1 GCC STANDARDIZATION ORGANIZATION (GSO)  
 
 
 
Draft: final  
 
GSO5/ DS/ …/ 2008  
 
 
 
 
 
Unbottled drinking water  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prepared by  
The Technical Gulf Committee for Food and Agricultural Product  Standards   
 
 
 
 
This document is a draft for a Gulf standard and it is being circulated to solicit  comments and 
views. It is therefore liable to change and alteration and should not  be referred to as a Gulf 
Standard until approved by the Board of GCC.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
ICS: 67.13.06  
  2  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreword  
 
 
The Standardization Organ ization for GCC (GSO) is a regional organization 
which  consists of the national standard bodies of GCC Member States.  
 
One of the GSO 's main functions is to issue Gulf Standard s/Technical 
Regulation s through specialized technical committees (TCs).  
 
Through  the technical program of Committee TC No . (5) “Technical  Gulf 
Committee for Food and Agricultur al Product Standards ”, the GSO  has updated 
GSO  Standard No. 149/2000 “Unbottled drinking water ”. The draft standard has 
been  prepared by ( The State of Qatar).  
 
This standard was approved as a Gulf Technical Regulation by the GSO Board 
of Directors at its meeting No…../………..held on / / H,     /     / 
 
The approved standard will replace and supersede Standard No. (149/2000) . 
  
 
Unbottled drinking water  
 
1. Area  and scope of application  
 
This Gulf Standard applies to unbottled drinking water.  
 
2. Complementary resources  
 
2.1 GSO 9 “Passports of Packed Food Products” . 
 
2.2 GSO 111 “Drinking and Mineral Water Testing  Methods – Part 1: Sampling” . 
 
2.3 GSO 112 “Drinking  and Mineral Water Testing  Methods – Part 2: Assessment of 
Natural Properties” . 
 
2.4 GSO 378 “Drinking and Mineral Water Testing  Methods – Part 3: Routine 
Microbiological Tests” . 
 
2.5 GSO 818 “Drinking and Mineral Water Testing  Methods – Part 15: Non-routi ne 
Microbiological Tests” . 
 
2.6 Accredited Gulf Standards pertaining to “ Chemical  Testing Methods of Drinking and 
Mineral Water”.  
 
 
3. Definitions  
 
3.1 Unbottled drinking water:  
 
Water fit for human consumption supplied to consumers by means of a public or  
limited distribution network, from wells, springs or any other source of surface water 
used for drinking, which is subject to all specifications set forth in this Standard.  
 
3.2 Public water distribution network: a network supplying consumers with water f it for 
human consumption, which has more than fifteen connections and includes collection, 
treatment, storage and distribution of drinking water from source to consumers.  
 
3.3 Limited distribution network: a network for supplying consumers with water fit f or 
human consumption which has fewer than fifteen connections.  
 
3.4 Artesian water: water obtained from a well built in an underground water  reservoir , in 
which  the water surface  level is slightly above the surface level of the under ground 
water reservoir.  Artesian water is drawn by means of external force supported by 
natural underground pressure, in so far as such measures do not alter physical 
properties, composition o r quality of the water.  
 Gulf Standard   GSO 149/2008  
 4 3.5 Well water: water obtained from an opening which has been drilled or dug or 
constructed  in any other way in the ground and which  reaches the underground layer 
containing the water . 
 
3.6 Spring water: water flowing naturally from an underground crack to the ground 
surface, which is collected only at the spring or through the crack  which reaches the 
under ground layer  feeding the spring . This requires the existence of a natural force 
making the water flow to the surface through the natural opening. It is also necessary 
to mark the spring site.  
 
3.7 Surface water: rai nwater collected in valleys or water dams or in water tanks or 
reservoirs , used for drinking.  
 
3.8 Water source: source from which water is obtained, whether an Artesian or dug well or 
a spring or a public or private water distribution system or any other source containing 
water fit for human consumption.  
 
4. Treatment procedures:  
 
4.1 A water source shall be accredited by competent official authorities after the 
completion of surveys and analyses  to confirm that it is fit for use.  
 
4.2 The water treatment procedure, whether chemical, physical, thermal, separate or in 
combination with others, shall be capable of destroying microbes and the treated 
unbottled drinking water shall be in conformity with organic and microbiological 
properties defined in Sections 5.8 and 5.9.  
 
4.3 Free residual  chlorine in unbottled drinking water shall be sufficient to kill all 
microbes in it but may not exceed 0 .5 ppm  after staying at least for 30 minutes at a pH 
value of less than 5.  
 
