Which statement defines potable water?

Which statement defines potable water?

• A. The molecular formula for water is HO2.
• B. Potable water means the water is free of disease-causing organisms, has a chlorine residual, and is safe for human consumption.
• C. Surface water comes from rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.
• D. The state must be notified about changes to public water systems involving water source, water quality, and health hazards.

Answer: (B)

Potable water is water that is safe for people to drink. The statement that defines it as water free of disease-causing organisms, with a chlorine residual, and safe for human consumption aligns with how drinking water is treated and maintained: pathogens are removed or inactivated, and a chlorine residual is kept in the distribution system to provide ongoing protection against contamination as water moves to consumers. The other ideas don’t describe what potable water is: one option uses an incorrect chemical formula for water (H2O is the real formula, not HO2), another talks about where surface water comes from rather than its safety, and the last refers to regulatory notification requirements rather than drinkability.

Potable water is water that is safe for people to drink. The statement that defines it as water free of disease-causing organisms, with a chlorine residual, and safe for human consumption aligns with how drinking water is treated and maintained: pathogens are removed or inactivated, and a chlorine residual is kept in the distribution system to provide ongoing protection against contamination as water moves to consumers. The other ideas don’t describe what potable water is: one option uses an incorrect chemical formula for water (H2O is the real formula, not HO2), another talks about where surface water comes from rather than its safety, and the last refers to regulatory notification requirements rather than drinkability.