NATO and Quadripartite forces. These organizations have agreed, when operating on land, to adopt
minimum requirements for potability of drinking water to be issued to soldiers in combat zones or in any
other strict emergency situations. STANAG 2136 provides guidance on short-term (1 to 7 days) standards
under these conditions while QSTAG 245 provides guidance on both short-term and long-term (greater than
7 days) standards. STANAG 2885 provides guidance on the development, treatment, acceptability, and
provision of water in the field. QSTAG 479 specifies minimum requirements for conducting water quality
analyses. As a member of both organizations, the United States has agreed to accept and provide water
meeting these standards (refer to Tables 1-1 and 1-2) when participating in mutual logistical water support
under field conditions.
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.
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QM 4924
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