Switzerland: The World Health Organization (WHO) has released an updated edition of its Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality, providing governments and regulators with revised recommendations to strengthen drinking-water safety through improved standards, surveillance, and risk management.
According to the WHO, an estimated 2.1 billion people worldwide still do not have access to safely managed drinking-water services. Of these, around 106 million people continue to use water directly from rivers, lakes, and other surface water sources.
The organization said the updated guidelines incorporate the latest scientific evidence, implementation experience, and lessons from countries that have adopted risk-based approaches to drinking-water management.
Dr. Rüdiger Krech, Acting Director of WHO’s Department of Environment, Climate Change, One Health and Migration, said that safe drinking water is essential for health, development, and the realization of human rights. Krech added that the updated guidance helps countries prioritize preventive measures, manage risks before they affect public health, and improve access to safe drinking water.
Focus on Risk-Based Water Management
The revised guidelines continue to recommend WHO’s framework for safe drinking water, which is based on three key components: establishing health-based targets, implementing Water Safety Plans to manage risks throughout the water supply system, and conducting independent surveillance to ensure that safety measures are effective.
WHO stated that the framework helps countries develop regulations and standards that address their highest-priority drinking-water risks while strengthening oversight of water supply systems.
1 in 4 people worldwide still lack safe drinking water.@WHO has released updated drinking-water guidance based on:
✅ new evidence,
✅ implementation experience, and
✅ lessons from countries
to close the safety gap and protect health.Access the guidelines ▶️… pic.twitter.com/xYNh0HPIe2
— World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific (@WHOWPRO) June 19, 2026
Updated Guidance for Small Water Supplies
The latest edition includes additional guidance for small water supply systems, which often have limited technical and financial resources.
WHO has clarified the role of sanitary inspections in Water Safety Plans. These inspections involve on-site assessments using standard checklists to identify conditions that could lead to contamination of drinking-water sources.
The guidelines state that sanitary inspections can support hazard identification, routine monitoring, and maintenance. Where comprehensive Water Safety Plans are not yet feasible, sanitary inspections may also serve as an interim risk management measure while local capacity is strengthened.
Revised Recommendations on Microbial Risks
The updated guidelines also expand recommendations on microbial contamination, which WHO identifies as the most significant risk to drinking-water safety.
The document includes updated scientific evidence on waterborne pathogens and provides additional guidance on managing microbial risks, including those that may affect healthcare facilities. WHO has also added new fact sheets covering selected emerging viruses to support monitoring and public health planning.
