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Journal of Water and Health Vol 10 No 2 pp 295–310 © IWA Publishing 2012 doi:10.2166/wh.2012.087 Drinking water standards in South American countries: convergences and divergencesVívian Gemiliano Pinto, Léo Heller and Rafael Kopschitz Xavier BastosInstituto Federal de Educação Ciência e Tecnologia do Sudeste de Minas Gerais, Rua Bernardo Mascarenhas, 1283 – Bairro Fábrica, 36080-001 – Juiz de Fora – Minas Gerais, Brazil E-mail: viviangemiliano@gmail.comDepartment of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, 6627 – Belo Horizonte – Minas Gerais, Brazil Department of Civil Engineering, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. P.H. Rolfs s/n – Centro, CEP.:36571-000 – Viçosa – Minas Gerais, Brazil ABSTRACT In this paper we present a comparative assessment of drinking-water standards from almost all South American countries, using the USA and the Canadian standards and the World Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines as references. Similarities and discrepancies between standards/guidelines were identified through descriptive analyses and, in the case of chemical standards, clustering techniques. In general, one or another of the four consecutive editions of the WHO Guidelines were shown to be quite influential in setting drinking-water standards in the region, but not so much the USA and the Canadian standards. Considerable discrepancies between South American drinking-water standards were found, mainly with respect to chemical substances. Questions are raised about their scientific basis and/or the practicalities for their enforcement. In conclusion, the paper highlights that many drinking-water regulations in South America need updating, taking on the approach of health-based targets in setting these standards, as well as that of a broader risk-based preventive management in the entire supply system to assure water safety. Keywords: drinking-water; regulation; South America; standards eProduct: Buy this article for £24.00 (IWA MEMBER PRICE: £18.00) All prices include VAT. For customers where VAT should not be applied, the VAT amount will be removed upon payment |
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