Potable water: Learn what makes water unsuitable for drinking

Learn what makes water unsuitable for drinking and how to treat water for potability. Explore the history and modern methods of water purification, from sedimentation and filtration to disinfection and desalination. What Is Potable Drinking Water? Potable drinking water, in its simplest definition, is water that is safe enough to be consumed by humans without causing immediate or long-term harm. Achieving potability requires rigorous treatment and testing to remove or neutralize harmful contaminants, ensuring it meets established health standards. The Essential Characteristics of Potable Water To be considered potable, water must meet several critical criteria relating to its physical, chemical, and ... The water which is not potable or fit for drinking is called raw water and is mostly from the sources like groundwater, rivers, and lakes. Sometimes the non-potable water may also taste normal just like potable water, but it can cause major health problems. People in developed countries don’t know the source of the water. Tap water in Dubai is supplied by the government authority called DEWA and meets all international standards for potable water, which is a fancy way of saying drinking water.