The drinking water is suitable for human consumption.
Drinking water is water suitable for consumption by humans . It is an odorless , tasteless and colorless liquid that can be drunk without limitations since it does not harm the body.
From the Latin word aqua , water is a substance made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. It is an essential element for life and the component present with the greatest extension on the surface of our planet. Drinkable , for its part, is that which can be drunk without health risks. This word has its etymological origin in the Latin potabis which, in turn, comes from the verb potare (translatable as "drink" ).
Drinking water characteristics
There are international regulations to analyze water and determine whether it is drinkable or not according to the minimum and maximum permitted quantities of minerals, particles, etc. At a general level, it is usually established that the pH of water intended for human consumption should be between 6.5 and 9.5 .
The high presence of nitrites, arsenic and phosphate, for example, can make the water no longer drinkable. Likewise, if water harbors viruses , bacteria, radioactive components, suspended sediments, organic elements or toxic products, it cannot be drunk either.
It is important for public health that drinking water comes out of the tap or faucet.
The purification process
Drinking water is the process that converts water into drinking water. It is possible to process the water of a river, a lake or a stream and, through various techniques (such as the application of ultraviolet rays or the addition of chlorine to eliminate contaminating substances), make it drinkable water.
Specifically, the task of water purification is based on several treatments such as the following:
- Prechlorination and flocculation . This process consists of adding chlorine to eliminate microorganisms that may exist in the water as well as other chemicals. In the same way, the so-called flocs will be formed.
- The decantation .
- Filtration , which consists of passing the water through certain filters in order to eliminate all the sand and other particles that it may have. The result will be that it will stop having a cloudy appearance.
- Chlorination and finally sending it to the network.
The importance of drinking water
Taking into account the importance of drinking water for the well-being and health of human beings, health authorities usually present guides to help ensure that those in charge of managing it can ensure that it is in the best conditions and can be drink safely. These important documents at an international level include the microbiological, chemical or radiological parameters that must be present, as well as the safety plans that must be respected, the goals that must be achieved or the microbiological information sheets that must be used for the best control possible.
It should not be forgotten that access to drinking water is essential for life. When a person drinks water that is not safe to drink, or cooks with it, they run the risk of contracting all kinds of diseases .