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TitleProtecting groundwater for health : managing the quality of drinking-water sources
Publication TypeBook
Year of Publication2006
AuthorsSchmoll, O, Howard, G, Chilton, J, Chorus, I
Paginationxix, 678 p. : fig., tab.
Date Published2006-01-01
PublisherWorld Health Organization (WHO)
Place PublishedGeneva, Switzerland
ISSN Number9241546689
Keywordsgroundwater pollution, groundwater protection, quality control, safe water supply, sdiwat, water quality
Abstract

Tools to develop strategies to protect groundwater for health by managing the quality of drinking-water sources are presented in five comprehensive sections.
A structured approach to analyse hazards to groundwater quality is provided, assessing the risk they may cause for a specific supply, setting priorities in addressing these, and developing management strategies for their control. For health professionals it provides access to environmental information needed for such a process and for professionals from other sectors, it gives a point of entry for understanding health aspects of groundwater management.
Section I covers the natural science background needed to understand which pathogens and chemicals are relevant to human health, how they are transported in the sub-surface and how they may be reduced, removed or retarded.
Section II provides guidance for compiling information needed to characterise the drinking-water catchment area in order to assess health hazards potentially reaching groundwater.
Section III provides conceptional guidance on prioritising both hazards and management responses.
Section IV provides an overview of the potential management actions to be taken to protect drinking-water sources, beginning with their integration into a Water Safety Plan covering all supply steps from catchment to consumer.
Section IV provides an overview of measures to prevent pollution from human activities in the catchment, beginning with policy, land-use planning and implementation for protecting groundwater. Specific management approaches helping to avoid groundwater pollution from the range of human activities in the catchment, i.e. agriculture, sanitation practices, industry, mining, military sites, waste disposal and traffic are presented.

NotesIncludes references
Custom 1212.0

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