The US Environmental Protection Agency lists several parameters, including color, that can contribute to the appearance of water in its National Secondary Drinking Water Standards.1 Table 2110:1 lists these secondary maximum contaminant levels (SMCLs), as well as guidance criteria from the World Health Organization, the European Union, Canada, and India. These parameters do not necessarily affect health, but can be used to understand contaminants that negatively affect the appearance of water. The parameters are assigned Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels, many of which are currently in need of review.2
This version is an update to the 24th edition of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater and was posted online April 18, 2025.
2110 APPEARANCE
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CITATION
Standard Methods Committee of the American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association, and Water Environment Federation. 2110 appearance
In: Standard Methods For the Examination of Water and Wastewater. Lipps WC, Baxter TE, Braun-Howland E, editors. Washington DC: APHA Press.
DOI: 10.2105/SMWW.2882.016