4.5 The chlorine content shall be increased in case of epidemics or in special 
circumstances upon a decision by the Ministry of Health or of competent authorities.  
 
5. Properties  
 
Unbottled drinking water shall have the following properties:  
 
5.1 Quality -related properties:  
 
5.2.1  Drinking water may  not contain any substances affecting its colour, taste, odour  or 
appearance. It shall also be totally free of any extraneous substances or flaws 
perceptible with the naked eye, such as soil, dust, threads, hair or other flaws.  
 
5.2.2  The pH value of unbot tled drinking water shall range between 6.5 and 8. 
 
5.2.3  The content of solid  substances soluble in unbottled drinking water shall range 
between 100 and 1000 ppm.  
 Gulf Standard   GSO 149/2008  
 5 5.2 Permitted levels of chemical components affecting health in drinking water are shown 
in Tables 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 . 
 
Table 1  
Chemical components  
 
Component  Maximum level(in ppm)  Comments  
Arsenic  0.01  
Barium  0.7  
Boron  0.5  
Fluoride  1.5  
Chromium  0.05 total chromium  
Manganese  0.4 
Molybdenum  0.07 
Selenium  0.01 This content affects the appearance, taste 
and odour of water  
Iodine  0.015   
 
1) The m inimum concentration of fluoride added to unbottled drinking water according 
to the daily atmospheric temperature shall be calculated as follows:  
 
   0.34 
 Fluoride =  -------  
    d 
 
where:  
               9  
d = 0.038 + [0.0062 x (daily atmospheric temperature in centigrade x ----- +  32)]  
                5  
 
Table 2  
Chemical components from industrial sources and human household waste  
 
Component  Maximum level  Comments  
Inorganic components:  ppm   
Cadmium  0.003   
Cyanide  0.07  
Mercury  0.001  Total organic and inorganic 
mercury  
Organic components  µg/l Comments  
Benzene  10  
Carbon tetrachloride  4  
1,2 -Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate  8  Gulf Standard   GSO 149/2008  
 6  
1,4 -Dichlor obenzene  1000   
1,2 -Dichlor oethane   300  
1,1-Dichlor oethylene -1.1 30  
1,2-Dichloroethylene  50  
Dichloromethane  20  
4,1-Dioxin  50  
EDTA  600 Used as free acid   
Ethylbenzene  300  
Hexachlorobutadiene  0.6  
Yacetid acid  200  
Pentachlorovinyl  9  
Styrene  20  
Tetrachloroethane  40  
Toluene  700  
Trichloroethane  20  
Zeoline  500  
 
Table 3  
Chemical components from agricultural activities  
 
Component  Maximum level  Comments  
Chemical components  ppm   
Nitrate (NO 3) 50 Short -term exposure  
Nitrate (NO 2) 3 Short -term exposure  
Nitrate (NO 2) 0.2 Long -term e xposure  
Residual agricultural insecticides  µg/l Comments  
Alachlor  20  
Dicarb  10 Applies to dicarb sulfoxide and 
dicarb sulfone  
Aldrine and dialdrine  0.03  
Atrazine  2  
Carbofuran  7  
Chlordane  0.2  
Chlorotoluron  30  Gulf Standard   GSO 149/2008  
 7 Sianazin  0.6  
2,3 Dichlorophenox -yacetic acid  30  
2,4 – DB 90  
2,1 Dibromo -3-chloropropane  1  
2,1 Dibromoethane  0.4  
2.1 Dichloropropane  40  
3,1 Dichloropropane  20  
Dichlorobrob  100  
Dimethoate  6  
Andrine  0.6  
Phenobrob  9  
Isoproturon  9  
Lindane  2  
MCBA  2  
Microbrob  10  
Metoxychlor  20  
Metolachlor  10  
Molinat e 6  
Pendimethaline  20  
Simazine  2  
4,2,5 T  9  
Terbuthylazine  7  
Trifluoraline  20  
 
Table 4  
Chemical components used in treatment of drinking water and related components  
 
Component  Maximum level  Comments  
Purifi cation substances  ppm   
Chlorine  5 To achieve purification effects, 
the residual free chlorine 
concentration must reach ≤ 0.5 
ppm after 30 minutes of contact 
at pH >8  
Monochloramine  3  
Derivatives of purification substances  µg/l Comments  Gulf Standard   GSO 149/2008  
 8 Bromate  10  
Dichloromethane bromate  60  
Bromoform  100  
Chlorite  700  
Chlorate  700  
Chloroform  300  
Cyanogen chloride  70  
Dibromoacetonitrile  70  
Dibromochloromethane  100  
Dichloroacetate  50  
Dichloroacetonitrile  20  
Monochloroacetate  20  
Trichloroacetate  200  
4,2 – 6 Trichlorophenol  200  
Trihalomethane  1  
Contaminants from treatment chemicals  µg/l Comments  
Acrylamide  0.5  
Epichlorohydrin  0.4  
Contaminants from pipes and equipment  µg/l Comments  
Antimony  20  
Benzo [alpha] benzene  0.7  
Copper  1000   
Lead 10  
Nickel  70  
Vinyl chloride  0.3  
 
