Page 112 - GRIHA Manual Volume IV - Introduction to National Rating System
P. 112
Building planning and construction 103
CRIteRIon 28
ensuRe wAteR quAlIty
Introduction
In GRIHA two aspects of water quality are considered. One is to ensure the desired quality of potable
water, whatever may be the source of supply. If the municipal supply is not meeting the desired
quality standards, it is recommended to go for any of the relevant treatment systems and provide
desired quality potable water to the end users.
The other aspect of checking water quality is for treated water (refer Criterion 20). Depending
on the quality of effluent obtained from a treatment plant and other factors, one decides on the
potential application of the treated wastewater for use in buildings (flushing, external washing, and
so on) or/and landscaping.
Solution
Potable water quality standards
Water is usually tasteless, odourless, colorless, and a liquid in its pure state. But, water is one of the
best naturally occurring solvents present on the earth and almost any substance will dissolve in it to
some degree. This is why it is seldom found in its ‘pure’ state and usually contains several impurities
(gases, solids, colour).
Drinking water for human beings should contain some level of minerals (TDS), but these levels
should not be excessive. The standard that is applicable in India is the BIS 10 500–1991 standard.
This standard uses the WHO standard as the basis and has been amended subsequently to take
into account the fact that over exploitation of groundwater, which has the largest share of water
supplied for human use, has deteriorated to such an extent that the crucial parameters such as TDS,
hardness, chlorides, and so on usually exceed the desirable levels substantially. Consequently, a
higher permissible limit has been specified. Water used for drinking becomes unpalatable when the
TDS level is above 500 mg/l, but lack of any better source enables people consuming such water to
get used to its taste.
The Bureau of India Standards (BIS) standard applies to the purity level acceptable for
human consumption. For practically all industrial and some commercial uses, the purity level
required is very high, and in most cases, demand water with virtually no residual dissolved solids
at all.
CRIteRIon 28
ensuRe wAteR quAlIty
Introduction
In GRIHA two aspects of water quality are considered. One is to ensure the desired quality of potable
water, whatever may be the source of supply. If the municipal supply is not meeting the desired
quality standards, it is recommended to go for any of the relevant treatment systems and provide
desired quality potable water to the end users.
The other aspect of checking water quality is for treated water (refer Criterion 20). Depending
on the quality of effluent obtained from a treatment plant and other factors, one decides on the
potential application of the treated wastewater for use in buildings (flushing, external washing, and
so on) or/and landscaping.
Solution
Potable water quality standards
Water is usually tasteless, odourless, colorless, and a liquid in its pure state. But, water is one of the
best naturally occurring solvents present on the earth and almost any substance will dissolve in it to
some degree. This is why it is seldom found in its ‘pure’ state and usually contains several impurities
(gases, solids, colour).
Drinking water for human beings should contain some level of minerals (TDS), but these levels
should not be excessive. The standard that is applicable in India is the BIS 10 500–1991 standard.
This standard uses the WHO standard as the basis and has been amended subsequently to take
into account the fact that over exploitation of groundwater, which has the largest share of water
supplied for human use, has deteriorated to such an extent that the crucial parameters such as TDS,
hardness, chlorides, and so on usually exceed the desirable levels substantially. Consequently, a
higher permissible limit has been specified. Water used for drinking becomes unpalatable when the
TDS level is above 500 mg/l, but lack of any better source enables people consuming such water to
get used to its taste.
The Bureau of India Standards (BIS) standard applies to the purity level acceptable for
human consumption. For practically all industrial and some commercial uses, the purity level
required is very high, and in most cases, demand water with virtually no residual dissolved solids
at all.
