UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY(USEPA)

1.The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an independent executive agency of the United States Federal Govt. tasked with environmental
protection matters.Establshment of EPA was proposed by President Richard Nixon on July 9, 1970 & it began its work on Dec 2,1970.

2. EPA has its headquarters in Washington D.C., regional offices for each of the agency's ten regions and 27 laboratories. The agency is led by
its administrator, who is appointed by the president and approved by the Senate.

3. The agency conducts environmental assessment, research, and education. It has the responsibility of maintaining and enforcing national
standards under a variety of environmental laws, in consultation with state, tribal, and local governments. It delegates some permitting,
monitoring, and enforcement responsibility to U.S States and the federally recognized tribes. EPA enforcement powers include fines, sanctions,
and other measures. The agency also works with industries and all levels of government in a wide variety of voluntary pollution prevention
programs and energy conservation efforts.
 SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT(SDWA)
1.The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) was originally passed by Congress in 1974 to protect public health by regulating the nation’s public
drinking water supply.

2.SDWA authorizes the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) to set national health-based standards for drinking water to
protect against both naturally-occurring and man-made contaminants that may be found in drinking water. US EPA, states, and water systems
then work together to make sure that these standards are met.

3.There are a number of threats to drinking water: improperly disposed of chemicals; animal wastes; pesticides; human threats; wastes injected
underground; and naturally-occurring substances can all contaminate drinking water.

4.Originally, SDWA focused primarily on treatment as the means of providing safe drinking water at the tap.The law was amended in 1986 and
1996 & enforced actions protecting drinking water and its sources—rivers, lakes, reservoirs, springs, and ground water wells.

5.SDWA applies to every public water system in the United States. The responsibility for making sure these public water systems provide safe
drinking water is divided among USEPA, states, tribes, water systems, and the public. SDWA provides a framework in which these parties work
together to protect this valuable resource.
 National primary drinking water regulations(NPDWR)

1.National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR) are legally enforceable primary standards and treatment techniques set by USEPA that apply to
public water systems.

2.Primary standards and treatment techniques are enforced to protect public health by limiting the levels of contaminants in drinking water.These contaminats

may be microorganisms,disinfectants,disinfection byproducts,inorganic chemicals,organic chemicals,Radionuclides.

3.The standard defines a permitted "maximum contaminant level" (MCL) or “treatment technique”(TT) requirements for various minerals,
chemicals and other pollutants that has been arrived at by weighing health risks, expected exposure, technical feasibility of treatment, and other

cost-benefit analysis. The MCL is the maximum permissible level of a contaminant in water which is delivered to any user of a public water
system. A treatment technique is a drinking water treatment requirement established in lieu of an MCL, typically used when setting an MCL
would be too difficult or when compliance with an MCL would be too costly.Lets take a close look at list of contaminants bifuricated into
microorganisms,disinfectants,byproducts,inorganic chemicals,organic chemicals & radionuclides & their maximum concentration permissible for
safe drinking water.
 National primary drinking water regulations(NPDWR)
Microorganisms
Contaminant MCL((mg/L)2 Potential Health Effects from Sources of Contaminant in Drinking Water
Long-Term Exposure Above
the MCL 
Cryptosporidium NA Gastrointestinal illness (such as Human and animal fecal waste
diarrhea, vomiting, and cramps)
Turbidity NA Higher turbidity levels are often Soil Runoff
associated with higher levels of
disease-causing microorganisms
such as viruses, parasites and
some bacteria. These organisms
can cause symptoms such as
nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and
associated headaches.
Viruses NA Gastrointestinal illness (such as Human and animal fecal waste
diarrhea, vomiting, and cramps)
Legionella Legionnaire's Disease, a type of Found naturally in water; multiplies in heating systems
pneumonia

Cryptosporidium Gastrointestinal illness (such as Human and animal fecal waste

diarrhea, vomiting, and cramps)
 National primary drinking water regulations(NPDWR)
Disinfection Byproducts & Disinfectants

Contaminant MCL((mg/ Potential Health Effects from Long- Sources of Contaminant in Drinking Water
L)2 Term Exposure Above the MCL 
Chlorite 1 Anemia infants and young children: Byproduct of drinking water disinfection
nervous system effects
Bromate 0.010 Increased risk of cancer Byproduct of drinking water disinfection

Haloacetic Acids 0.060 Increased risk of cancer Byproduct of drinking water disinfection

Total > 0.080 Liver, kidney or central nervous system Byproduct of drinking water disinfection
Trihalomethanes problems; increased risk of cancer
Chlorine(Disinfect MRDL=4.0 Eye/nose irritation; stomach discomfort Water additive used to control microbes
ant)

