Aluminium sulphate is used worldwide in the treatment of drinking water to remove colour and cloudiness. Its use is accepted by the World Health Organisation.
Stringent standards for water quality apply to drinking water or water used in food production under the European Communities (Quality of Water intended for Human Consumption) Regulations, 1988, which were drawn up by the Department of the Environment to give legal effect to EC Directive 80/778. It is the Government's policy that the quality standards required by the Regulations will be met in full in all drinking water supplies at the earliest possible date.