Standards. Water quality standards for the use of potable water in the field are based on the length of
time the water is to be consumed. Some of these standards were also developed to set limits for the
palatability of water.
Short-Term Consumption Standards. The short-term standards (Table 2-1) apply to units
operating for 7 consecutive days or less when the commander, upon medical advice, determines that a field
operational condition exists which prevents soldier access to potable water meeting long-term consumption
standards.
Table 2-1. Short-term consumption water quality standards
U.S. Tri Service
QSTAG 245
STANAG 2136
(June 1996)
(Sep 1985)
(July 1994)
CONSUMPTION RATE
5 L/Day
15 L/Day
5 L/Day
5 L/Day
Physical Properties
Color (Color Unit)
50
50
--
50
Odor (TON)
3
3
--
3
pH
5-9
5-9
5 - 9.2
5-9
Temperature (Degrees C)
4 - 35
4 - 35
4.0 - 35
4 - 35
TDS (mg/L)
1000
1000
1500
1000
Turbidity (NTU)
1
1
5
1
Chemical Properties
Arsenic (mg/L)
0.3
0.1
2
0.3
Cyanide (mg/L)
6
2
20
6
Chloride (mg/L)
600
600
--
600
Lindane (mg/L)
0.6
0.2
--
--
Magnesium (mg/L)
100
30
--
100
Sulfate (mg/L)
300
100
--
300
Microbiological
Coliform (#/100 mL)
0
0
1
1
Virus (#/100 mL)
--
--
1
1
Spores/Cysts (#/100 mL)
--
--
1
1
Chemical Agents
Hydrogen Cyanide (mg/L)
6
2
--
--
7
2.3
--
--
BZ (Incapacitants) (g/L)
80
27
--
--
Lewisite (arsenic fraction) (g/L)
140
47
200
200
Sulfur Mustard (g/L)
12
4
20
20
Nerve Agents (g/L)
26
8.7
--
--
T-2 Toxins (g/L)
--
--
8 Ci/L
3 Ci/L
2-9
QM 4922
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