The goal of the Bhutan Drinking Water Quality Standards 2025 is to establish national standards and a framework for safe drinking water to protect public health.
The Standard revises the 2016 standard to align with the latest WHO guidance and the Water Act of Bhutan 2011. It sets parameters and maximum allowable limits for drinking water in Bhutan. It also includes definitions of terminology, the normative references guiding drinking water quality, reference standards for unspecified parameters, and compliance criteria.
The document emphasizes the importance of Water Safety Plans, standard operating procedures, and institutional roles for agencies such as the Department of Water, Department of Infrastructure Development, and the Royal Centre for Disease Control. It mandates regular testing, data management, and reporting protocols, with clear responsibilities assigned to stakeholders at different administrative levels, including Thromde, Dzongkhag, and Gewog administrations, as well as health facilities.