本文分为两部分。第一部分概述了欧洲共同体（EC）成员国要求的饮用水标准。第二部分考虑:在多大程度上达到了要求的标准，目前在达到标准方面存在的一些问题，以及未来可能的发展。本文试图客观地概述这一立场，但它显然反映了作者的观点。因此，第一部分首先概述英格兰和威尔士的供水组织。

This paper is in two parts. Part I summarizes drinking water standards required in the Member States of the European Community (EC). Part II considers: how far the standards required have been met, some current problems in meeting the standards, and likely future developments. This paper seeks objectively to outline the position in the EC, but it obviously reflects the author's perspective. For this reason, Part I begins with a summary of the organization of water supply in England and Wales.