Chlorine di MRDL=0.8 Anemia; infants and young children: Water additive used to control microbes
oxide(Disinfectant nervous system effects
)
Chlorine Dioxide MRDL-0.8 Anemia; infants and young children: Water additive used to control microbes
nervous system effects
 National primary drinking water regulations(NPDWR)
Inorganic Chemicals

Contaminant MCL((mg/ Potential Health Effects from Sources of Contaminant in Drinking Water
L)2 Long-Term Exposure Above the
MCL 
Arsenic 0.010 Skin damage or problems with Erosion of natural deposits; runoff from orchards, runoff from glass and
circulatory systems, and may have electronics production wastes
increased risk of getting cancer
Cadmium 0.005 Kidney damage Corrosion of galvanized pipes; erosion of natural deposits; discharge
from metal refineries; runoff from waste batteries and paints
Cyanide 0.2 Nerve damage or thyroid Discharge from steel/metal factories; discharge from plastic and fertilizer
problems factories
Lead 0.015 Infants and children: Delays in Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits
physical or mental development;
children could show slight deficits
in attention span and learning
abilities
Adults: Kidney problems; high
blood pressure

Chromium 0.1 Allergic dermatitis Discharge from steel and pulp mills; erosion of natural deposits
 National primary drinking water regulations(NPDWR)
Organic Chemicals

Contaminant MCL((mg Potential Health Effects Sources of Contaminant in Drinking Water

/L)2 from Long-Term Exposure
Above the MCL 
Benzene 0.005 Anemia; decrease in blood Discharge from factories; leaching from gas storage tanks and landfills
platelets; increased risk of
cancer
Carbon 0.005 Liver problems; increased risk Discharge from chemical plants and other industrial activities
Tetrachloride of cancer
Chlorobenzene 0.1 Liver or kidney problems Discharge from chemical and agricultural chemical factories

Ethylbenzene 0.7 Liver or kidneys problems Discharge from petroleum refineries

Toluene 1 Nervous system, kidney, or Discharge from petroleum factories

liver problems
Xylenes(total) 10 Nervous system damage Discharge from petroleum factories; discharge from chemical factories

Vinyl Chloride 0.002 Increased risk of cancer Leaching from PVC pipes; discharge from plastic factories
 National primary drinking water regulations(NPDWR)
Radionuclides

Contaminant MCL((mg Potential Health Effects from Long-Term Sources of Contaminant in Drinking Water
/L) Exposure Above the MCL 

Radium 226 and 5 pCi/L Increased risk of cancer Erosion of natural deposits
Radium 228
(combined)
Uranium 30 ug/L Increased risk of cancer, kidney toxicity Erosion of natural deposits
 NATIONAL SECONDARY DRINKING WATER REGULATION(NSDWR)

National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations are non-enforceable guidelines regarding contaminants that may cause cosmetic effects (such
as skin or tooth discoloration) or aesthetic effects (such as taste, odor, or color) in drinking water. EPA recommends secondary standards to
water systems but does not require systems to comply.Below is list of secondary contaminants & their maximum permissible level in drinking
water.
Contaminant Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level

Alumunium 0.05 to 0.2 mg/L

Chloride 250 mg/L
Color 15 (color units)
Copper 1.0 mg/L
Fluoride 2.0 mg/L
Foaming Agents 0.5 mg/L
Iron 0.3 mg/L
Manganese 0.05 mg/L
TDS 500 mg/L
pH 6.5-8.5
Zinc 5 mg/L
Sulfate 250 mg/L
 DRINKING WATER GUIDELINES AS PER WHO
WHO produces international norms on water quality and human health in the form of guidelines that are used as the basis for regulation and
standard setting, in developing and developed countries worldwide. The quality of drinking water is a powerful environmental determinant of
health. Assurance of drinking water safety is a foundation for the prevention and control of waterborne diseases. The guidelines developed by
WHO are prepared through a vast global consultative process involving WHO member states (India is the member state), national authorities and
international agencies, in consultation with the WHO Expert Advisory Panel.

Below is the list of contaminants along with their maximum contaminat level determined by WHO
Contaminant Standard Limits as Contaminant Standard Contaminant
per WHO(mg/L) Limits as per
WHO(mg/L)

Arsenic 0.01 Chlorine 5 Fluoride 1.5

Benzene 0.01 Chloroform 0.3 Lead 0.01
Bromate 0.01 Chromium 0.05 Nitrate 50
Cadmium 0.003 Copper 2 Nitrite 3
Carbon 0.004 Cyanide 0.07 pH No healthbased guideline value
Tetrachloride
Chlorate 0.7 Ethylbenzene 0.3 Sulphate No healthbased guideline value
 DRINKING WATER GUIDELINES AS PER WHO
Contaminant Standard Limits as per WHO(mg/L)

Toluene 0.7

TDS No healthbased guideline value proposed

Uranium 0.015

Tetrachloroethylene 0.003
Vinyl chloride 0.0003
Xylenes-total 0.5

Nickel 0.07
Nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) 0.2
Manganese 0.4

Mercury 0.006

Iron No health-based guideline value is proposed

Hexachlorobutadiene 0.0006
 DRINKING WATER STANDARD AS PER BIS 10500:2012

After checking the maximum contamination level of various contaminants permissible in drinking water by USEPA ,let us check below the
guidelines set by Bureau of Indian Standards 10500:2012 for portable drinking water.

