Water Quality Indices - methods for evaluating the quality of drinking water

Abstract

Water quality is assessed through the biological, physical and chemical parameters. The limits of these parameters that are harmful to human health have been established at national or international level (WHO, EPA, MECC) by various laws, regulations, normative. An efficient and simplified to express the quality of water for consumption is given by the water quality index. It reflects the quality of water in a single value by comparing data obtained from the investigation of a number of physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters with existing limits. This number is placed on a relative scale to justify the quality of water in categories ranging from very poor to excellent. In this study are discussed various water quality indices used to assess the quality of drinking water (surface water). National and international agencies involved in assessing water quality and pollution control defines different quality criteria used for drinking water which is why there are many water quality specific indices for each region or area. In this context, it will present a comparative study of the most important quality indices used to assess water quality worldwide.