DRINKING-WATER QUALITY AND THE CONSUMER

Public understanding of water quality is obtained primarily from the extensive media coverage of problems. This has contributed to a distrust of the water supply industry and of specific experts in this field. It is therefore important that the basis of standards for both microbiological and chemical parameters is absoulutely clear and scientifically defensible, since these are the yardsticks against which quality and safety will be judged. They are also the reference point from which political decisions on standards must be made. It is also important that the public is given some understanding of the comparative risks involved and that a proper balance is struck between maintaining microbiological quality and achieving chemical standards, particularly for disinfection by-products. Without this, the demand for more stringent standards in a search for absolute safety will result in more costly water, while standards approach the unachievable.