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Water Standards RSB Abu Dhabi PDF
Water Standards RSB Abu Dhabi PDF
Quality Regulations
(Fourth Edition)
January 2014
Issued by:
The Regulation and Supervision Bureau
for the water, wastewater and electricity sector
in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi
Issued by:
The Regulation and Supervision Bureau
for the water, wastewater and electricity sector
in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi
www.rsb.gov.ae
January 2014
Foreword
Nicholas Carter
Director General
1 January 2014
List of revisions
The Water Quality Regulations have been revised four times as follows:
1. The first revision was issued on February 2002 concerning
amendments to Schedule 2: Sampling Frequency.
2. The second revision was issued on January 2004 concerning
amendments to Schedule 1: Prescribed Concentrations or Values.
3. The third revision was issued on July 2009 concerning amendments
to the Regulations and its Schedules. In addition, a new Schedule
(Schedule 4: Drinking Water Performance) was introduced.
4. This fourth edition is the current Regulations issued in July 2013
which include changes concerning the Regulations structure and the
introduction of new Parts together with amendments to the annexed
Schedules.
Table of contents
Part 1: Introduction
Part 2: Wholesomeness
11
13
15
19
21
25
27
29
33
35
Schedules
37
Part 1: Introduction
1.1
1.1.1
1.1.2
1.1.3
1.2 Interpretation
Introduction
10
Part 2: Wholesomeness
2.1
2.2
2.3
11
12
Part 3: Relaxation
of requirements
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
13
14
In this Part 4:
4.2 The Standard Number means such number of
sampling frequency specified in the column headed
Standard in Tables 1 to 7 of Schedule 2 as is applicable
to the Parameter in question by reference to the number of
persons estimated to have been supplied or the volume of
water supplied, in addition to plant capacity or volume of
water storage body or Water Tanker.
4.3
4.4
15
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
16
Monitoring
of water supplies
4.10
(a) either shut off at the supply stop valve and drain the
pipe, Plant and its installations or the water shall be
flushed regularly; or
(b) assess whether water can be supplied from that pipe,
Plant and its installations without contravening these
Regulations by sampling that water in accordance with
paragraph 4.11.
4.11
4.12
17
18
5.2
19
5.3
5.4
5.5
20
6.2
6.3
6.4
21
6.5
6.6
6.7
22
6.8
New products,
substances and process
6.9
23
24
7.2
25
26
8.2
8.3
8.4
8.5
27
28
Part 9: Records
and information
9.1
(g)
9.2
29
9.3
9.4
9.5
9.6
9.7
9.8
30
9.10
Records
and information
9.9
31
32
In the event that the test results for one or more of the
Parameters included in Tables A to H of Schedule 1 fails to
meet the limits or lies outside the Prescribed Concentration
or Value (PCV), particularly Table F (microbiological
Parameters), Licensed Suppliers shall notify the Licensed
Transmission Operator in accordance with the notification
procedure in the Operating Code of the Water Transmission
Code together with the remedial action considered.
10.2
10.3
10
33
34
11.2
11
35
SCHEDULES
Schedules
40
50
64
70
39
Schedule 1
40
Schedule 1: Parameters
& limits
Item
Parameter
Unit of measurement
Concentration or
value (maximum
unless otherwise
stated)
Colour
15.0
Turbidity (including
suspended solids)
Odour (including
hydrogen sulphide)
NTU (Nephelometric
Turbidity Unit)
4.0
Dilution number
Unobjectionable
Taste
Dilution number
Unobjectionable
Total dissolved
solids (TDS) (i) *
mg/l
100 (minimum)
1,000 (maximum)
Calcium hardness *
mg/l as CaCO3
200 at 25 C
Total hardness *
mg/l as CaCO3
300 at 25 C
Langelier saturation
index
Hydrogen ion
pH value
10
mg/l Cl2
0.0 (minimum)
0.5 (maximum)
7.0 (minimum)
9.2 (maximum)
0.2 (minimum)
0.5 (maximum)
2
3
(i) The total dissolved solids (TDS) shall be measured using the Guide to Total
Dissolved Solids (k factor) calculations which is the Summation Method (Anions
and cations) measured according to the Standard Method at a frequency specified
in the Guide to Total Dissolved Solids (k factor) calculations to establish the k factor.
