> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://guidelines.nhmrc.gov.au/australian-drinking-water-guidelines/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://guidelines.nhmrc.gov.au/australian-drinking-water-guidelines/intro.md).

# Introduction

- [Chapter 1: Introduction](https://guidelines.nhmrc.gov.au/australian-drinking-water-guidelines/intro/chapter-1.md)
- [1.1 Guiding principles](https://guidelines.nhmrc.gov.au/australian-drinking-water-guidelines/intro/chapter-1/1.1-guiding-principles.md)
- [1.2 About the Guidelines](https://guidelines.nhmrc.gov.au/australian-drinking-water-guidelines/intro/chapter-1/1.2-about-the-guidelines.md)
- [1.2.1 Scope of the Guidelines](https://guidelines.nhmrc.gov.au/australian-drinking-water-guidelines/intro/chapter-1/1.2-about-the-guidelines/1.2.1-scope-of-the-guidelines.md)
- [1.2.2 Purpose of the Guidelines](https://guidelines.nhmrc.gov.au/australian-drinking-water-guidelines/intro/chapter-1/1.2-about-the-guidelines/1.2.2-purpose-of-the-guidelines.md)
- [1.2.3 Structure of the Guidelines](https://guidelines.nhmrc.gov.au/australian-drinking-water-guidelines/intro/chapter-1/1.2-about-the-guidelines/1.2.3-structure-of-the-guidelines.md)
- [1.3 Water quality characteristics](https://guidelines.nhmrc.gov.au/australian-drinking-water-guidelines/intro/chapter-1/1.3-water-quality-characteristics.md)
- [1.3.1 Introduction](https://guidelines.nhmrc.gov.au/australian-drinking-water-guidelines/intro/chapter-1/1.3-water-quality-characteristics/1.3.1-introduction.md)
- [1.3.2 Health-based targets](https://guidelines.nhmrc.gov.au/australian-drinking-water-guidelines/intro/chapter-1/1.3-water-quality-characteristics/1.3.2-guideline-values.md)
- [1.3.3 Microbial health-based targets](https://guidelines.nhmrc.gov.au/australian-drinking-water-guidelines/intro/chapter-1/1.3-water-quality-characteristics/1.3.3-microbial-health-based-targets.md)
- [1.3.4 Physical and chemical guideline values](https://guidelines.nhmrc.gov.au/australian-drinking-water-guidelines/intro/chapter-1/1.3-water-quality-characteristics/1.3.4-physical-and-chemical-guideline-values.md)
- [1.3.5 Radiological screening and reference values](https://guidelines.nhmrc.gov.au/australian-drinking-water-guidelines/intro/chapter-1/1.3-water-quality-characteristics/1.3.5-radiological-screening-and-reference-values.md)
- [1.4 Community consultation](https://guidelines.nhmrc.gov.au/australian-drinking-water-guidelines/intro/chapter-1/1.4-community-consultation.md)
- [1.5 Development of the Guidelines](https://guidelines.nhmrc.gov.au/australian-drinking-water-guidelines/intro/chapter-1/1.5-development-of-the-guidelines.md)
- [1.5.1 Acknowledgments](https://guidelines.nhmrc.gov.au/australian-drinking-water-guidelines/intro/chapter-1/1.5-development-of-the-guidelines/1.5.1-acknowledgments.md)
- [1.6 Future revisions of the Guidelines](https://guidelines.nhmrc.gov.au/australian-drinking-water-guidelines/intro/chapter-1/1.6-future-revisions-of-the-guidelines.md)
- [1.7 References](https://guidelines.nhmrc.gov.au/australian-drinking-water-guidelines/intro/chapter-1/1.7-references.md)