Table 5  
Residues of insecticides used for public health purposes  
 
Residues of insecticides used for public 
health purposes  µg/l Comments  
Chlorpirifos  30  
DDT and substitutes   1  
Permethrin  300  
Pyriproxyfen  300  Gulf Standard   GSO 149/2008  
 9 Table 6  
Toxic substances  
 
Toxic substance  µg/l 
Micrositin LR  1 
 
5.3 Radiation properties  
 
5.3.1  The c oncentration of the radiation activity of radionuclides  in drinking water must be 
in conformity with Table 7 and radionuclide  components must be in con formity with 
Table 8.  
 
Table 7: Radionuclides  
 
Radionuclide  Bq/l Radionuclide  Bq/l Radionuclide  Bq/l 
Hydrogen 3  10000  Cobalt 58  100 Radium 224  1 
Beryllium 7  10000  Cobalt 60  100 Radium 225  1 
Carbon 14  100 Nickel 59  1000  Radium 226  1 
Sodium 22  100 Nickel  63 1000  Radium 228  0.1 
Phosphorus 32  100 Zinc 65  100 Molybdenum 93  100 
Phosphorus 33  1000  Arsenic 73  1000  Molybdenum 99  100 
Sulphur 35  100 Arsenic 74  100 Technetium 96  100 
Chloride 36  100 Arsenic 76  100 Technetium 97  1000  
Cadmium 45  100 Arsenic 77  1000 Technetium 99  100 
Cadmium 47  100 Selenium 75  100 Ruthenium 97  1000  
Scandium 46  100 Brome 82  100 Ruthenium 103  100 
Scandium 47  100 Rubidium  86 100 Ruthenium 106  10 
Scandium 48  100 Strontium 85  100 Radium 105  1000  
Vanadium 48  100 Strontium 89  100 Palladium 103  1000  
Chromium 51  10000  Strontium 90  10 Silver  105 100 
Manganese 52  100 Yttrium 90  100 Silver  110 100 
Manganese 53  10000  Yttrium 91  100 Silver 111 100 
Manganese 54  100 Zirconium 93  100 Cadmium 109  100 
Iron 55 1000  Zirconium 95  100 Cadmium 11 0 100 
Iron 59 100 Niobium 93  1000  Indrium 111  1000  
Cobalt 56  100 Niobium 94  100 Indrium 114  100 
Cobalt 57  100 Niobium 95  100   
Tin 113 100 Uranium 237  100 Osmium 191  100 
Tin 125 100 21 Uranium 238  10 Osmium 193  100 
Antimony 122  100 Lanthanum 140  100 Iridium 190  100 
Antimony 124  100 Sirium 139  1000  Iridium 192  100 
Antimony 125  100 Sirium 141  100 Platinum 191  1000  
Tellurium 123  100 Sirium 143  100 Platinum 193  1000  
Tellurium 127  1000  Sirium 144  10 Gold  198 100 
Tellurium 129  1000  Niobium 147  100 Gold  199 1000  
Tellurium 131  1000  Promethium 147  1000  Mercury 197  1000  
Tellurium 132  100 Promethium 149  100 Mercury 203  100 
Iodine 125 10 Samarium 151  1000  Thallium 200  1000  
Iodine 126  10 Samarium 153  100 Thallium 201  1000  
Iodine 129  1000  Erbium 152  100 Thallium 202  1000  
Iodine 131  10 Erbium 154  100 Thallium 204  100 
Strontium 129  1000  Erbium 155  1000  Lead 203  1000  Gulf Standard   GSO 149/2008  
 10 Strontium 131  1000  Gadolinium 153  1000  Bismuth 206  100 
Strontium 132  100 Terbium 160  100 Bismuth 207  100 
Strontium 134  10 Erbium 169  1000  Bismuth 210  100 
Strontium 135  100 Thulium 171  1000  Lead 210  0.1 
Strontium 136  100 Ytterbium 1751 1000  Polonium 210  0.1 
Strontium 137  10 Tanta bium 182 100 Radium 223  1 
Barium 131  1000  Tungsten 181  1000  Chromium 242  10 
Barium 140  100 Tungsten 185  1000  Chromium 243  1 
Uranium 235  1 Rhenium 186  100 Chromium 24 4 1 
Uranium 236  1 Osmium 185  100 Chromium 245  1 
Thorium 227  10 Uranium 234  10 Chromium 246  1 
Thorium 228  1 Niobium 237  1 Chromium 247  1 
Thorium 229  0.1 Niobium 239  100 Chromium 248  0.1 
Thorium 230  1 Plutoni um 236  1 Berkelium2 249 100 
Thorium 231  1000  Plutonium 237  1000  Californium 246  100 
Thorium 232  1 Plutonium 238  1 Californium 247  10 
Thorium 234  100 Plutonium 239  1 Californium 24 9 1 
Protactinium 230  100 Plutonium 240  1 Californium 250  1 
Protactinium 231  0.1 Plutonium 241  10 Californium 251  1 
Protactinium 233  100 Plutonium 242  1 Californium 252  1 
Uranium 230  1 Plutonium 244  1 Californium 253  100 
Uranium 231  1000  Americium 241  1 Californium 254  1 
Uranium 232  1 Americium 242  1000  Einsteinium  253 10 
Uranium 233  1 Americium 243  1 Einsteinium 254  10 
 