The k factor is the ratio adopted in determining the TDS from the measurement of
electric conductivity in mhos/cm. Where the TDS (by summation method) = k x
EC in mg/l, k can only be in the range of 0.55 to 0.8.
(ii) Residual chlorine ideal concentration shall be between 0.2 to 0.5 mg/l. However
it may increase to 1.00mg/l or even above in situations where the Licensed
Supplier or the Transmission System Operator request it in accordance with the
Water Transmission Code or for the purpose of controlling possible bacteriological
contamination.
(iii) *For produced water minimum limit for calcium hardness, the total hardness,
calcium content hydrogen bicarbonate contents (HCO3) and the maximum limit
for TDS (<200mg/l), shall be according to the water quality exit specification
composition requirements of the supplier Plant. This is to ensure meeting the
remineralisation limits in the water desalination processes.
41
Concentration or
value (maximum
unless otherwise
stated)
Item
Parameter
Unit of measurement
Sulphate
mg SO4 /l
250.0
Magnesium
mg Mg/l
30.0
Sodium
mg Na/l
150.0
Potassium
mg K/l
12.0
Chlorides
mg Cl/l
250.0
Nitrate
mg NO3/l
50.0
Nitrite
mg NO2/l
3.0
mg NH4/l
0.5
mg C/l
1.0
8
9
Ammonium
(ammonia and
ammonium ions)
Total organic carbon
(TOC) (i)
10
Aluminium
mg Al/l
0.2
11
Iron
mg Fe/l
0.2
12
Copper
mg Cu/l
1.0
13
Zinc
mg Zn/l
5.0
14
Phosphorus
mg P/l
2.2
(i) The normally observed value of TOC in the network is < 1 mg C/l during the normal
operation and < 2 mg C/l in newly commissioned or repaired systems. Any increase
over these values requires further investigation.
42
Concentration or
value (maximum
unless otherwise
stated)
Item
Parameters
Unit of measurement
Arsenic
As g/l
10.0
Cadmium
Cd g/l
3.0
Chromium
Cr g/l
50.0
Mercury
Hg g/l
6.0
Nickel
Ni g/l
70.0
Lead
Pb g/l
10.0
Antimony
Sb g/l
20.0
Selenium
Se g/l
40.0
Barium
Ba g/l
700.0
10
Boron
B g/l
2,400.0
11
Manganese
Mn g/l
400.0
12
Fluoride
F g/l
1,500.0
43
Concentration or
value (maximum
unless otherwise
stated)
Item
Parameter
Unit of measurement
Endrine
g/l
0.6
Lindane
g/l
2.0
Methoxychlor
g/l
20.0
g/l
30.0
g/l
9.0
4
5
2,4 dichlorophexy
acetic acid
2,4,5
trichlorophenoxy
propionic acid
Phenols
g/l
0.5
Heptachlor
g/l
0.03
Aldrin
g/l
0.03
DDT
g/l
1.0
10
Chlordane
g/l
0.2
11
Dieldrin
g/l
0.03
12
Heptachlor epoxide
g/l
0.03
13
Cyanide
g/l
70.0
14
g/l
0.5
(i) Total pesticides means the sum of all individual pesticides detected and
quantified in the monitoring procedure. Those pesticides can be from the list of
individual Parameters in the table above or outside it. Forms of pesticides can be,
but are not limited to organic insecticides, herbicides and fungicides.
44
Concentration or
value (maximum
unless otherwise
stated)
Item
Parameter
Unit of measurement
Trichloroethene
g/l
20.0
Tetrachloromethane
g/l
3.0
Tetrachloroethene
g/l
40.0
1,2-Dichloroethane
g/l
30.0
Benzene
g/l
10.0
Benzo(a)pyrene
g/l
0.7
Dichloromethane
g/l
20.0
Chlorobenzene
g/l
300.0
1,2-Dichloroethene
g/l
50.0
10
Toluene
g/l
700.0
11
1,2-Dichlorobenzene
g/l
1,000.0
12
1,4-Dichlorobenzene
g/l
300.0
13
Vinyl Chloride
g/l
0.3
45
Concentration or
value (maximum
unless otherwise
stated)
Item
Parameter
Unit of measurement
1.
