(ISO: Geneva) -- A suite of new ISO standards offers practical tools to address the challenge of effectively managing water resources so as to provide access to safe drinking water and sanitation for the world’s population.

ISO recently published three standards providing guidelines for services relating to drinking-water supply systems and wastewater sewage systems. These standards are designed to help water authorities and their operators achieve a level of quality that best meets the expectations of users and the principles of sustainable development.

“These ISO standards will play a primary role in promoting access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation through improved governance at all levels,” says ISO secretary-general Alan Bryden. “Their publication is a first step towards responding to the United Nations’ concern in recognizing that access to water is an essential human right.”

ISO 24510—“Activities relating to drinking water and wastewater services—Guidelines for the assessment and for the improvement of the service to users,” is a service-oriented standard that addresses the following topics:

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