What are 'drinking water standards'?

Drinking water standards refer specifically to the regulatory limits for contaminants found in drinking water. These standards are established to ensure that water is safe for human consumption and does not pose a health risk. They include permissible levels for various harmful substances, such as bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, and other pollutants, which are determined based on extensive research and risk assessments.

Establishing these standards is critical to public health since it guides water utilities and governing bodies in monitoring and treating water supplies. Compliance with drinking water standards helps protect the population from contaminants that could lead to acute or chronic health problems. These standards are often enforced by government agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States, which sets the benchmark for water quality and safety.

In contrast, the other options relate to different aspects of water management and safety that do not specifically define what drinking water standards are. Guidelines for water storage focus on how to properly store water to prevent contamination, protocols for water distribution deal with the methods and systems used to deliver water to consumers, and standards for surface water temperature pertain to environmental conditions rather than direct safety for drinking water consumption.