Total coliforms
Number/100ml
2.
E.coli or
thermotolerent
Faecal coliform
bacteria
Number/100ml
3.
Enterococci
Number/100 ml
4.
Total Bacterial
Count
Number/1 ml at 37C
10 at 37 C
(i) Immediate action must be taken if either E.Coli or Total coliform bacteria are
detected.
(ii) Legionella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Sulphite reducing bacteria testing
needs to be conducted randomly in the in the distribution network as an indicator
for detecting possible contamination or where observations associated with taste,
odour and colour problems. Target should be Zero organism.
(iii) Drinking water shall be free at all times from algae, mould, parasites, insects and
their eggs, larvae, protozoa including Amebo.
(iv) Total Bacterial Count limit shown above is an indicator for disinfection efficiency
and the risk of potential contamination; hence Suppliers shall take immediate
remedial measures where significant increase over that normally observed levels is
detected which is 100 at 37 C or above.
46
Item
Parameter
Unit of measurement
1
2
Gross
Gross
Bq/l
Bq/l
Concentration or
value (maximum
unless otherwise
stated)
0.5
1
Remarks:
(i) Initial screening for gross
/ or gross activity to determine whether the activity
concentrations are below levels at which no further action is required. If initial
screening levels exceed the above then investigation and monitoring of individual
radionuclide should follow immediately. The limits for the individual radionuclide
should be in accordance with guidance levels (WHO Water Quality Guidelines) as
follows:
Item
Parameter
Unit of measurement
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Uranium-238
Uranium-234
Thorium-230
Radium-226
Lead-210
Polonium-210
Thorium-232
Radium-228
Thorium-228
Caesium-134
Caesium-137
Strontium-90
Iodine-131
Tritium
Carbon-14
Plutonium-239
Americium-241
Bq/l
Bq/l
Bq/l
Bq/l
Bq/l
Bq/l
Bq/l
Bq/l
Bq/l
Bq/l
Bq/l
Bq/l
Bq/l
Bq/l
Bq/l
Bq/l
Bq/l
Concentration or
value
10
1
1
1
0.1
0.1
1
0.1
1
10
10
10
10
10,000
100
1
1
47
Concentration or
value (maximum
unless otherwise
stated)
Item
Parameter
Unit of
measurement
1
2
3
4
Bromate (i)
Chlorate
Chlorite
Bromoform
Bromodichloromethane
(BDCM)
Chloroform
Dibromochloromethane
(DBCM)
THMs (ii)
mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
mg/l
0.01
0.7
0.7
0.1
mg/l
0.06
mg/l
0.3
mg/l
0.1
5
6
7
8
1.0
(i) Licensed Suppliers shall target to maintain at all times the bromide ion concentration
to less than 0.05 mg/l and sample according to the same sampling frequency as
Bromate.
(ii) The sum of detected concentration of chloroform, bromodichloromethane (BDCM),
dibromochloromethane (DBCM) and bromoform as calculated in the equation
below:
C Bromoform
C DBCM
C BDCM
C Chloroform
PCV Bromoform
PCV DBCM
PCV BDCM
48
PVC Chloroform
49
Schedule 2
Sampling frequency
50
Schedule 2: Sampling
frequency
Regulated activity
Water production by
thermal desalination
(MSF, MED& Solar)
Water production by
membrane including
Hybrid (thermal +
membrane)
Water abstracted
from well fields
Schedule II
Table 3 & 7
Table 4 & 7
Table 5
Water transmission
Table 2 & 7
Water distribution
Table 1 & 7
Table 6
51
52
Volume
distributed
(m/d)
Population
supplied
Reduced
Standard
Increased
Reduced
Standard
100
500
101-1,000
