Differences in Water Quality Standards 2017 vs. 2023
In Indonesia, water quality regulations are continuously updated to protect public health and the environment. Two key regulations often compared are Minister of Health Regulation No. 32 of 2017 and Minister of Health Regulation No. 2 of 2023 on Environmental Health. Although article titles often mention “wastewater quality standards,” the main changes actually focus more on water quality standards (including drinking water), not industrial/domestic wastewater regulated by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK).
Here is a complete comparison in a simple and clear explanation.
What Is Regulated in Minister of Health Regulation No. 32 of 2017?
This regulation has a broad scope and covers various types of water for daily use and public facilities. Its purpose is to maintain overall environmental health.
Main coverage:
- Water for hygiene and sanitation (for example, clean water for washing and bathing).
- Swimming pools.
- Solus per aqua (hot spring baths).
- Public bathing facilities.
Monitored parameters include:
- Physical: Color, odor, taste, turbidity — water must appear clean and acceptable.
- Biological/Microbiological: Free from disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and parasites (e.g., E. coli, coliform).
- Chemical: Free from heavy metals, pesticides, or hazardous toxic substances.
- Radioactive: Limits on radioactive exposure (rare but important for long-term safety).
This standard is more flexible because it applies to many types of water usage, not only water intended for direct consumption.
What Changed in Minister of Health Regulation No. 2 of 2023?
This new regulation replaces Regulation No. 32/2017 and several previous regulations (including Regulation No. 492/2010 on drinking water). Its focus is very specific: only drinking water that is safe for direct consumption.
Key changes:
- Narrowed scope → No longer regulates swimming pools, public bathing facilities, or sanitation water. It applies exclusively to drinking water.
- Much stricter standards compared to before, especially for microbiological and chemical parameters, including lower contaminant thresholds to reduce health risks.
- Main objective: Ensure that every drop of drinking water consumed by the public is truly safe, reducing the risk of infectious diseases (diarrhea, cholera, typhoid) and long-term exposure to hazardous substances.
Brief Comparison: 2017 vs 2023
| Aspect | Minister of Health Regulation No. 32 of 2017 | Minister of Health Regulation No. 2 of 2023 |
| Main Focus | Various types of water (sanitation, swimming pools, public baths) | Drinking water only (direct consumption) |
| Scope | Broad, multi-purpose | Narrow, specific to drinking water |
| Level of Strictness | General standards, more tolerant | Much stricter (some parameter limits lowered) |
| Parameters | Physical, biological, chemical, radioactive - for multiple uses | Same categories, but only for drinking water + stricter limits |
| Impact | Protects public health in general facilities | Primary priority: safety of drinking water for the public |
Why Is the 2023 Standard Stricter and What Is Its Impact?
The government aims to minimize health risks from contaminated water. Under the new regulation:
- The risk of waterborne diseases is significantly reduced.
- Water providers (municipal water companies, refill depots, bottled water industries) must upgrade their clean water treatment systems to meet lower thresholds.
- Indirectly encourages better wastewater management, as waste from drinking water production processes must also be treated to prevent contamination of raw water sources.
Positive impacts for the public:
- Safer drinking water → Reduced cases of waterborne diseases.
- Improved national drinking water quality.
- Better environmental protection as wastewater treatment standards are indirectly strengthened.
Important note: If you are looking for wastewater discharge standards (disposal into rivers or drainage systems), these are regulated separately by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), such as Regulation No. P.68/2016 for domestic wastewater or specific industrial regulations. Ministry of Health regulations focus more on public health aspects.
