The maximum prescribed concentration of copper in drinking water is

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

BPSC AE Paper 3 (General Studies) 14 Oct 2022 Official Paper

Answer 1

The correct answer is 3 ppm

Key Points

The maximum prescribed concentration of copper in drinking water is 3 ppm.
Copper is an essential nutrient, but high levels can cause adverse health effects such as gastrointestinal distress and liver or kidney damage.
The guideline value is set to ensure the safety and health of the population, considering both the essentiality and toxicity of copper.
Various water quality standards, including those by the World Health Organization (WHO), often set similar limits for copper in drinking water.

Additional Information

Copper can enter drinking water through the corrosion of household plumbing systems and erosion of natural deposits.
It is recommended to run water for 15-30 seconds to flush out any copper that may have leached from pipes before using it for drinking or cooking.
Regular monitoring and testing of water sources are essential to ensure compliance with the prescribed concentration limits.
In case of high copper levels, water treatment methods such as reverse osmosis, distillation, or ion exchange can be used to reduce copper concentrations.