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Sum parameter – Total Organic Carbon
TOC –Determination in drinking water
No. SCA-130-101
This list of indicator parameters also includes
Drinking water is one of the main important
and life-sustaining food stuffs and is essential the TOC value (total organic carbon), which
to the survival of all known organism. It is a has not been assigned a limiting value or
crucial component for metabolic processes criterion but can be considered as a
and serves as solvent for many bodily cautionary warning for action under unusual
solutes. Water for human consumption must circumstances. Another indicator parameter
be free from pathogens, pleasant to drink and included in the list is oxidizability. This is a
pure. Continuous monitoring is carried out measure for the sum of all chemically
according to European Drinking Water oxidizable organically bound compounds
Regulation to ensure the greatest possible present in water.
security With reference to drinking water limiting
values, this parameter is no cause for direct
health concern but can lead to regermination
or undesirable disinfection byproducts.
Oxidizability is proportional to the sum of
organically bound carbons that are
determined as DOC (dissolved organic
carbon) or TOC. Oxidizability can therefore
be replaced by the TOC parameter. The
frequency of determination of the parameter
indicators depends on the volume of water
that is produced or released in a water supply
area.
■ European Drinking Water Directive
The Directive is intended to protect human
health by laying down healthiness and purity
requirements which must be met by drinking
water within the European Union (EU).
The directive applies to all water intended for
human consumption apart from natural
mineral waters and water which are medicinal
products. ■ TOC determination in drinking water
The European drinking water directive When examining carbon compounds in
includes the category of indicator parameter drinking water, it is apparent that the amount
value specifications. These are not directly of inorganic carbons, such as carbonates and
linked to health problems but have an hydrogen carbonates, is much higher than
indicator function. the organic fraction.
