Study on the Development of Local Technical Regulations for the Quality of Direct Tap Drinking Water in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Abstract

The study on the development of local technical regulations for the quality of direct tap drinking water was conducted to manage clean water quality, ensure water supply safety, and minimise public health risks in Ho Chi Minh City. The study was based on analysis and evaluation of legal frameworks, domestic and international experiences related to technical regulations on direct tap drinking water quality. The study also further assessed the  importance, level of impact and  priority of clean water quality parameters  through data collection multiple methodological methods, such as  priority assessment matrix, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), technical capability analysis, and maximum allowable limits. Based on these processes, 20 parameters were selected for inclusion in the local technical regulation: turbidity, pH, residual chlorine, permanganate index, hardness, aluminium, chloride, fluoride, iron, manganese, nitrate, nitrite, sodium, sulphate, phenol and phenol derivatives, total dissolved solids (TDS), total coliforms, Escherichia coli (E. coli), Clostridium perfringens, and Cryptosporidium. Subsequently, safety threshold values for these parameters were proposed. designed to achieve a balance between public health protection and the technological and economic feasibility of the existing water supply system. The study results provided a scientific and practical basis in developing local technical regulations on direct tap drinking water quality.