2. Regulatory review

2.1 Water for human consumption

Water intended for human consumption is considered potable if it meets well-defined quality requirements in terms of its physico-chemical and bacteriological characteristics, which must not endanger the health of the consumer. For the quality of distributed water, we refer essentially to two aspects:

• user satisfaction, which is subjective because it is essentially based on organoleptic and visual quality: "The water must be as pleasant to drink as the circumstances allow;

• and, above all, its composition and compatibility with hygiene and public health protection (sanitary quality).

Public water supply is defined by national standards derived...