What does potable mean?

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The term "potable" directly refers to water that is safe to drink. It implies that the water meets health standards that make it suitable for human consumption, without posing any health risk due to contaminants or pollutants. The concept of potability encompasses various factors including the absence of harmful bacteria, chemicals, and other hazardous elements that could lead to illness when ingested.

In discussions about drinking water, the focus on potability is crucial since it ensures the safety and health of individuals consuming it. Standards for potable water are often established by health organizations and environmental regulatory agencies to ensure public health protection.

Understanding the distinction is important because water that is not classified as potable may have high levels of minerals or other characteristics that make it undesirable or potentially harmful to consume.

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