The quality standard for public water supplies is based on the use of water for ________________.

The quality standard for public water supplies is based on the use of water for ________________.

• A. Irrigation
• B. Drinking
• C. Industrial use
• D. Recreation

Answer: (B)

Water quality standards for public supplies are built around protecting human health when the water is consumed. Since the primary purpose of a public water system is to provide safe drinking water, the standards focus on ingredients that affect health, plus taste, odor, and appearance to ensure people will actually drink it. Other uses like irrigation, industrial processes, or recreation have different requirements, but the public supply quality baseline is drinking water.

Water quality standards for public supplies are built around protecting human health when the water is consumed. Since the primary purpose of a public water system is to provide safe drinking water, the standards focus on ingredients that affect health, plus taste, odor, and appearance to ensure people will actually drink it. Other uses like irrigation, industrial processes, or recreation have different requirements, but the public supply quality baseline is drinking water.