Potable Water
Generally potable waters are defined as water which is intended for human consumption.
This water can be used for drinking, washing or showering and in the manufacturing of food product and drinks. Above all, the water should be safe to use and pleasing to the nose, eye and taste with no suspended matter, harmful chemicals or pathogenic micro-organisms.
The safety of water as it relates to public health is determined by its physical appearance, and the chemical and microbiological content, of these, the microbiological quality is seen as the most important.
Contamination of drinking water by micro-organisms is usually attributed directly or indirectly by animal or human faeces. These organisms will include bacteria, viruses and protozoa and the diseases that they cause vary from very mild to severe, and in some cases fatal. Those with the greatest risk are the very young, the sick and the elderly.
To assess whether water has been contaminated, indicator micro-organisms are tested and the two most common type are faecal coliforms and E. coli). This group of bacteria are present in high numbers within the faeces of warm blooded animals and its presence in water is undesirable.
The presence of coliforms means that the water is probably contaminated by faecal matter. Coliforms should not be detected in potable waters and their presence poses a serious health concern.
Quality potable water (i.e. drinking water) is as a general rule should be readily available throughout developed countries from various water authorities who closely scrutinise and monitor their product to ensure that it is safe to the consumer.
