Japan, MOE publishes notice on revision of environmental standards for water pollution

On October 7, 2021, the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) published a public notice on the revision of environmental standards pertaining to water pollution in public water bodies and groundwater pollution.

According to this notice, among the environmental standards for the protection of human health, the standard value for hexavalent chromium was revised, and among the environmental standards for the preservation of the living environment, the parameter of total coliform was revised to coliform bacteria count as a new indicator of sanitary microorganisms. The effective date is April 1, 2022.

Revision on the standard values for hexavalent chromium

The standard values for hexavalent chromium in the environmental standards for the protection of human health related to water pollution in public waters and the environmental standards for water pollution in groundwater have been revised from the current 0.05 mg/L to 0.02 mg/L.

Revision on the environmental standards for coliform bacteria count

Total coliform was deleted from the item of the environmental standard for living environment items, and coliform bacteria count was newly added. The standard value was set based on the current classification of the category and the adaptability of its intended use.

The Press release of MOE can be viewed at the following URL.

Press release of MOE, “Revision of Environmental Standards for Water Pollution (Notice)”
https://www.env.go.jp/press/110052.html