501-5,000
12
1,001-2,000
5,001-10,000
12
2,001-4,000
10,001-20,000
12
24
4,001-10,000
20,001-50,000
12
24
36
12
Table A Parameter
Table B Parameter
Increased
10,001-20,000
50,001-100,000
12
24
36
24
20,001-30,000
100,001-150,000
18
36
48
12
24
>30,001
>150,000
18
48
72
12
36
Volume
distributed
(m/d)
Population
supplied
Reduced
Standard
Increased
100
500
Table C Parameter
Table D Parameter
101-1,000
501-5,000
1,001-2,000
5,001-10,000
2,001-4,000
10,001-20,000
4,001-10,000
20,001-50,000
10,001-20,000
50,001-100,000
20,001-30,000
100,001-150,000
>30,001
>150,000
10
Reduced
Standard
Increased
Table 1 (contd)
Volume
distributed
(m/d)
Population
supplied
Reduced
Standard
Increased
Reduced
Standard
100
500
12
24
101-1,000
501-5,000
12
24
Table E Parameter
Table F Parameter
Increased
1,001-2,000
5,001-10,000
12
24
2,001-4,000
10,001-20,000
12
24
48
4,001-10,000
20,001-50,000
12
24
48
10,001-20,000
50,001-100,000
18
36
72
20,001-30,000
100,001-150,000
18
36
72
>30,001
>150,000
36
48
72
Volume
distributed
(m/d)
Population
supplied
Reduced
Standard
Increased
Reduced
Standard
100
500
12
101-1,000
501-5,000
12
Table G Parameter
Table H Parameter
Increased
1,001-2,000
5,001-10,000
12
2,001-4,000
10,001-20,000
24
4,001-10,000
20,001-50,000
24
10,001-20,000
50,001-100,000
12
48
20,001-30,000
100,001-150,000
12
48
>30,001
>150,000
12
48
53
Capacity (m/d)
Reduced
Standard
Increased
Reduced
Standard
100
101 - 1,000
Increased
1,001 - 4,000
4,001 - 10,000
12
12
10,001 - 20,000
12
12
20,001 - 30,000
12
12
30,001 - 60,000
12
24
12
24
60,001 - 100,000
12
24
12
24
100,001 - 150,000
12
24
36
12
24
>150,001
24
36
48
12
24
36
Table C Parameter
Capacity (m/d)
100
54
Table B Parameter
Table D Parameter
Reduced
Standard
Increased
8
8
101 - 1,000
1,001 - 4,000
4,001 - 10,000
8
12
10,001 - 20,000
20,001 - 30,000
12
30,001 - 60,000
12
12
60,001 - 100,000
100,001 - 150,000
12
24
>150,001
12
24
Reduced
Standard
Increased
Table 2 (contd)
Water pumping
capacity
Capacity (m/d)
Reduced
Standard
Table F Parameter
Increased
Reduced
Standard
100
101 - 1,000
1,001 - 4,000
4,001 - 10,000
12
10,001 - 20,000
12
20,001 - 30,000
12
24
30,001 - 60,000
12
24
60,001 - 100,000
12
24
100,001 - 150,000
12
24
48
>150,001
18
36
72
Capacity (m/d)
Table G Parameter
Reduced
Standard
Increased
Increased
Table H Parameter
Reduced
Standard
Increased
100
12
101 - 1,000
12
1,001 - 4,000
12
4,001 - 10,000
12
10,001 - 20,000
24
20,001 - 30,000
24
30,001 - 60,000
24
60,001 - 100,000
24
100,001 - 150,000
12
48
>150,001
12
48
(i) In situations where glass reinforced plastics pipes are used in the water supply
systems
55
Capacity (m/d)
Standard
Increased
Reduced
Standard
1,000
12
30
48
1,001 - 10,000
15
36
60
12
10,001 - 20,000
30
60
240
12
20,001 - 50,000
60
120
240
12
24
50,001 - 100,000
60
180
240
12
24
100,001 - 200,000
180
240
360
12
24
48
200,001 - 300,000
240
360
720
12
24
48
300,001 - 500,000
240
360
720
18
36
72
>500,001
240
360
720
18
36
72
Table C Parameter
Capacity (m/d)
56
Table B Parameter
Reduced
Increased
Table D Parameter
Reduced
Standard
Increased
1,000
1,001 - 10,000
10,001 - 20,000
20,001 - 50,000
50,001 - 100,000
100,001 - 200,000
200,001 - 300,000
300,001 - 500,000
12
>500,001
12
Reduced
Standard
Increased
Table 3 (contd)
Table E Parameter
Capacity (m/d)
Reduced
