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Which of the following pairs of parameters of drinking water and their desirable limits is correctly matched (as per IS 10500: 1991)?
Fluorides – 0.5 mg/l
Chlorides – 250 mg/l
Iron – 0.5 mg/l
pH – 7
Chlorides – 250 mg/l
According to IS 10500:1991, the desirable limit for chlorides in drinking water is 250 mg/l. While the cause for rejection limit is 1000 mg/l, 250 mg/l serves as the primary benchmark for potability before taste-based rejection begins.
IS 10500:1991 (Table 1: Drinking Water Specification)
According to IS 10500:1991, the desirable limit for chlorides in drinking water is 250 mg/l. While the cause for rejection limit is 1000 mg/l, 250 mg/l serves as the primary benchmark for potability before taste-based rejection begins.
CCl−≤250 mg/l(Desirable Limit)
CCl−≤1000 mg/l(Cause for Rejection)
Chlorides in water are typically present as sodium chloride or calcium chloride. Concentrations exceeding 250 mg/l impart a salty taste to water and may cause corrosion in metallic distribution pipes and structures, depending on the chemical composition of the pipe material.
Chlorides are non-toxic but affect the palatability of water.
High chloride levels increase the electrical conductivity of water, accelerating electrochemical corrosion.
The desirable limit is the threshold where water quality is considered aesthetically acceptable.
IS 10500 guidelines are essential for determining the necessity of treatment processes like reverse osmosis.
Maintains acceptable taste profile for human consumption.
Prevents premature corrosion of water supply infrastructure.
Does not address pathogenic contaminants (requires disinfection).
Does not account for non-chloride based dissolved solids (TDS).
Municipal water treatment quality control.
Assessment of raw water sources for potable supply.
Fluoride desirable limit is 1.0 mg/l (0.6-1.2 mg/l range), not 0.5 mg/l.
Iron desirable limit is 0.3 mg/l, not 0.5 mg/l.
pH desirable limit range is 6.5 to 8.5, not exactly 7.
Chlorides at 250 mg/l is the correct matching pair per the standard.
B is correct — The desirable limit for Chlorides in drinking water is 250 mg/l as specified in IS 10500:1991.
Always memorize the 'Desirable' and 'Cause for Rejection' limits for key parameters like pH, Fluoride, Iron, Chlorides, and TDS as they are high-frequency topics in civil engineering exams.