 
Table 8  
Radioactive components in drinking water  
 
Radiation  Maximum limit (bq/l)  
Alpha radiation - total  0.5 
Beta radiation - total  1 
 
If the total alpha and beta radiation exceeds the limits set out in Table 8, an examination may 
be carried out to define each radionuclide  and its radiation and to compare the results 
according to Table 7 with the following equation:  
 
Radiation value of the relevant radionuclide  in drinking water  
-------------- ----------------------------------------------------------  
Maximum radiation value of such radionuclide  
 
If the total radiation dose is equal to ≥ 0.1 mi llisievert s per year, the drinking water shall be fit 
for consumption; if the total radiation dose is e qual to < 0.1 millisievert s per year, it is 
possible to check whether there anything exists that would justify taking corrective measures 
to reduce such dose.  
 
                                                
1 Note from the DGT : The freelance translator who produced this translation pointed out that there seemed to be 
a typing error in this par t of the Arabic original.  
2 Note from the DGT : The freelance translator who produced this translation pointed out that there seemed to be 
a typing error in this part of the Arabic original.   
Σ Gulf Standard   GSO 149/2008  
 11 5.3.1  The concentration of the radiation activity of radon in drinking water may not exceed 
100 bq/l. 
 
 
5.4 Organic (biological) properties  
 
Unbottled drinking water must be totally free of any algae, fungi and insects and of 
their eggs,  spores or parts as well of any protozoa, including amoeba.  
 
5.5 Microbiological properties  
 
5.5.1  Unbottled drinki ng water must be totally free of microbes causing diseases, fecal 
microbes and viruses detrimental to human health.  
 
5.5.2 Treated water entering public distribution systems  
 
Any 100 ml of the tested sample of water entering a public distribution system mu st be 
totally free of any Escherichia coli and thermopile coliform group  bacteria.  
 
5.5.3  Treated water in public distribution systems  
 
5.5.3.1  Any 100 ml of the tested sample of water in a public distribution system must be 
totally free of any of the Esch erichia coli and thermopile coliform  group bacteria.  
 
5.5.3.2  Any 100 ml of the tested sample of water in a public distribution system must be 
totally free of any bacteria from the coliform group. In case of major supply where a 
large number of samples are tested, 95% of samples tested in a year must be free of 
coliform bacteria.  
 
6. Sampling  
 
Samples shall be taken in accordance with the Gulf Standard referred to in Section 2.1.  
 
7. Examination and testing methods  
 
Samples taken in accordance with Section 6 shall be subject to all tests necessary to 
determine their conformity with this Standard.  
 
7.1 Routine and non -routine microbiological tests shall be carried out in accordance with 
the Gulf Standard referred to in Section s 2.3 and 2.4  
 
7.2 Biological tes ts shall be carried out in accordance with the Gulf Standard referred to in 
Section 2. 2. 
 
7.3 Chemical tests shall be carried out in accordance with the Gulf Standard referred to in 
Section 2.5.  
 
(List of technical terms in  Arabic and their English equival ents)  
References  
 Gulf Standard   GSO 149/2008  
 12 Guiding for drinking water quality  
Third Ed. Vol. 1  
Recommendations  
World Health Organization 2004