Standard
Table F Parameter
Increased
Reduced
Standard
Increased
1,000
1,001-10,000
10,001-20,000
20,001-50,000
12
50,001-100,000
12
100,001-200,000
12
200,001-300,000
12
20
300,001-500,000
12
24
40
>500,000
24
36
48
Table G Parameter
Capacity (m/d)
Reduced
Standard
Table H Parameter
Increased
Reduced
Standard
Increased
1,000
1,001 - 10,000
12
24
10,001 - 20,000
12
24
20,001 - 50,000
12
24
48
50,001 - 100,000
12
24
48
100,001 - 200,000
12
24
48
200,001 - 300,000
12
24
48
300,001 - 500,000
12
24
48
>500,001
12
24
48
57
Capacity (m/d)
Standard
Increased
Reduced
Standard
1,000
12
30
48
1,001 - 10,000
15
36
60
12
10,001 - 20,000
30
60
240
12
20,001 - 50,000
60
120
240
12
24
50,001 - 100,000
60
180
240
12
24
100,001 - 200,000
180
240
360
12
24
48
200,001 - 300,000
240
360
720
12
24
48
300,001 - 500,000
240
360
720
18
36
72
>500,001
240
360
720
18
36
72
Table C Parameter
Capacity (m/d)
58
Table B Parameter
Reduced
Increased
Table D Parameter
Reduced
Standard
Increased
1,000
1,001 - 10,000
10,001 - 20,000
20,001 - 50,000
50,001 - 100,000
100,001 - 200,000
200,001 - 300,000
300,001 - 500,000
12
>500,001
12
Reduced
Standard
Increased
Table 4 (contd)
Table E Parameter
Capacity (m/d)
Table F Parameter
Reduced
Standard
Inctreased
Reduced
Standard
1,000
Increased
8
1,001 - 10,000
10,001 - 20,000
20,001 - 50,000
12
50,001 - 100,000
12
12
100,001 - 200,000
12
12
200,001 - 300,000
12
12
20
300,001 - 500,000
12
24
12
24
40
>500,001
12
24
24
36
48
Table G Parameter
Capacity (m/d)
Table H Parameter
Reduced
Standard
Increased
Reduced
Standard
1,000
Increased
8
1,001 - 10,000
12
24
10,001 - 20,000
12
24
20,001 - 50,000
18
36
50,001 - 100,000
18
36
100,001 - 200,000
18
36
200,001 - 300,000
12
24
48
300,001 - 500,000
12
24
48
>500,001
12
24
48
Remarks:
(i) Table 4 sampling frequency to be adopted for hybrid desalination plants (thermal
and membrane).
59
Capacity (m/d)
Reduced
Standard
Increased
Reduced
Standard
Increased
100
101 - 1,000
12
1,001 - 2,000
12
24
2,001 - 4,000
12
24
48
12
4,001 - 10,000
30
60
120
12
>10,001
30
60
120
12
24
Table C Parameter
Capacity (m/d)
Table D Parameter
Reduced
Standard
Increased
Reduced
Standard
100
101 - 1,000
Increased
1,001 - 2,000
12
12
2,001 - 4,000
12
12
4,001 - 10,000
12
24
12
24
>10,001
12
24
36
12
24
Table E Parameter
Capacity (m/d)
Table F Parameter
Reduced
Standard
Increased
Reduced
Standard
100
101 - 1,000
Increased
1,001 - 2,000
2,001 - 4,000
12
12
4,001 - 10,000
12
12
24
>10,001
12
24
12
24
48
Table G Parameter
Capacity (m/d)
60
Table B Parameter
Table H Parameter
Reduced
Standard
Increased
Reduced
Standard
100
12
Increased
24
101 - 1,000
12
24
1,001 - 2,000
12
24
48
2,001 - 4,000
12
24
48
4,001 - 10,000
12
24
48
>10,001
12
12
24
48
Table A Parameter
Reduced
Standard
Increased
Standard
Increased
2
Table D Parameter
Reduced
Standard
Increased
Reduced
Reduced
Table C Parameter
Table B Parameter
Standard
Increased
Table F Parameter
Reduced
Standard
Increased
Reduced
Standard
Increased
Table G Parameter
Reduced
Standard
Increased
Table H Parameter
Reduced
Standard
Increased
(i) Tankers internally coated (paint) are required to test for total organic compounds
(TOC) and relevant Parameters form Table E (1,2-Dichloroethane, Toluene,
1,2-Dichlorobenzene1, 4-Dichlorobenzene ,Vinyl Chloride).
