Which type of water is referred to as potable water?

Potable water is defined as water that is suitable for drinking and meets specific health and safety standards set by regulatory agencies. This type of water must be free of harmful contaminants and impurities, ensuring that it poses no risk to public health when consumed. In many places, potable water is subject to strict monitoring and testing to confirm that it complies with drinking water regulations.

While water sourced from rivers and lakes may be treated to meet potable standards, it does not automatically qualify as potable unless it has undergone appropriate treatment and testing. Similarly, water treated for industrial use, or recycled for irrigation, may serve their respective purposes effectively but do not meet the criteria to be classified as potable. Hence, the correct choice emphasizes the necessity for water to be free of impurities and compliant with health standards to be considered safe for consumption.