Epidemics caused by contamination of drinking water supplied by public water supply systems in terms of current legislation.

<bold>Objectives: </bold>This paper describes and comments on contemporary legislation concerning prevention of epidemics caused by contaminated drinking water from public water supplies in the Czech Republic.<bold>Methods: </bold>Suggestions are made for removing existing legislative shortcomings, clarifying diction of existing laws and expanding sanctions and penalties for health injury caused by providers and operators of public drinking water.<bold>Results: </bold>The author reflects on improving legislation concerning the compensation of victims of contaminated water with reference to the aftermath of a local epidemic in the Dejvice District of Prague.<bold>Conclusion: </bold>The issues raised should be addressed since better legislation can significantly contribute to the limitation of water-borne epidemics and their consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]