What are the drinking water quality standard for Namibia, identify them and their classification for use, both microbiology and chemical? ?

The drinking water quality standards for Namibia are set by the Ministry of Health and Social Services. The standards are classified into two categories: microbiological and chemical.

Microbiological standards for drinking water in Namibia:

1. Total coliforms: < 0 CFU/100 ml (for potable water)
2. Escherichia coli: < 0 CFU/100 ml (for potable water)
3. Faecal coliforms: < 0 CFU/100 ml (for potable water)
4. Total viable count: < 100 CFU/ml (for potable water)

Chemical standards for drinking water in Namibia:

1. pH: 6.5-8.5
2. Turbidity: < 5 NTU
3. Total dissolved solids: < 500 mg/l
4. Chlorine: 0.2-0.5 mg/l
5. Fluoride: < 1.5 mg/l
6. Nitrate: < 50 mg/l
7. Lead: < 0.01 mg/l
8. Arsenic: < 0.01 mg/l

These standards are set to ensure that drinking water in Namibia is safe for consumption and meets the requirements for human health.

Microbiological Drinking Water Quality Standards for Namibia

- Guideline Value: 0 E. coli/100ml
- Maximum Allowable Value: 1 E. coli/100ml

Classification:
- Safe: No E. coli detected
- Acceptable: Up to 1 E. coli/100ml
- Unacceptable: More than 1 E. coli/100ml

Chemical Drinking Water Quality Standards for Namibia

Parameter | Guideline Value | Maximum Allowable Value
---|---|---
Chemical Parameters
- Arsenic | 0.01 mg/L | 0.05 mg/L
- Cadmium | 0.003 mg/L | 0.005 mg/L
- Chromium (total) | 0.05 mg/L | 0.1 mg/L
- Copper | 1 mg/L | 2 mg/L
- Fluoride | 1.5 mg/L | 2.5 mg/L
- Iron | 0.3 mg/L | 1 mg/L
- Lead | 0.01 mg/L | 0.05 mg/L
- Manganese | 0.1 mg/L | 0.5 mg/L
- Mercury | 0.001 mg/L | 0.002 mg/L
- Nickel | 0.02 mg/L | 0.05 mg/L
- Selenium | 0.01 mg/L | 0.05 mg/L
- Zinc | 3 mg/L | 5 mg/L

Disinfection By-Products
- Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | 0.1 mg/L | 0.2 mg/L
- Haloacetic acids (HAA) | 0.06 mg/L | 0.1 mg/L

Pesticides
- Aldrin | 0.00003 mg/L | 0.00006 mg/L
- Dieldrin | 0.00003 mg/L | 0.00006 mg/L
- Endrin | 0.00002 mg/L | 0.00004 mg/L
- Lindane | 0.00002 mg/L | 0.00004 mg/L
- Malathion | 0.02 mg/L | 0.04 mg/L

Radiological Parameters
- Gross Alpha Activity | 0.1 Bq/L | 0.5 Bq/L
- Gross Beta Activity | 1 Bq/L | 3 Bq/L

Classification:

Safe: Meets all Guideline Values
Acceptable: Meets all Guideline Values except for:
- Arsenic: Up to 0.025 mg/L
- Copper: Up to 2 mg/L
- Fluoride: Up to 3 mg/L
- Lead: Up to 0.025 mg/L
- Manganese: Up to 1 mg/L
- Selenium: Up to 0.025 mg/L
Unacceptable: Exceeds any Guideline Value