1.Physical Parameters

Characteristic Acceptable limit Permissible limit

Color 5 15
pH 6.6-8.5 No relaxation
Turbidity(NTU) 1 5
TDS 500 2000

2. General Parameters Concerning Substances Undesirable in Excessive Amounts

Characteristic Acceptable Limit(mg/l) Permissible (mg/l)

Calcium 75 200
Chloride 250 1000
Copper 0.05 1.5
Fluoride 1 1.5
 DRINKING WATER STANDARD AS PER BIS 10500:2012

Characteristic Acceptable limit(mg/l) Permissible limit(mg/l)

Iron 0.3 No relaxation

Nitrate 45 No relaxation
Sulphate 200 400
Sulphide 0.05 No relaxation

Zinc 5 15

3. Parameters Concerning Toxic Substances

Characteristic Acceptable Limit(mg/l) Permissible (mg/l)

Cyanide 0.05 No relaxation
Lead 0.01 No relaxation
Arsenic 0.01 0.05
Chloroform 0.2 No relaxation
 DRINKING WATER STANDARD AS PER BIS 10500:2012

4. Parameters Concerning Radioactive Substances

Characteristic Acceptable limit(mg/l) Permissible limit(mg/l)

Alpha emitters(bq/l) 0.1 No relaxation

Beta emitters(bq/l) 1 No relaxation

5. Pesticide Residues Limits

Pesticide Limit(µg/l)

Alachlor 20
Alpha HCH 0.01
Beta HCH 0.04
Delta HCH 0.04
Butachlor 125
Atrazine 2
Gamma HCH 2
DDT 1
 BIS 14543:2004(Standard for Packaged Drinking Water

Apart from Drinking water BIS has also set its standards for Packaged Drinking water(other than Packaged Natural Mineral Water).Let us check the

requirements below one by one.

1.General Requirements

a.Water shall be derived from surface water or civic water supply or underground water or sea water or any other consistent source of water which may
be subjected to herein under specified treatments, namely, decantation, filtration, combination filtration, aerations, filtration with membrane filter depth
filter, cartridge filter, activated carbon filtration, demineralization, remineralization, reverse osmosis and packed after disinfecting the water to a level
that shall not lead to any harmful effect in the drinking water by means of chemical agents or physical methods to reduce the number of
microorganisms to a level below scientifically accepted level for food safety or its suitability: Provided that sea water, before being subjected to the

above treatments, shall be subjected to desalination and related processes .

b. It shall be filled in sealed containers of various compositions, forms and capacities that are suitable for direct consumption without further

treatment. In case remineralization is a part of the treatment process, the ingredients used shall conform to food grade/pharma grade quality.
 BIS 14543:2004(Standard for Packaged Drinking Water

2.Microbiological Requirements

Water should be free from E.Coli,Coliform,Faecal streptococci and Staphylococcus aureus, Sulphite reducing anaerobes,Pseudomonas
aeruginosa,yeast & mould, Salmonella and Shigella, Vibrio cholera and V. parahaemolyticus,aerobic microbial count should not exceed 100/ml at
20 to 22C in 72 h and 20/ ml at 37C ± 1oC In 24 h.

3. Packaged drinking water shall be clear without any sediments, suspended particles and extraneous matter

4. Organoleptic & physical parameters

Characteristic Requirement
Color 2
Turbidity(NTU) 2
TDS(mg/l) 500
pH 6-8.5
 BIS 14543:2004(Standard for Packaged Drinking Water

5.General Parameters Concerning Substances Undesirable in Excessive Amounts

Characteristic Requirement(mg/l)

Barium 0.7
Copper 0.05
Iron 0.1
Calcium 75
Magnesium 30

6.Parameters Concerning Toxic Substance

Characteristic Requirement(mg/l)

Mercury 0.001

Cadmium 0.003

Lead 0.01
 BIS 14543:2004(Standard for Packaged Drinking Water

7. Parameters Concerning Radio-Active Residues

Characteristic Requirement(Bq/l)
Alpha Emitters 0.1
Beta Emitters 1
THANK YOU