On December 31, 2024, the Ministry of Health issued Circular No. 52/2024/TT-BYT, promulgating the National Technical Regulation QCVN 01-1:2024/BYT and stipulating the inspection and monitoring requirements for domestic water quality. This regulation, hereinafter referred to as the National Technical Regulation, sets the standards for clean water used for domestic purposes. 

This regulation is the updated of the previous National Technical Regulation on Domestic Water Quality, QCVN 01-1:2018/BYT, which was issued under Circular No. 41/2018/TT-BYT dated December 14, 2018, and later amended by Circular No. 26/2021/TT-BYT dated December 15, 2021. 

In addition to the entities covered under Circular No. 41/2018/TT-BYT, Circular No. 52/2024/TT-BYT expands its scope to include water users. These include agencies, organizations, enterprises, apartment complexes, collective housing areas, hospitals, schools, hotels, restaurants, and resorts with water supply storage facilities supplied by water providers. Furthermore, the regulation also applies to entities and households that self-extract water for domestic purposes. 

Compared to Circular No. 41/2018/TT-BYT, Circular No. 52/2024/TT-BYT introduces additional definitions, including water supply units, water users, internal monitoring, external monitoring, inspection, and supervision. 

Circular No. 52/2024/TT-BYT encourages water supply units that effectively manage water quality to reduce the frequency of internal monitoring (Points a and b, Clause 1, Article 4). The number of test samples is now more aligned with actual conditions: for water supply stations with a designed capacity of less than 1,000 m³/day, only two test samples are required; for those with a designed capacity greater than 1,000 m³/day, the number of samples is determined based on capacity, with an additional sample required for every 15,000 m³ increase in capacity (Point c, Clause 1, Article 4). Higher capacity and greater impact areas require more test samples. 

The circular also provides clearer regulations on the disclosure timeframe for internal and external monitoring results (within 3 to 20 working days). It specifies corrective actions for water quality incidents related to microbiological and physicochemical parameters. Additionally, it clarifies the evaluation criteria for household water sources in high-risk areas, the internal monitoring requirements for water users, and the specific responsibilities of water users, households, the Department of Health, the CDC, and district health centers. 

The National Technical Regulation on Domestic Water Quality (QCVN 01-1:2024/BYT) introduces several changes compared to QCVN 01-1:2018/BYT. Group A now consists of 10 parameters (total coliforms, thermotolerant E. coli or coliforms, color, odor, pH, turbidity, arsenic, free residual chlorine, permanganate, and ammonium), while Group B includes 89 parameters. Additionally, the regulation updates the limits of 11 parameters in accordance with WHO 2022 guidelines (total coliforms, ammonium, barium, boron, manganese, nitrate, nitrite, selenium, trichloroethene, pentachlorophenol, and formaldehyde). It also incorporates new testing methods as prescribed by regulations. 

This circular takes effect from July 1, 2025. 

See the full text of the Circular at the link: https://scem.gov.vn/vi/download/tieu-chuan/qcvn-01-1-2024-byt-quy-chuan-ky-thuat-quoc-gia-ve-chat-luong-nuoc-sach-su-dung-cho-muc-dich-sinh-hoat.html