Application of water quality indices in integrated water quality assessment:a review of recent studies

Integrated water quality assessment is designed to present the condition of water quality and make sensible conclusion based on the data of surveillances. A great number of models have been reported to be used in the integrated water quality assessment. The methods based on failed parameters against water quality standards,conventional water quality indices, multiple statistic evaluation methods,and fuzzy mathematical evaluation methods were reviewed,and the principle,range of application, benefits and disadvantages of these methods were compared also. Meanwhile,on the bases of metrology retrospect, the prospects and challenges for integrated water quality assessments in researching the relationship between drinking water and health were discussed.