Short-term fluctuations in levels of microbial contaminants
Rolling revision of the WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality
Short-term fluctuations in levels of microbial contaminants are included in the plan of work of the rolling revision of the WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality.
Background
Short-term fluctuations of microbial contaminants in water lead to possible short-term exposures much higher than average values. Exposures can vary if control measures are not sufficient to handle the extreme values, but that the long-term averages would otherwise indicate low overall risk.
Expected end-product(s)
Possible amendments to Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality, for publication in fourth edition; this item is also being carried forward to the agenda item on the supporting document Water Treatment and Pathogen Control: Process Efficiency in Achieving Safe Drinking-water.
Progress to date
The Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality Working Group meeting (Geneva, 2004) agreed to a plan of work, which was slightly revised by the Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality Working Group meeting (Geneva, 2005).