Potable

Potable is an adjective describing water that is safe for human consumption. The term distinguishes drinkable water from sources that are not suitable for drinking, and it is commonly used in public health, water utilities, and regulation to indicate quality suitable for everyday use.

Standards and testing: International guidelines, such as those published by the World Health Organization, inform national standards and regulations. In many countries, drinking water quality is enforced by laws and agencies (for example, the U.S. EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act or the European Union’s Drinking Water Directive). Criteria typically cover microbiological safety (limits on pathogens and indicators like E. coli), chemical composition (limits for metals, nitrates, solvents, and organic contaminants), and physical properties (turbidity, color, taste, odor). Water is deemed potable only after appropriate treatment and ongoing monitoring.

Sources and treatment: Potable water can originate from groundwater, surface water, or treated wastewater where permitted. Treatment commonly includes coagulation and flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection (chlorine, chloramine, ozone, or UV). In addition, distribution system integrity, storage, and protective measures against contamination are essential to maintain potability.

Challenges and usage: In practice, potable water must be safe and acceptable to consumers, though palatability is a separate consideration. Challenges include aging infrastructure, variability in source quality, and emerging contaminants. The term is widely used in law, engineering, and public health to denote water that meets defined safety and quality criteria for drinking.

Etymology: Potable derives from Latin potabilis, meaning drinkable.