What do Primary Drinking Water Standards aim to regulate?

Primary Drinking Water Standards are established to regulate acceptable levels of certain pollutants in drinking water to ensure public health and safety. These standards are critical because they provide guidelines on the maximum concentration of contaminants that can be present in the water supply. This includes substances that could pose health risks if consumed over time, focusing on pollutants such as bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, and chemicals.

By setting these standards, regulatory agencies aim to minimize health risks associated with drinking water, ensuring that it remains safe for human consumption. In contrast, issues like maximum allowable temperature or minimum pH levels are not typically the primary focus of these standards but may be governed by secondary standards, which relate more to aesthetic quality than to safety. Likewise, the regulation of specific water purification methods does not fall under the purview of Primary Drinking Water Standards, as these pertain more to the quality of the water rather than the processes used to achieve that quality.