Water safety and quality
Water safety and quality are fundamental to human development and well-being. Providing access to safe water is one of the most effective instruments in promoting health and reducing poverty.
As the international authority on public health and water quality, WHO leads global efforts to prevent transmission of waterborne disease. This is achieved by promoting health-based regulations to governments and working with partners to promote effective risk management practices to water suppliers, communities and households.
Highlights
Management of cyanobacteria in drinking-water supplies: information for regulators...
Guidelines for drinking-water quality: small water supplies
Small drinking-water supplies commonly experience operational, managerial, technical and resourcing challenges that impact their ability to deliver safe...
Other relevant publications
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Sanitary inspection packages – a supporting tool for the Guidelines for drinking water quality: small...
A sanitary inspection is a simple, on-site evaluation (traditionally using a checklist) to help identify and support the management of priority risk factors...
Water safety plan manual: step-by-step risk management for drinking-water suppliers, second edition
This Water safety plan manual provides practical guidance to support development and implementation of water safety planning in accordance with the principles...
State of the world's drinking water: An urgent call to action to accelerate progress on ensuring safe...
This report, presents the data on the links between water, health and development and the status of drinking water, with actionable recommendations to...
Lead is a priority chemical hazard that should be included in national drinking-water quality standards and monitored as part of drinking-water quality...
Guidelines for drinking-water quality: fourth edition incorporating the first and second addenda
The fourth edition incorporating the first and second addenda, of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Guidelines for drinking-water quality (GDWQ)...
Domestic water quantity, service level and health
Sufficient quantities of water for household use, including for drinking, food preparation and hygiene, are needed to protect public health and for...
Microplastics in drinking-water
Studies reporting the presence of microplastics in treated tap and bottled water have raised questions and concerns about the impact that microplastics...
The lack of access to safe drinking-water is felt disproportionately by those who are disadvantaged socially, economically, demographically or geographically,...
Management of radioactivity in drinking-water
Chapter 9 of the WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality (GDWQ) provides guidance related to radiological aspects of drinking-water. Management...
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