BIS and WHO Drinking-Water Quality Standards for Commercial Sites
Commercial-site water quality should not be judged by taste or TDS alone. In India, the applicable regulatory and contractual requirements must be identified for the site. WHO guidance supports risk-based water-safety management, while Indian standards and local rules determine the requirements that apply in India.
BIS and WHO do different jobs
| Reference | Role |
|---|---|
| BIS IS 10500 | Indian drinking-water specification used for assessing drinking-water quality; confirm the current edition and amendments from BIS. |
| WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality | International health-based guidance that supports national standards, water-safety plans and risk management from source to consumer. |
WHO guidance is not a substitute for applicable Indian law, consent conditions, licences or client specifications. A commercial facility may also need sector-specific requirements.
Parameters to assess
- Microbiological: indicators and organisms relevant to public-health risk.
- Physical: turbidity, colour, odour and appearance.
- General chemistry: pH, dissolved solids, hardness and alkalinity.
- Inorganic contaminants: fluoride, nitrate, iron, arsenic, lead and others based on source risk.
- Treatment-related: disinfectant residuals and by-products where applicable.
A practical compliance workflow
- Identify the water source, intended use and applicable authority.
- Use a competent laboratory and a suitable sampling plan.
- Compare results with the correct current requirements—not an internet chart.
- Select treatment for the contaminants actually present.
- Validate treated water before use.
- Monitor at a frequency based on risk, source variability and applicable rules.
- Maintain sampling, service and corrective-action records.
Why TDS alone is insufficient
A TDS meter estimates ionic content through conductivity. It does not identify pathogens, arsenic, lead, pesticides or individual salts. Water can have an acceptable-looking TDS reading and still require broader testing.
For current references, consult the Bureau of Indian Standards for IS 10500 and the World Health Organization’s latest drinking-water-quality guidance. ABHIRO supplies water-testing products and application-based purification systems; final compliance must be demonstrated through suitable testing.