61
Capacity (m)
Table B Parameter
Reduced
Standard
Increased
<2,000
2,000-10,000
10,001-50,000
50,001-200,000
>200,000
12
Capacity (m)
Reduced
Table C Parameter
Reduced
Standard
Increased
Standard
Increased
Table D Parameter
Reduced
Standard
Increased
<2,000
2,000-10,000
10,001-50,000
50,001-200,000
>200,000
Capacity (m)
Table E Parameter
Reduced
Reduced
Standard
Increased
<2,000
2,000-10,000
10,001-50,000
50,001-200,000
>200,000
12
Capacity (m)
Standard
Increased
Table F Parameter
Table G Parameter
Reduced
Standard
Increased
Table H Parameter
Reduced
<2,000
2,000-10,000
10,001-50,000
50,001-200,000
>200,000
62
Standard
Increased
63
Schedule 3
64
Form A
Water production Licensed Supplier
Desalination plant
Name of production company
Site location
Total production capacity
Desalination technology
Number of units
Year of construction
Unit ID number
Production capacity
Remineralisation Plant name
Storage capacity
Number of storage tanks
Desalination Plant name
Storage tank type
Storage tank capacity
Material of construction
And internal coating
Sample point ID
(Identification number)
Chemicals
Pre treatment chemicals
Remineralisation chemicals
Chemical No.
Scientific name
Brand name
Required concentration
Dosing rate
Type of packing
Type of storage and shelve life
Remarks:
Please attach a schematic showing the flow diagram, Sampling Points location
and remineralisation Plant process drawings.
65
Form B
Water distribution Licensed Supplier
Site information
Site ID
Site description
Site location
Volume (m3/d)
Population
Region ID
Annual frequency plan
Parameter
Name of test method
Method standard
Description
Internal or external lab
(name of lab)
Remarks
66
Form C
Water transmission Licensed Supplier
Site information
Water pumping capacity
(m3/d) or
reservoirs capacity (m3)
Sample
location
Pump Station
Reservoir
Table B
Table C
Table E
Table F
Table H
3
Testing method (according to the sampling testing criteria table)
No.
Test method Parameter
Name of test method
Method standard
Description
Internal or external lab
(name of lab)
Remarks
67
Form D
Ground water supplies
Annual frequency plan
Well production
site/ capacity
(m3/d)
Table A
Table B
Table C
Table D
Table E
Table F
Table G
68
Table H
Form E
Tankered water supplies
Annual frequency plan
Tanker
registration
number / size or
capacity
Table A
Table C
Table E
Table F
69
Schedule 4
70
Parameter
Required tests
according to
Schedule 2
Done
Failed
Passed
Residual Cl2
Bromate
THMs
Coliforms
E. Coli
Total
Parameter
Required tests
according to
Schedule 2
Done
Failed
Passed
Residual Cl2
Total bacteria count
Coliforms
Total
Parameter
Required tests
according to
Schedule 2
Done
Failed
Passed
Colour
Turbidity
Odour
Taste
pH
Iron
Copper
Manganese
Total
71
Parameter
Required tests
according to
Schedule 2
Done
Failed
Passed
Residual Cl2
Bromate
Coliforms
E. Coli
Total
Parameter
Required tests
according to
Schedule 2
Done
Failed
Passed
Residual Cl2
Total bacteria
Count
Coliforms
Total
Parameter
Required tests
according to
Schedule 2
Done
Failed
Turbidity
pH
Iron
Copper
Manganese
Total
72
Passed
Parameter
Required tests
according to
Schedule 2
Done
Failed
Passed
Residual Cl2
Bromate
Coliforms
E. Coli
THMs
Total
Parameter
Required tests
according to
Schedule 2
Done
Failed
Passed
Residual Cl2
Total bacteria count
Coliforms
Total
Parameter
Required tests
according to
Schedule 2
Done
Failed
Passed
Turbidity
pH
Iron
Copper
TDS
LSI
Total
Manganese
Total
73