Author(s)

Wafaa M. Hikal^1,2

¹Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, KSA.
²Water Pollution Research Department, Environmental Research Division, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt.

Water is life and access to clean drinking water is a fundamental human right. For human health, drinking water standards and guidelines have been developed to ensure their quality. Waterborne parasites are a great challenge and cause many diseases for humans. Thus, continuous monitoring of drinking water from the competent authorities in search of pollutants is required. The safety of drinking water for the growing population can be ensured by the correct use of water treatment technologies. Cryptosporidium is the first parasite to cause concern to health officials in the world. Also, Naegleria fowleri causes fatal cerebral infection, Acanthamoeba species that cause both cerebral and corneal disease; and Giardia which has heightened world concerns because of its severity. This study is based on highlighting on drinking water quality guidelines and standards published by the World Health Organization and some countries, especially Egypt. A growing concern globally after the scientists revealed the effects of polluted drinking water. So, a large number of the population is at risk of water pollution for the purpose of human access to clean drinking water and other uses.

Drinking Water, Standards, Acanthamoeba, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Naegleria

Hikal, W. (2020) Parasitic Contamination of Drinking Water and Egyptian Standards for Parasites in Drinking Water. Open Journal of Ecology, 10, 1-21. doi: 10.4236/oje.2020.101001.