules identified in the Water Safety Plan Manual.
| European Drinking Water: deals with the supply of products and materials which are used in the drinking water application. |
| United Nations - Sustainable Development Goals: they deal with the global challenges, e.g. with the access to safe drinking water. |
| Global Water Forum: it sensitizes for water supply problems and promotes water management on a political and social level. |
Hygiene in potable water installations in Europe
The interrelationships between water quality, health and the well-being of users require that all parties involved have a specific responsibility for aspects of hygiene in specifying the requirements for potable water installations in buildings.
This guidebook gives an overview about the fundamentals of hygiene and water quality and contains the main information on the design, installation, start-up, use, operation and maintenance of potable water installations in buildings. It gives also suggestions for the practical work (maintenance, effects on microbiology, potential causes and measures in practical work, checklists). It is a useful guide for hygienic planning of water piping systems inside buildings. All requirements described in this guidebook apply equally to existing buildings, particularly in the case of conversions, extensions and demolition.
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