What is the definition of potable water?

The definition of potable water is that it is water that is safe to drink. This means that it meets health standards for human consumption and does not contain harmful levels of contaminants or pathogens that could cause illness. Potable water can come from various sources, including rivers, lakes, wells, and springs, but it must be treated and tested to ensure its safety for drinking purposes.

While pure water without any dissolved substances may sound ideal, pure water can actually be unsafe if it lacks minerals that are essential for human health. Therefore, simply being "pure" does not equate to being potable. Water from natural springs can be potable, but not all spring water is necessarily treated to meet safety standards. In addition, high mineral content does not inherently indicate that water is safe to drink, as excessively high levels of certain minerals can also be harmful. Thus, the most accurate definition centers on the safety aspect of drinking water.