Safeguarding Sip: Drinking Water Quality Regulation, Monitoring and Surveillance in Latin America and the Caribbean

Access to basic water services has improved in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), yet ensuring safe drinking water remains a critical challenge with significant health, social, and economic implications. Strong institutional capacity, clear regulations, and effective monitoring are essential to guarantee water quality. While WHO guidelines provide a global framework, adherence across LAC varies widely, with limited regional studies assessing alignment. Existing research highlights inconsistencies in regulated parameters and enforcement mechanisms, underscoring gaps in institutional capacity. This report offers a comprehensive, updated analysis of national drinking water quality standards in 15 LAC countries, comparing their alignment with WHO guidelines from 2008 and 2022. Unlike previous studies, it systematically examines all parameters and maximum allowable values, integrates legal timelines, and evaluates six key governance mechanisms. The findings provide a regional overview of regulatory convergence and implementation challenges, offering policy recommendations to strengthen water quality governance and advance sustainable development in LAC.