QIU Mao-long, LIU Ling-hua, ZOU Xiao-wen, WU Lei-xiang

Department of Water Environment, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, China

Abstract: The source water quality standards and assessment methods in China and abroad are analyzed briefly. Based on the comparison of “Environmental quality standards for surface water” (GB 3838-2002) and “Standards for drinking water quality” (GB 5749-2006), the defects existing in source water quality standards in China are elaborated. Learning from the standards of Europe, the United States and other developed countries, we should improve and strengthen the systematicness of source water quality evaluation standards. By considering physical and chemical properties, microbiological and toxicological indicators, comprehensive water quality index evaluation method is recommended for source water assessment in China. The method can realize the transformation of source water quality assessment from single factor to comprehensive evaluation, and also can give the classification of water quality status.

Key words: water sources; evaluation of water quality; evaluation standards; evaluation methods; review

Published in: Journal of China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (Vol. 11 No. 3, 2013)