ABSTRACT
Synthesis, transport and application of industrial and agricultural chemicals in the international market make comprehensive, globally standardized drinking water monitoring increasingly important. An integrated monitoring program that applies specific technologies could provide cost effective, uniform water quality data on drinking water supplies. Correlating comprehensive, uniform monitoring results with hydrogeologic, land-use and disease occurrence data can provide a framework for making better public health and environmental decisions. Monitoring of water can be conducted for a number of purposes: regulatory compliance, broad-spectrum baseline or follow-up surveys, surveillance of discharges and high-risk water sources, assessment of treatment technology performance. Many countries lack the financial resources needed if monitoring were initiated using traditional analytical methods to detect a broad range of chemical contaminants. Monitoring for the broad spectrum of contaminants can raise public awareness and contribute to an integrated approach to pest management, industrial production, sewage management and chemical usage which can improve source water protection.
