WATER
Water for human consumption
Water for human consumption, or else “potable” or “drinking“ water is the water intended for drinking, cooking, preparing and processing food, as well as for washing hands, utensils and food contact surfaces in general, regardless of its origin and the way in which it is brought and stored at the point of use (POU).
Drinking water must have appropriate physicochemical qualities and be free from microorganisms, parasites and substances, in numbers and concentrations which may be potentially harmful to human health.
Competent water suppliers, whether public or private, are legally expected to properly maintain water distribution networks, to provide a continuous supply of clean and safe drinking water throughout. Water quality has to be systematically monitored and verified by performing planned laboratory testing, at scheduled frequencies, on the basis of risk assessment.
“Food business operators” have, also, the legal obligation (EFET, No.: 4024 /16.03.2015) to monitor the domestic water network in their premises and to verify the quality of drinking water, also by laboratory testing. Tests are required at least once or twice a year to check for residual chlorine, pH and the following microbiological parameters:
| Escherichia coli | 0 in 100ml |
| Coliforms | 0 in 100ml |
| Enterococci | 0 in 100ml |
| Aerobic microorganisms @ 22+2℃ | Counts with no significant change |
| Aerobic microorganisms @ 36+2℃ | Counts with no significant change |
Water for human consumption
Water for human consumption, or else “potable” or “drinking“ water is the water intended for drinking, cooking, preparing and processing food, as well as for washing hands, utensils and food contact surfaces in general, regardless of its origin and the way in which it is brought and stored at the point of use (POU).
Drinking water must have appropriate physicochemical qualities and be free from microorganisms, parasites and substances, in numbers and concentrations which may be potentially harmful to human health.
Competent water suppliers, whether public or private, are legally expected to properly maintain water distribution networks, to provide a continuous supply of clean and safe drinking water throughout. Water quality has to be systematically monitored and verified by performing planned laboratory testing, at scheduled frequencies, on the basis of risk assessment.
“Food business operators” have, also, the legal obligation (EFET, No.: 4024 /16.03.2015) to monitor the domestic water network in their premises and to verify the quality of drinking water, also by laboratory testing. Tests are required at least once or twice a year to check for residual chlorine, pH and the following microbiological parameters:
| Escherichia coli | 0 in 100ml |
| Coliforms | 0 in 100ml |
| Enterococci | 0 in 100ml |
| Aerobic microorganisms @ 22+2°C | Counts with no significant change |
| Aerobic microorganisms @ 36+2°C | Counts with no significant change |
Wells, boreholes, tanks, cisterns
Water from wells, boreholes, tanks and cisterns may be additionally tested for pathogens, depending mainly on the intended use, whether it is for irrigation, livestock raising or other purposes.
Microbiological testing of water may be also required in order to register wells and boreholes with the National Register of Abstraction Points (NHSY).
Wells, boreholes, tankers, cisterns
Water from wells, boreholes, tankers and cisterns may be additionally tested for pathogens, depending mainly on the intended use, whether it is for irrigation, livestock raising or other purposes.
Microbiological testing of water may be also required in order to register wells and boreholes with the National Register of Abstraction Points (NHSY).
Pools and spas
Swimming in pools and spas are often blamed for spreading infectious agents and causing symptoms of gastroenteritis, dermatitis, otitis, conjunctivitis, etc.
To safeguard the health of the swimmers, pools and spas are expected to have continuous water cleaning and sanitation procedures in place which should be monitored to ensure that they work effectively. Regular collection and the microbiological testing of samples is also required and pool water samples shall conform to the following microbiological criteria (MD C1/443/1973):
| Aerobic microorganisms @ 37°C | <200 / ml |
| Coliforms | < 15 in 100ml |
| Escherichia coli | 0 in 100ml |
Criteria (limits) also apply with respect to the following physicochemical parameters:
- pH= 7.2 – 8.2
- Residual chlorine: 0,4 – 07 mg/l (DPD)
Additional information on regulations concerning public swimming pools, including those within tourist accommodation, may be found in Circular Δ1δ / ΓΠ.οικ.57290, 02.08.2019.
Pools and spas
Swimming in pools and spas are often blamed for spreading infectious agents and causing symptoms of gastroenteritis, dermatitis, otitis, conjunctivitis, etc.
To safeguard the health of the swimmers, pools and spas are expected to have continuous water cleaning and sanitation procedures in place which should be monitored to ensure that they work effectively. Regular collection and the microbiological testing of samples is also required and pool water samples shall conform to the following microbiological criteria (MD C1/443/1973):
| Aerobic microorganisms @ 37 °C | <200 / ml |
| Coliforms | < 15 in 100ml |
| Escherichia coli | 0 in 100ml |
Criteria (limits) also apply with respect to the following physicochemical parameters:
- pH= 7.2 – 8.2
- Residual chlorine: 0,4 – 07 mg/l (DPD)
Additional information on regulations concerning public swimming pools, including those within tourist accommodation, may be found in Circular Δ1δ / ΓΠ.οικ.57290, 02.08.2019.
Bathing waters
Bathing seawaters should conform to the following microbiological criteria:
| Escherichia coli | <250 in 100ml |
| Enterococci | < 100 in 100ml |
Compliance of consecutive samples to these criteria indicates bathing waters of “excellent quality”, whereas even an odd and marginal non-compliance should be investigated further, as it may suggest presence of wastewater and cross-contamination with pathogens.
Consecutive bathing water samples should be collected from the same, representative of the coastline, sampling point, using a specified protocol and at a given frequency of less than 30 days within a single “bathing season”, as this is determined each year by the competent authorities.
To participate in the Blue Flag Programmes, additional criteria may apply, which can be found in the following link: https://www.blueflag.gr/criteria/water-quality.
At SCIELAB we provide accredited services for water microbiological sampling and testing.
Bathing waters
Bathing seawaters should conform to the following microbiological criteria:
| Escherichia coli | <250 in 100ml |
| Enterococci | < 100 in 100ml |
Compliance of consecutive samples to these criteria indicates bathing waters of “excellent quality”, whereas even an odd and marginal non-compliance should be investigated further, as it may suggest presence of wastewater and cross-contamination with pathogens.
Consecutive bathing water samples should be collected from the same, representative of the coastline, sampling point, using a specified protocol and at a given frequency of less than 30 days within a single “bathing season”, as this is determined each year by the competent authorities.
To participate in the Blue Flag Programmes, additional criteria may apply, which can be found in the following link: https://www.blueflag.gr/criteria/water-quality.
At SCIELAB we provide accredited services for water microbiological sampling and testing.
