Guidelines On Recreational Water Quality Volume 1

Use of coastal, estuarine and freshwater recreational environments has significant benefits for health and well-being, including rest, relaxation, exercise, cultural and religious practices, and aesthetic pleasure, while also providing substantial local, regional and national economic benefits. These guidelines focus on water quality management for coastal and freshwater environments to protect public health. The guidelines: 1. describe the current state of knowledge about the possible adverse health impacts of various forms of water pollution; and2. set out recommendations for setting national health-based targets, conducting surveillance and risk assessments, putting in place systems to monitor and control risks, and providing timely advice to users on water safety.These guidelines are aimed at national and local authorities, and other entities with an obligation to exercise due diligence relating to the safety of recreational water sites. They may be implemented in conjunction with other measures for water safety (such as drowning prevention and sun exposure) and measures for environmental protection of recreational water use sites.

These new Guidelines for Safe Recreational Water Environments describe the present state of knowledge regarding the impact of recreational use of coastal and freshwater environments upon the health of users - specifically drowning and injury, exposure to cold, heat and sunlight, water quality (especially exposure to water contaminated by sewage, but also exposure to free-living pathogenic microorganisms in recreational water), contamination of beach sand, exposure to algae and their products, exposure to chemical and physical agents, and dangerous aquatic organisms. In addition, control and mo.

These new Guidelines for Safe Recreational Water Environments describe the present state of knowledge regarding the impact of recreational use of coastal and freshwater environments upon the health of users - specifically drowning and injury, exposure to cold, heat and sunlight, water quality (especially exposure to water contaminated by sewage, but also exposure to free-living pathogenic microorganisms in recreational water), contamination of beach sand, exposure to algae and their products, exposure to chemical and physical agents, and dangerous aquatic organisms. In addition, control and mo.

The new guidelines are meant to protect public health, help evaluate development projects near freshwater and recreational sites and assess potential health aspects of recreational projects.

This volume describes the methods used in the surveillance of drinking water quality in the light of the special problems of small-community supplies, particularly in developing countries, and outlines the strategies necessary to ensure that surveillance is effective.

These guidelines deal with health hazards associated with recreational water use, as well as aesthetic and nuisance conditions. Health hazards associated with direct contact with water include infections transmitted by pathogenic microorganisms, as well as injuries and illness due to physical and chemical properties of the water. The guidelines discuss the indicator organisms such as enterococci, Escherichia coli, other fecal coliforms, and coliphages, as well as health risks related to exposure to waterborne pathogenic bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and toxic blue-green algae. Sampling of recreational waters is also addressed. Other sections deal with physical, chemical, and aesthetic characteristics, nuisance organisms, microbiological methods of sampling and analysis, and posting of beaches and other recreational waters.

This volume provides a referenced review and assessment of the health hazards associated with recreational waters. It covers their monitoring and assessment, activities available for their control through the education of users, good design, constructionand good operation and management.